Principal QA Specialist - Sterility Assurance

OXB; Oxford; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading viral vector CDMO in Oxford is seeking a Principal QA Specialist to maintain sterility assurance for aseptically manufactured products. The ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge of GMP, experience in aseptic manufacturing environments, and strong technical expertise in sterility assurance. This role involves defining and overseeing the sterility assurance strategy, promoting compliance, and managing audits. Join a company dedicated to delivering life-changing therapies worldwide.

Benefits

Competitive total reward packages

Wellbeing programmes

Career development opportunities

Supportive culture

State-of-the-art labs

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of GMP and sterile product manufacture.
• Proven skills in influencing people using negotiation.
• Strong technical expertise in sterility assurance.

Responsibilities

• Implement and oversee sterility assurance strategy.
• Promote compliance with sterility assurance regulations.
• Manage sterility assurance audits and inspections.

Skills

Knowledge of GMP

Negotiation skills

Technical expertise in sterility assurance

Interpersonal skills

Experience interacting with regulatory authorities

Education

BSc degree in Microbiology

Job description

Overview

Join Us in Changing Lives

At OXB, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We’re on a mission to enable life-changing therapies to reach patients around the world—and we’re looking for passionate individuals who embody our core values every day: Responsible, Responsive, Resilient, and Respectful.

We’re currently recruiting for a Principal QA Specialist – Sterility Assurance. This role is crucial for maintaining compliant operations and delivering high-quality products. As the Quality technical leader, the role focuses on aseptic processing, microbiology, depyrogenation, irradiation, and sterilisation. The primary duty is to maintain sterility assurance for aseptically manufactured sterile drug and viral vector products, requiring a deep understanding of cGMP regulations and their application in aseptic production environments.

Responsibilities

• Defining, implementing, and overseeing OXB’s sterility assurance strategy, including facility design, qualification, airflow/HEPA certification, media fills, environmental monitoring, container closure integrity, and cleaning/disinfection.
• Promoting compliance with sterility assurance regulations and best practices across the business.
• Supporting aseptic manufacturing and environmental monitoring for VS and VP operations, including contamination control documentation and aseptic fill guidance.
• Leading or supporting sterility assurance investigations, risk assessments, and validation activities.
• Driving continuous improvement in sterility assurance practices, processes, and systems, including adopting new regulations and technologies.
• Managing sterility assurance audits, inspections, and supplier quality oversight, including aseptic processing CMOs.

We are looking for

• Extensive knowledge of GMP, sterile product manufacture, and pharmaceutical regulations/standards.
• BSc degree in Microbiology or related field (advanced degree preferred)
• Proven skills in influencing people using negotiation and interpersonal skills to drive through project priority tasks to ensure on-time delivery of milestones.
• Proven experience in aseptic manufacturing environments (cleanrooms, isolators, sterility test isolators).
• Strong technical expertise in sterility assurance, contamination control, and cleanroom standards, with hands-on implementation experience.
• Experience in sterility assurance validation, product validation, and supplier quality management.
• Ability to interpret worldwide aseptic/sterility regulations into practical, compliant execution.
• Experience interacting with regulatory authorities during inspections.

About us

OXB is a quality and innovation-led viral vector CDMO with a mission to enable its clients to deliver life changing therapies to patients around the world. One of the original pioneers in cell and gene therapy, we have more than 25 years of experience in viral vectors; the driving force behind the majority of gene therapies.

OXB collaborates with some of the world’s most innovative pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, providing viral vector development and manufacturing expertise in lentivirus, adeno-associated virus (AAV) and adenoviral vectors. OXB’s world-class capabilities span from early-stage development to commercialisation. These capabilities are supported by robust quality-assurance systems, analytical methods, and depth of regulatory expertise.

Why Join Us

• Competitive total reward packages
• Wellbeing programmesthat support your mental and physical health
• Career development opportunitiesto help you grow and thrive
• Supportive, inclusive, and collaborative culture
• State-of-the-art labs and manufacturing facilities
• A company that lives its values:Responsible, Responsive, Resilient, Respect

We want you to feel inspired every day. At OXB, we’re future-focused and growing fast. We succeed together—through passion, commitment, and teamwork.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Collaborate. Contribute. Change lives.