Microbiologist – BLI & QA/QC Specialist (In-Person)

Precise Systems Inc.; Aberdeen (MD); On-site; USD 57,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and AD&D coverage

Disability insurance

Retirement plans

Holiday pay

Employee-managed leave

Professional growth opportunities

STAR Award

Job summary

Precise Systems seeks a Microbiologist to support a biology laboratory validating and optimizing bacterial strains used to produce target molecules, including proteins and antibodies. You will perform microbiological testing, bench-scale production support, BLI, antibody verification, and QA/QC conformance testing within an ISO program.

This in-person role requires handling samples, maintaining traceability, and producing accurate data to support product quality and process optimization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, immunology, molecular biology, or closely related science.
• At least 3 years' experience performing the listed duties.
• Laboratory experience gained through employment, internships, research, coursework, or equivalent practical training.
• Knowledge of aseptic technique, bacterial culture, culture-media preparation, and basic microbiological testing methods.
• Familiarity with laboratory documentation, data recording, and use of controlled procedures.
• Ability to perform detailed laboratory work accurately and consistently.
• Ability to organize technical data, perform routine calculations, and communicate results clearly.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a laboratory and QA/QC team.
• Ability to complete and maintain required biological-material shipping training.

Responsibilities

• Culture, maintain, characterize, and preserve bacterial strains used in protein, antibody, and other target-molecule production activities.
• Conduct strain-validation studies to assess identity, purity, viability, growth characteristics, stability, and production performance.
• Support bacterial culture and bench-scale fermentation activities, including preparation, monitoring, sampling, and documentation of runs.
• Assist with optimization studies evaluating media composition, inoculation conditions, temperature, pH, agitation, aeration, harvest timing, and other approved process parameters.
• Prepare culture media, buffers, reagents, standards, controls, and test materials in accordance with procedures.
• Collect, process, label, store, and track samples with traceability.
• Identify and report evidence of contamination, atypical culture behavior, equipment malfunction, test deviations, or other conditions affecting data integrity.
• Perform BLI assays to support antibody verification, characterization, and conformance testing.
• Prepare assay plates, biosensors, controls, standards, samples, and reagents required for BLI testing.
• Generate and review BLI data, including controls and binding-response data.
• Perform antibody verification and conformance testing using approved methods and criteria.
• Evaluate antibody identity, binding performance, concentration, activity, or other quality attributes.
• Document test conditions, calculations, results, observations, and conclusions in lab records.
• Assist with troubleshooting assay failures, atypical results, and OOS/OOT results under supervision.
• Maintain handling, storage, and traceability for antibodies, standards, controls, biosensors, and related materials.
• Work in ISO-accredited QA/QC framework and follow SOPs and safety requirements.
• Maintain contemporaneous and traceable laboratory documentation.
• Support test-method verification, equipment calibration, and preventive maintenance.
• Assist with SOPs, worksheets, and technical reports.
• Participate in quality reviews, audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain inventory and proper storage and dating of supplies.

Skills

Aseptic technique

Bacterial culture

Culture-media preparation

Laboratory documentation

Data recording

Education

Bachelor’s degree in microbiology or related field

Tools

LIMS

Electronic Lab Notebooks

Spreadsheets

Job description

Precise Systems seeks a Microbiologist to support a biology laboratory validating and optimizing bacterial strains used to produce target molecules, including proteins and antibodies. You will perform microbiological testing, bench-scale production support, BLI, antibody verification, and QA/QC conformance testing within an ISO program.

This in-person role requires handling samples, maintaining traceability, and producing accurate data to support product quality and process optimization.