Senior Specialist, Quality Control (Microbiology)

MSD; Ireland; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD Malaysia is seeking a Microbiology QC Senior Specialist to provide technical leadership over QC Microbiology programs and quality systems. This role focuses on complex investigations, cleanroom qualification, and EM/Utilities strategy, ensuring regulatory compliance.

You will review data packages, drive CAPAs, and lead method qualification and tech transfer efforts, while representing QC Microbiology during inspections and advancing digital innovation in the lab.

Qualifications

• B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Microbiology or related field with 5–7 years pharma/biotech lab leadership.
• Proven track record in leading root cause investigations for environmental excursions.
• Extensive experience with cleanroom qualification and start-up activities.
• Expert knowledge of CFR, Eudralex Annex 1, FDA/EMA guidance and compendial requirements.
• Strong technical writing for investigations and risk assessments.
• Leadership, project management and cross-functional problem solving.
• Excellent communication skills for executive summaries.
• Experience with Lean Six-Sigma to optimize lab workflows.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced technical oversight of EM and clean utilities programs.
• Review validation data packages and transfer protocols.
• Author and facilitate high-level microbiological investigations and CAPAs.
• Participate in contamination control risk assessments (FMEA, HACCP).
• Oversee qualification of microbiological methods and QC lab equipment.
• Act as regulatory representative during inspections (HPRA, FDA, EMA).
• Champion new technology and digital innovation in the microbiology lab.
• Author and pre-approve complex technical documents and validation protocols.

Skills

Analytical Thinking

Bioburden Testing

Biological Indicators

Clean Rooms

Endotoxin Testing

Environmental Monitoring

Inspection Readiness

Microbiology

Quality Risk Assessment

Root Cause Analysis

Sterility Testing

Troubleshooting

Education

B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Microbiology or related field

Tools

Lean Six Sigma

Regulatory documents handling

Job description

Job Description The Microbiology QC Senior Specialist is a key technical leadership role providing high-level oversight of the QC Microbiology programs and quality systems. The role focus is on leading complex microbiology investigations, coordinating cleanroom qualification and Environmental Monitoring/Utilities program strategies, executing advanced technical reviews and driving technological innovation (e.g., rapid micro methods). The role ensures compliance with sterile manufacturing standards (such as Annex 1), coordinates regulatory audit responses and supports method qualification and technology transfers. Bring energy, knowledge, innovation to carry out the following:

Technical Oversight of Programs:

Provide advanced technical oversight of the Environmental Monitoring (EM) and clean utilities (WFI, gases, clean steam) programs, ensuring alignment with current global regulatory expectations (such as EU Annex 1).

Technical & Peer Record Review:

Perform critical technical review and secondary verification of complex laboratory records, validation data packages, method transfer protocols and high-impact testing records (e.g., sterility and endotoxin assays) to guarantee complete compliance.

Microbiology Investigations & CAPA:

Author, review and facilitate high-level, complex microbiological investigations (including sterility failures, adverse bioburden trends and systemic EM excursions) Ensure robust Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is executed and effective CAPAs are implemented

Risk Management:

Participate in contamination control risk assessments (e.g., FMEA, HACCP) to support cleanroom qualifications, VHP cycles and routine environmental monitoring site selection

Validation & Tech Transfer:

Oversee the qualification of microbiological methods (Bioburden, Endotoxin, and Sterility testing) and advanced QC Micro laboratory equipment (e.g., autoclaves, and isolators)

Regulatory Representation:

Act as a technical spokesperson for QC Microbiology during regulatory inspections (e.g., HPRA, FDA) and lead the preparation of inspection-readiness within the QC microbiology laboratory

Continuous Improvement:

Champion the implementation of new technology and digital innovation in the microbiology lab

Documentation Leadership:

Author and pre-approve complex technical documents and validation protocols

What skills you will need:

In order to excel in this role, you will more than likely have: B.Sc. or M.Sc. degree in Microbiology, Biological Sciences or equivalent 5-7 years of pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry laboratory experience, with a proven track record in technical leadership Demonstrated expertise in leading root cause investigations for environmental excursions, sterility failures or OOS microbiological results Extensive experience with cleanroom qualification and cleanroom start-up activities Expert knowledge of CFR, Eudralex (specifically Annex 1), FDA/EMA guidance and international compendial requirements for sterile products Advanced technical writing skills with a focus on investigation reports and risk assessments Strong leadership, project management and decision-making capabilities to lead cross-functional problem-solving teams Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to summarise complex microbiological trends for site executive leadership Experience with Lean Six-sigma tools to optimise lab workflows and sample turnaround times Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to influence internal site stakeholders and global partners

Required Skills:

• Analytical Thinking
• Bioburden Testing
• Biological Indicators
• Clean Rooms
• Endotoxin Testing
• Environmental Monitoring
• Inspection Readiness
• Microbiology
• Quality Risk Assessment
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
• Sterility Testing
• Troubleshooting

We keep the patient at the very heart of all that we do and strive to find solutions and treatments for some of the world's most challenging healthcare needs.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together.

Employee Status: Regular Relocation: VISA Sponsorship: Travel Requirements: Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable Shift: Valid Driving License: Hazardous Material(s): Job Posting End Date: 10/24/2026 *A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.