Microbiologist III

Curia; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits on day one

Paid vacation and holidays

Career advancement opportunities

Education reimbursement

401K with matching

Learning platform

Job summary

Curia in Albuquerque, NM seeks a Quality Control Microbiologist III to execute advanced microbiological testing and quality activities supporting production, environmental monitoring, and product release in a GMP environment.

Responsibilities include trend analysis, deviation investigation support, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure patient safety and regulatory compliance. Strong documentation and GMP knowledge are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline with microbiology focus.
• Minimum of five years related work experience in a regulated environment.
• Minimum of three years industry experience in GMP/GLP environments preferred.
• Pharmaceutical cleanroom experience preferred.
• Knowledgeable in FDA cGMPs (21 CFR 211) and ISO standards preferred.
• Experience validating/qualifying lab microbiological techniques preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform microbiological testing (endotoxin, sterility, bioburden) for materials, in-processs, intermediates, and final products.
• Conduct environmental monitoring of cleanrooms per USP/EU specs.
• Review, trend, and report results for various matrices and utilities testing.
• Lead documentation updates: SOPs, protocols, risk assessments, and change controls.
• Initiate OOS investigations and recommend CAPAs with effectiveness checks.
• Serve as SME for microbiological assays (sterility, growth promotion) and calibration activities.

Skills

Microbiological testing

Documentation

GMP/GLP knowledge

Environmental monitoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in scientific field

5+ years related work experience

3+ years GMP/GLP environment

Pharmaceutical cleanroom experience

FDA cGMPs (21 CFR 211); ISO 9001/13485/17025

Validation/qualification of microbiological techniques

Job description

Job Description

Microbiologist III in Albuquerque, NM

Build your future at Curia, where our work has the power to save lives

Curia is a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) with over 30 years of experience partnering with pharmaceutical and biotech companies to provide life-saving treatments to patients. At Curia, we are on a mission to advance our customers’ therapies from curiosity to cure and ultimately to improve patients’ lives.

We proudly offer

• Generous benefit options (eligible first day of employment)
• Paid training, vacation and holidays (vacation accrual begins on first day of employment)
• Career advancement opportunities
• Education reimbursement
• 401K program with matching contributions
• Learning platform
• And more!

Summary

The Quality Control Microbiologist III is responsible for performing advanced microbiological testing and quality activities to support product production, environmental monitoring, and product release in a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. This role ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and company standards by conducting microbiological assays, analyzing trends, and accurately documenting and reporting results. Additionally, the QC Microbiologist III plays a key role in conducting QC risk assessments, identifying potential microbiological risks, and troubleshooting deviations. This position collaborates with cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement initiatives, maintain product quality, and uphold patient safety.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Perform microbiological testing (endotoxin, sterility, and bioburden) for raw materials, in-process materials, intermediates, and final products.
• Conduct microbiological testing (endotoxin, bioburden) for utilities such as water, steam, nitrogen, etc.
• Perform environmental monitoring of cleanrooms in compliance with USP and EU specifications.
• Review, trend, and report results for environmental, personnel, in-process, raw material, finished product, and utilities testing.
• Conduct microbial characterization (gram stain, catalase, oxidase, and coagulase tests) and prepare and send out samples for microbiological identification.
• Maintain historical files for organisms found in classified areas, including microbial identification and trending.
• Perform line clearances and line start verifications, as well as inspections of media fills.
• Serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for microbiological assays such as sterility (including biological indicator testing) and growth promotion testing for all incoming media used in the microbiology laboratory.
• Perform microbial limits/enumeration testing and handle QC microbiological sample receipt, including internal testing, logging, processing, tracking, distribution of test results, and closure.
• Author and revise controlled documents, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Investigational Protocols, Risk Assessments, and others as needed.
• Initiate Out of Specification (OOS) or Environmental Monitoring Excursion investigations, recommend appropriate Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs), and complete effectiveness checks.
• Oversee equipment cleaning and maintenance, including managing supplies and inventory.
• Act as a liaison with vendors for maintenance, preventive maintenance (PM), and calibration of equipment.
• Ensure general laboratory housekeeping and maintain a clean, organized workspace.
• Facilitate the revision and release of all controlled documents in a timely manner.
• Coordinate mandatory reviews of SOPs and month-end reports, ensuring they are completed on schedule.
• Read/interpret SOPs to ensure compliance
• Maintain up to date trainings
• Other duties as assigned

Education And/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline, preferably microbiology or related field
• Minimum of five (5) years related work experience
• Minimum of three (3) years industry experience in a GMP or GLP environment, preferred
• Previous experience with pharmaceutical cleanroom environments, preferred
• Knowledgeable in FDA cGMPs (21 CFR 211); ISO 9001, 13485, and 17025, preferred
• Experienced and proficient in the validation/qualification of lab microbiological techniques, preferred

Supervisory Responsibilities

This role does not have supervisory responsibilities, yet it may involve mentoring, guiding, and advising.

