Senior Microbiologist

Harrow; Ledgewood (NJ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Harrow in the United States seeks a Senior Microbiologist to lead and perform microbiological testing, qualification, validation, and environmental monitoring in sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing. This SME will guide QC personnel and ensure compliance with cGMP, USP, FDA, and internal procedures.

The role requires advanced technical expertise, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to independently manage complex projects and investigations while supporting continuous

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Microbiology, Biology, Molecular Biology, or related Life Sciences field required.
• Master's degree preferred.
• 7–10 years of progressive microbiology experience in a cGMP/FDA-regulated environment.
• 3 years of direct experience performing USP 71 sterility, USP 85 endotoxin, Bioburden testing and validation activities.
• Experience leading microbiological investigations and contamination control initiatives.
• Experience supporting regulatory audits and inspections preferred.
• Strong data integrity and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

• Perform and oversee microbiological testing including USP 71 Sterility Testing and BET.
• Lead method qualification, validation, transfer, verification, and lifecycle management for microbiological test methods.
• Oversee environmental monitoring, and act as SME for lab operations and product release testing.
• Review and approve laboratory data, test results, protocols, and reports.
• Lead investigations related to OOS, OOT, and contamination events; drive CAPA.
• Provide technical support for aseptic processing and contamination control strategies.
• Mentor and train microbiology personnel on techniques and data integrity.
• Support internal and regulatory audits by preparing documentation and presenting data.

Skills

Microbiology

GMP compliance

Leadership

Data analysis

Problem solving

Regulatory inspections

Education

Bachelor's in Microbiology

Master's preferred

Tools

LIMS

MS Office

Job description

Harrow (Nasdaq: HROW) is a leading provider of ophthalmic disease management solutions in North America. Harrow is an incredible entrepreneurial company – where we celebrate the ability of every member of the Harrow Family to be the CEO of their job. Harrow’s values have driven interest over the past decade in attracting high-performing professionals in a variety of disciplines. Members of our Harrow Family often express their pride in being a part of our commitment to (1) innovation, (2) patient access to affordable medicines, and (3) our track record of having never turned down an ophthalmologist doing mission work around the world – providing free medicines in support of mission work aimed at giving or maintaining the gift of sight to those most in need. We encourage you to learn more about Harrow and its unique culture to see if you’re the right person to help contribute as we build a truly exceptional company, one we are all so proud of!

Harrow’s ophthalmic pharmaceutical portfolio is one of the most comprehensive in the industry, including:

• A broad Dry Eye Disease product line, led by VEVYE® and bolstered by well-known adjacent ocular surface disease products such as FLAREX® and FRESHKOTE®
• A peri-operative Surgical product line, led by TRIESENCE®, and BYQLOVITM
• A Rare and Specialty product line, which includes various high-need and utility products such as ILEVRO®, NATACYN®, and VERKAZIA®
• A robust internal development pipeline with multiple late-stage candidates, including MELT-300, MELT-210, H-N08, and CR-01

Job Summary

Under the leadership of the Director of Quality, the Senior Microbiologist is responsible for leading and performing microbiological testing, method qualification and validation activities, environmental monitoring oversight, and microbiological investigations in support of sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing operations. This position serves as a subject matter expert (SME) for microbiology-related processes and provides technical guidance to Quality Control personnel.

The Senior Microbiologist ensures all testing activities comply with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), USP requirements, FDA regulations, and company procedures. The role requires advanced technical expertise, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to independently manage complex projects and investigations while supporting continuous improvement initiatives within the Quality Control Laboratory.

Core Responsibilities

• Perform and oversee microbiological testing including:
• USP <71> Sterility Testing
• Bacterial Endotoxin Testing (BET) using kinetic and chromogenic methods
• Microbial identification
• Growth promotion testing
• Water system monitoring and testing, as applicable.
• Serve as the microbiology subject matter expert for laboratory operations, product release testing, investigations, and regulatory inspections.
• Lead method qualification, validation, transfer, verification, and lifecycle management activities for microbiological test methods.
• Review and approve laboratory data, test results, protocols, reports, and associated documentation.
• Lead laboratory investigations related to out-of-specification (OOS), out-of-trend (OOT), environmental monitoring excursions, contamination events, deviations, and non-conformances.
• Conduct root cause analyses and develop effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Provide technical support for aseptic processing operations, contamination control strategies, and cleanroom environmental monitoring programs.
• Serve as a backup and technical lead for viable and non-viable environmental monitoring activities.
• Evaluate and trend microbiological data to identify adverse trends and recommend improvements.
• Author, review, and revise SOPs, protocols, validation documents, risk assessments, technical reports, and laboratory procedures.
• Support internal audits, customer audits, and regulatory inspections by preparing documentation and presenting microbiological data.
• Manage laboratory equipment qualification, calibration, maintenance, and lifecycle activities.
• Ensure laboratory supplies, media, standards, and reagents are properly maintained and available.
• Mentor and train microbiology personnel on laboratory techniques, procedures, data integrity, and compliance requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance laboratory efficiency, compliance, and operational excellence.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and inspection-ready laboratory environment.
• Comply with all company policies, site procedures, FDA regulations, USP requirements, and applicable cGMP standards.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Microbiology, Biology, Molecular Biology, or related Life Sciences field required.
• Master's degree preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive microbiology experience within a cGMP/FDA-regulated pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or compounding environment.
• Minimum 3 years of direct experience performing USP <71> sterility, USP<85> Endotoxin, Bioburden testing and microbiological method validation activities.
• Experience leading microbiological investigations and contamination control initiatives.
• Experience supporting regulatory audits and inspections preferred.

Technical Knowledge

• Advanced knowledge of:
• USP <71> Sterility Testing
• USP <85> Bacterial Endotoxin Testing
• USP <61>/<62> Microbial Enumeration and Specified Organisms
• Cleanroom microbiology
• Aseptic processing principles
• Laboratory investigations
• Data trending and statistical analysis.
• Strong understanding of FDA regulations, USP requirements, cGMP standards, and data integrity principles.
• Proficiency with laboratory instrumentation, LIMS, electronic quality systems, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and projects independently.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and root cause investigation skills.
• Ability to identify process improvements and implement effective solutions.
• Results-oriented with a commitment to quality, compliance, and continuous improvement.