Sr Microbiologist

Actalent; United States; Hybrid; USD 109,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

401(k)

Career growth

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Sr QC Microbiologist to provide technical leadership in a growing pharmaceutical microbiology laboratory in Jupiter, FL. The role focuses on GMP-compliant operations for product and API release, stability studies, and expansion of testing capabilities.

The candidate will oversee method validation, environmental monitoring, and regulatory compliance, while mentoring QC analysts and coordinating with QA during investigations and inspections.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Microbiology or a related science field.
• At least seven years of GMP pharmaceutical microbiology experience.
• Strong technical writing, equipment qualification, and lab validation experience.
• Experience supporting regulatory inspections and client audits.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for the analytical microbiology laboratory.
• Lead the selection, qualification, and implementation of analytical instrumentation (IQ/OQ/PQ).
• Develop and maintain SOPs, lab protocols, reports, and training programs.
• Establish environmental monitoring programs for cleanrooms and related facilities.
• Coordinate with QA to support investigations, CAPAs, and cGMP compliance.
• Support client interactions and regulatory audits as the SME in microbiology.

Skills

Microbiology

Environmental monitoring

Aseptic technique

Bioburden

Sterility

Regulatory compliance

Technical leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Microbiology

Master's degree preferred

Tools

IQ/OQ/PQ

GxP instrumentation

Job description

Job Title: Sr QC Microbiologist

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Sr QC Microbiologist to provide technical leadership for a growing analytical microbiology laboratory. This position will play a key role in building and scaling GMP-compliant laboratory operations supporting pharmaceutical product release, API batch release, and stability studies. The ideal candidate will have extensive pharmaceutical microbiology experience, strong technical writing capabilities, and hands-on knowledge of laboratory qualification, microbiological testing, environmental monitoring, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for the analytical microbiology laboratory.
• Support the design, startup, and expansion of GMP-compliant laboratory operations.
• Lead the selection, qualification, and implementation of analytical instrumentation, including IQ, OQ, and PQ activities.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, laboratory protocols, technical reports, and training programs.
• Perform and oversee method suitability, process verification, and microbiological testing activities.
• Establish and maintain environmental monitoring programs for cleanrooms and separative devices.
• Partner with Quality Assurance to support investigations, corrective and preventive actions, and overall cGMP compliance.
• Serve as the microbiology subject-matter expert during client interactions, regulatory inspections, and audits.
• Support laboratory accreditation activities, including alignment with ISO/IEC requirements.
• Establish programs for the procurement, qualification, handling, storage, inventory control, traceability, and routine use of reference standard and challenge organisms.
• Ensure microbiological reference materials and laboratory practices comply with applicable USP requirements and recognized industry standards.
• Supervise, train, and professionally develop QC laboratory analysts as laboratory operations expand.
• Manage sample schedules, testing priorities, and laboratory workflow.
• Improve laboratory efficiency, throughput, and testing capacity.
• Oversee microbiological media, reference organisms, and related inventory.
• Coordinate activities with QC Chemistry and Quality Assurance.
• Support laboratory investigations and stability studies.
• Expand the laboratorys testing capabilities to meet operational and client needs.

Essential Skills

• Microbiology
• Environmental monitoring
• Aseptic technique
• Bioburden
• Sterilization
• Endotoxin
• Sterility
• Biology
• Quality control
• Plating
• Microbial
• Microbiology laboratory
• Aseptic

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Hands-on knowledge of analytical and microbiological testing.
• Experience with USP <85> bacterial endotoxin testing, USP <71> traditional sterility testing, rapid sterility testing, traditional and rapid bioburden testing, USP <51> antimicrobial effectiveness and preservative effectiveness testing.
• Environmental monitoring including viable and non-viable air monitoring, surface monitoring, temperature and relative humidity monitoring, differential pressure monitoring.
• Subvisible particulate analysis, media growth-promotion testing, microbiological method suitability and verification.
• Working knowledge of 21 CFR Parts 210 and 211, 21 CFR Part 11, FDA data integrity guidance, USP microbiological testing requirements, and ISO/IEC accreditation requirements.
• Bachelors degree in Microbiology or a related scientific discipline. Masters degree preferred.
• At least seven years of GMP pharmaceutical microbiology experience.
• Strong experience with technical writing, equipment qualification, and laboratory validation.
• Previous experience supporting regulatory inspections and client audits.
• Demonstrated knowledge of pharmaceutical microbiology and cGMP laboratory operations.
• Excellent communication, organization, leadership, and project-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple laboratory priorities in a growing operational environment.

Work Environment

The work environment includes clean room conditions and offers a competitive salary based on experience, performance-based bonus eligibility, comprehensive benefits, continuing-education support, and opportunities for advancement into microbiology laboratory management or QC leadership. It is a startup environment with room for growth and expansion.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Jupiter, FL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $52.88 - $57.69/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable for this temporary role may include the following:Medical, dental & visionCritical Illness, Accident, and Hospital401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions availableLife Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)Short and long-term disabilityHealth Spending Account (HSA)Transportation benefitsEmployee Assistance ProgramTime Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Jupiter,FL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 13, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.