Senior Microbiologist - Virginia

Initial Therapeutics, Inc.; Petersburg (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401K match

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Tuition Assistance

Life & Disability Insurance

Employee Referral Awards

Product sample access

Parental leave

Job summary

Novo Nordisk in Petersburg, Virginia, seeks a microbiology specialist to ensure sterility and quality of pharmaceutical products. You will perform assays on raw materials, water and in-process samples, while ensuring GMP compliance and proper documentation.

Responsibilities include method validation, SOP authoring, data integrity and collaboration with cross-functional teams to support product safety and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 6+ years of microbiology assay experience.
• GMP rules and QC procedures knowledge.
• Aseptic technique and molecular biology methods experience.
• Strong documentation and data integrity practices.

Responsibilities

• Perform microbiological assays on raw materials, water, in-process samples and finished products.
• Sample and analyze air, surfaces, and water for contamination in the facility.
• Author, review and approve SOPs and testing protocols.
• Validate new equipment and test methods; review protocols and reports.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and ensure data integrity.
• Support investigations of deviations and CAPAs related to microbial analysis.

Skills

Microbiology theory

Aseptic technique

Molecular biology methods

Analytical skills

Documentation & data integrity

Team collaboration

Communication skills

GMP knowledge

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in microbiology

Associate's degree in microbiology

High School Diploma/GED

Tools

N/A

Job description

About the Department

For more than 100 years, Novo Nordisk has been tackling the unmet medical needs of people living with serious chronic diseases, such as diabetes & obesity. Being part of Novo Nordisk allows our employees to embark on the opportunity to help improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world.

Our new Petersburg, Virginia site marks a strategic move to advance our capabilities in Emerging Technologies (ET) within Chemical API development and production. The highly experienced site is designed to strengthen and accelerate our Small Molecule (SMOL) strategy while amplifying our operational capacity. This is to safeguard and support ET´s SMOL projects in the coming years, aligning with our vision and strengthening our potential for growth and innovation.

What we offer you:

• Leading pay and annual performance bonus for all positionsAll employees enjoy generous paid time off including 14 paid holidaysHealth Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance – effective day oneGuaranteed 8% 401K contribution plus individual company match optionFamily Focused Benefits including 14weeks paid parental & 6 weeks paid family medical leaveFree access to Novo Nordisk-marketed pharmaceutical productsTuition AssistanceLife & Disability InsuranceEmployee Referral Awards

At Novo Nordisk, you will find opportunities, resources, and mentorship to help grow and build your career. Are you ready to realize your potential? Join Team Novo Nordisk and help us make what matters.

The Position

Responsible for ensuring the sterility and quality of pharmaceutical products by performing microbiological tests on raw materials and, manufacturing environments and finished products throughout the production process, identifying potential microbial contamination and maintaining compliance with regulatory standards to guarantee patient safety.

Relationships

Reports to Manager.

Essential Functions

• Perform or oversee routine and non-routine microbiological assays on raw materials, water and release samples to detect the presence of microorganismsSample and analyse air, surfaces and water within the manufacturing facility to monitor for microbial contaminationAuthor, review and approve test methods and standard operating procedures (SOPs)Perform or oversee validations for new equipment and test methodsAuthor, review and approve protocols and reportsAuthor, review and approve testing requirements or specificationsEnsure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and regulatory requirementsMaintain accurate and detailed records of experiments, results and procedures in laboratory notebooks and electronic systems, ensuring data integrityPerform peer review of laboratory documentation and lab data to ensure compliance with laboratory SOPs and test methodsIsolate and identify microorganisms using various techniques like culture-based methods, molecular biology and automated systemsProvide training and coaching on proper microbiological techniquesAssist peers with troubleshooting general laboratory instrumentation, analysis and methodologiesMay serve as process area responsible for lab related systems, software, or processesSupport area process manager (APM) by providing technical expertise on relevant lab related topicsParticipate in multidisciplinary project groupsContribute and lead cLEAN process improvement activitiesSupport and lead investigations of laboratory samples and help determine appropriate corrective and preventive actionsSupport and lead Deviations related to microbial analysisOversee and assign general laboratory duties including cleaning and maintenance of equipment, work areas and cleaning of the microbiology laboratorySupport management on setting key performance indicators (KPIs)Follow all safety & environmental requirements in the performance of dutiesOther duties as assigned

Physical Requirements

Moves equipment &/or supplies weighing up to 33 pounds within the facility using various body positions. Ability to do close precision work with their hands. Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sitting and standing) 50% of the time. May required corrected vision to 20/25 based on role. May require colour vision based on role. Occasionally ascends/descends a ladder. May be required to work at elevated heights. Occasionally works around odorous &/or hazardous materials. May be required to wear respiratory protection, which includes medical surveillance and verification of pulmonary fitness. May be required to fully gown for entrance into GMP areas.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in microbiology or science related field from an accredited university required and a minimum of six (6) years of experience performing routine and non-routine microbiological assays on raw materials, water, in-process samples, packaging materials and finished products or related experience requiredIn lieu of Bachelor’s degree and six (6) years of experience, may consider an Associate’s degree in microbiology or related field from an accredited college with minimum of eight (8) years of experience performing routine and non-routine microbiological assays on raw materials, water, in-process samples, packaging materials and finished products or related experience requiredIn lieu of Bachelor’s degree and six (6) years of experience, may consider a High School Diploma/GED with a minimum of ten (10)) years of experience performing routine and non-routine microbiological assays on raw materials, water, in-process samples, packaging materials and finished products or related experience requiredStrong understanding of microbiology principles, including microbial identification, culture techniques and sterilization methods requiredExperience with GMP regulations and quality control procedures requiredProficiency in laboratory techniques such as aseptic technique, microbial enumeration and molecular biology methods requiredExcellent analytical and problem-solving skills requiredDetail-oriented with strong documentation and record-keeping abilities requiredAbility to work independently and as part of a team requiredExcellent communication skills to effectively report findings and collaborate with other departments requiredAbility to set scientific direction and mobilize a project work and activities requiredGood collaboration skills with and interaction with many departments required

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and defeating diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.

Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.

If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.