Process Microbiologist

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine; Leiden; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnson & Johnson in Leiden is seeking a Process Microbiologist to strengthen an Operations Large Molecules team. You will develop contamination control strategies, hygiene programs, and investigations to prevent microbiological risks in bioreactor operations.

You will train staff, work with QA and manufacturing, and support cross‑site improvements to enhance biosafety and product quality in a fast‑paced environment.

Qualifications

• BSc or MSc degree in science, preferably microbiology or related.

Responsibilities

• Set up and improve contamination control strategies in GMP production.
• Lead training curricula on microbiological hygiene and contamination prevention.
• Support investigations into deviations and contamination events.
• Collaborate with QA microbiologists, operations, and maintenance on cross‑site projects.
• Communicate risk assessments and preventive actions to production teams.

Skills

GMP knowledge

Lean manufacturing

Manufacturing Engineering

MSAT

Project engineering

Problem solving

Communication

Coaching

Quality mindset

Education

BSc/MSc in science (microbiology preferred)

Tools

Aseptic processing

Job description

At Johnson & Johnson,we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build aworld where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured,where treatments are smarter and less invasive, andsolutions are personal.Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity.Learn more at jnj.com.

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.

Job Function:

Supply Chain Engineering

Job Sub Function:

Manufacturing Engineering

Job Category:

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations:

Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands

Job Description:

Location: Leiden, Netherlands
Contract: Full Time/Contract
Department: Operations Large Molecules (CV19)

Johnson&Johnson is currently recruiting a Process Microbiologist within our Operations to strengthen our team. Do you have a background in biologics, pharmaceutical and/or manufacturing industry with knowledge about processing and biosafety containment? And are you excited to be part of our process improvements and projects?

At the Johnson & Johnson Company (JNJ) in the Leiden Bioscience Park, we are working to create a world without diseases. Transforming lives by finding new and better ways to prevent, intercept, treat and cure disease inspires us. We bring together the best minds and hearts to pursue the most promising science into life changing product for patients around the globe. One of the important areas for our operations in Leiden is the production of medicines against cancer and chronic diseases like arthritis.

The vacancy is reporting directly to the Senior Director of the operations in large molecules. The heart of our production is in our bioreactors, where large molecule medicines are produced and subsequently purified. We work with more than 1000 talented and multi-skilled people in this area. The facility has a large manufacturing footprint with aggressive capacity expansion projects for existing and new products.

Are you excited to understand and improve our current processes, to support new equipment installation and product onboarding within an ambitious setting in a global company? Do you get energy from working together and contribute to improve the life of patients? Then this is your job!

You will join a team of Process Microbiologists in Large molecules on the site and work with QA microbiologists and your colleagues on other sites.

The Process Microbiologist is responsible for the development and improvement of the contamination control strategies, contamination prevention programs, microbiological hygiene programs, and supports the investigation when a microbiological contamination has occurred or when the microbiological hygiene monitoring program gives cause for this. The Process Microbiologist is jointly responsible for establishing, managing and rolling out the training curriculum regarding microbiological hygiene & contamination prevention. He / she gives practical advice to production employees, team leaders and operations management in the field of contamination risk prevention.

The Process Microbiologist supports a multi-departmental / multifunctional investigation team to establish root cause and determining preventive actions. The Process Microbiologist is often present on the production shop floor where he / she works very closely with the employees and managers of the cleaning department, Operations-shift teams and Maintenance department. There is also close collaboration with the microbiology laboratory and QA & Compliance.

The responsibilities & the impact YOU will have:

• Setting up microbiological systems required by GMP production process in a redesigned facility and support routine production.
• Determine, document and elevate risks. Solving and follow up & control of preventive actions as a result of risk assessments, observations and deviations.
• Is the driver and actively contributes to the introduction of improvements regarding the reduction of contamination risk, the increase of microbiological hygiene, and is overseeing the implementation and safeguarding of the improvements.
• Establishing, managing and improving training curricula in the field of microbiological hygiene and contamination prevention; tailor‑made for every employee who performs work within production.
• Identify risks and opportunities in the workplace regarding these topics and actively follow them up in close collaboration with employees and managers.
• Transferring knowledge and imparting understanding by correctly communicating to the various layers in the organization.
• Supporting the investigation team on deviations and observations.

We would love to hear from YOU, if you have the following essential requirements:

• BSc. or MSc degree in science, preferably in microbiology or related.
• You have some experience in (pharmaceutical) production with a demonstrable interest in processing and operational processes.
• Experience in and or knowledge of aseptic processing is a nice to have
• Awareness and experience affinity with cGMP standards
• Excellent communication skills, written and oral in English (required) and Dutch (pre).

We also would like to see the following Key Competencies

• You are enthusiastic, independent, innovative and able to handle pressure and fast changes
• You are able to motivate and coach people and act as trainer on your expertise.
• You have the ability to balance risks and make difficult decisions
• You take ownership of your work and have the ability to plan and structure this.
• Experience with Problem Solving skills such as Kepner-Tregoe is a pre

This is what awaits YOU at J&J:

This is an opportunity to work with a highly motivated team and to be a member of a Johnson & Johnson company, with an excellent record in employee continuous professional development and business improvement.

We are passionate about our work; we play vital roles across a range of professional disciplines and care deeply about our customers and communities. At Johnson & Johnson our culture enables dynamic and impactful careers.

Whether you’re one of the people who already work here, or you’re considering joining the team, we offer:

• Flexible working hours.
• An opportunity to be part of a global market leader.
• A dynamic and inspiring working environment.
• Opportunities to work on challenging projects and assignments.
• Possibilities for further personal and professional development/education.
• Excellent Benefits

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion:

• For more than 130 years, diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) have been part of our cultural fabric at Johnson & Johnson and woven into how we do business every day. Our commitment to respect the dignity and diversity of all is embedded in our Credo.
• We know that the success of our business depends on having the best talent in a workforce that reflects the diverse markets we serve around the world and an inclusive culture that values different perspectives and life experiences. That is why we in the Netherlands are working to create an inclusive environment where diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences are valued and each and every one of our people feels that they belong and can reach their potential. No matter who they are.
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Johnson & Johnson means “You Belong”!

Required Skills:

Accelerating, Analytical Reasoning, Coaching, Communication, Facility Management, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Lean Manufacturing Principles, Lean Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing Engineering, Manufacturing Science and Technology (MSAT), Problem Management, Project Engineering, Project Schedule, Report Writing, Safety-Oriented, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Application, Technologically Savvy

Preferred Skills:

Accelerating, Analytical Reasoning, Coaching, Communication, Facility Management, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Lean Manufacturing Principles, Lean Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing Engineering, Manufacturing Science and Technology (MSAT), Problem Management, Project Engineering, Project Schedule, Report Writing, Safety-Oriented, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Application, Technologically Savvy