Language Skills

The ideal candidate should have the ability to read and interpret various documents, such as safety instructions, standard operating procedures, technical procedures, and governmental regulations. Additionally, they should possess strong written and verbal communication skills, along with effective presentation skills.

Mathematical Skills

Proficient in executing arithmetic operations including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division across various units of measurement, employing whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percentages. Candidates must possess a strong grasp of algebraic and geometric principles.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Computer Skills

The ideal candidate will possess a strong technical foundation and proven capability in effectively utilizing diverse software tools to streamline the organization's daily functions. Essential skills encompass adeptness in manufacturing and internet software, alongside proficiency in Microsoft Office tools including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook.

Other Skills And Abilities

• Provides guidance and mentorship to team members
• Fosters a collaborative and positive work environment
• Champions change
• Promotes a safe and healthy work environment by actively identifying and addressing potential hazards, following established safety protocols, participating in safety training programs, and fostering a culture of awareness and responsibility among team members.
• Demonstrates strong attention to detail
• Proficient in the validation/qualification of lab microbiological techniques
• Strong GDP acumen
• Provide oversight for projects to update/maintain official document templates. Direct and manage the Change Control System
• Proficient in using spreadsheets for data entry, basic calculations, and organizing microbiological data

Other Qualifications

• Must pass a background check
• Must pass a drug screen
• May be required to pass Occupational Health Screening
• Must be able to obtain and maintain gowning certification
• Must be able to obtain and maintain media qualification
• Must be able to wear a respirator

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The essential physical demands will vary for each Curia position.

All positions may require regular or occasional lifting, pushing and pulling up to 10 pounds, frequently; up to 25 pounds occasionally; and up to 50 pounds infrequently. Additionally, all positions entail regular sitting, standing and reaching, with some roles requiring prolonged periods of time for each activity. Visual acuity, both close and distant, along with depth perception is necessary in each role, with or without corrective lenses. Please note that employees are prohibited from wearing contact lenses in work areas with exposure to cleaning agents. Hand and finger dexterity are integral to all positions, with specific activities varying from typing to manipulating maintenance tools or operating keypads, switches, and buttons. Occasional stooping, kneeling, twisting, crouching, crawling and balancing are also part of each position’s physical requirements. Certain roles may involve climbing and working at elevated heights as well.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics, described below, are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The working environments will vary for each Curia position. The employee may be required to work in an office, manufacturing, or warehouse environment.

The office environment is designed for comfort and productivity, with room temperature settings maintained for optimal working conditions. It is common to hear conversational noise in the background.

The pharmaceutical manufacturing environment is sterile. Therefore, aseptic gowning is required. Personal protective equipment (nitrile gloves, clean room socks, face-shields, safety glasses, aprons, steel-toed shoes and powered air purifying respirators) is necessary, depending upon the task at hand. The employee may be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, confined areas, and refrigerator or freezer temperatures when working in a sterile environment.

The warehouse environment is typically set at a controlled temperature but the employee may be exposed to refrigerator or freezer temperatures when retrieving materials.

Some positions may occasionally be exposed to moving mechanical parts, elevated heights, airborne particles, electrical activities and vibration. In addition, some positions may work with or be exposed to, compressed gases and must wear ear protection.

All environments may be subject to working with or being exposed to cleaning agents.

Education, experience, location and tenure may be considered along with internal equity when job offers are extended.

We do not accept unsolicited assistance from any headhunters or recruitment firms for any of our job openings. All resumes or profiles submitted by search firms to any employee at Curia, in any form without a valid, signed search agreement by an authorized signatory in place for the specific position, approved by Talent Acquisition, will be deemed the sole property of Curia. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Curia because of the unsolicited referral.

Curia is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. Curia is an E-Verify employer.