Sr. Scientist/Engineer - Process Microbiology

Celltrion Branchburg; Branchburg Township (NJ); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Wellness programs

Short- and long-term disability

Job summary

Celltrion Branchburg, LLC is seeking an experienced microbiologist to provide process microbiological support for biotechnology manufacturing within a cGMP environment. This role collaborates with Operations, QC Microbiology, Engineering, and QA to manage risk-based assessments and improvements.

Responsibilities include monitoring trends, leading deviations, and developing acceptance criteria, with travel up to 10% and hybrid work flexibility.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Microbiology or related field with cGMP biopharmaceutical experience.
• Experience in aseptic manufacturing operations and microbiology assay development/validation.
• Strong data-driven decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent cross-functional teamwork and communication skills.
• Ability to write technical reports and investigations.
• Experience leading deviation investigations.

Responsibilities

• Monitor process microbiological data and present analyses in manufacturing team meetings.
• Provide on-the-floor microbiological support and maintain manufacturing documentation.
• Lead deviation investigations and troubleshoot contamination incidents.
• Collaborate with Operations and Engineering to implement improvements mitigating risk points.
• Provide microbiology guidance on facility and process-related controls and changes.
• Oversee process contamination prevention and control per Product Protection.
• Develop in-process microbiological acceptance criteria and sampling requirements.
• Serve as SME for evaluation and mitigation of microbiological trends.
• Support hold time studies and small-scale studies for process validation.

Skills

Data-driven decisions

Problem solving

Cross-functional teamwork

Strong communication

Technical writing

Interpersonal skills

Education

B.S. in Microbiology or related field

Job description

Celltrion is a leading biopharmaceutical company specializing in the research, development, and manufacturing of innovative therapeutics. We are committed to delivering innovative and affordable medications that expand patient access to advanced therapies. Celltrion has been at the forefront of biotherapeutic development, uncovering new ways to target the drivers of disease through next-generation biologics and small-molecule products.

Celltrion Branchburg, LLC is a subsidiary of Celltrion USA, established in 2025 following Celltrion USA’s acquisition of Eli Lilly’s drug substance manufacturing facility in Branchburg, New Jersey. By combining strong local manufacturing capabilities with an established direct-sales network, we aim to create greater synergies across our operations. Looking ahead, we also anticipate expanding into the global contract manufacturing organization sector.

Position Brand Description:

This position is responsible for process microbiological support for biotechnology manufacturing processes, overseeing a robust Product Protection Control Strategy against Adventitious Agents in a cGMP environment,and building the organization’s knowledgeof aseptic manufacturing operations. This role partners with Operations, QC Microbiology, Engineering, other TS/MS Scientists, and Quality on risk-based assessments, testing strategies and troubleshooting.

Manage for Results /Strategic Planning:

1. Monitors (trends) in-process microbiological data and presents analyses in Manufacturing Process Team meetings.
2. Provide on-the-floor microbiological support for manufacturing processes including generation and maintenance of manufacturing support documentation (e.g. SOPs, trend analyses, evaluation protocols)
3. Assist/Lead deviation investigations. Troubleshoot suspected microbiological contamination incidents.
4. Collaborate with Operations and Engineering to implement equipment, procedure and/or automation improvements to mitigate identified microbiological risk points.
5. Provide microbiology guidance on facility and process-related controls and changes.
6. Oversee process contamination prevention and control according to Product Protection
7. Develop in-process microbiological acceptance criteria, sampling requirements, summations, procedures, and reports. Collaborate with QC Microbiology on specifications and microbiological control strategy.
8. Serve as subject matter expert for evaluation and mitigation of microbiological trends.

Technology Transfer & Cross-Functional Support

1. Support microbiological requirements for in-process hold time studies as well as small-scale studies to support hold time, resin cleaning, and other process validation activities.
2. Collaborate with Validation Technical Services on microbiological requirements for cleaning/SIP validation and facility/equipment qualification.
3. Collaborate with Quality Control in the development and execution of the facility-based environmental monitoring and clean utilities microbiology programs for the site.

External Interface

1. Build deep technical expertise in the area of responsibility.

Basic Requirements:

1. Knowledge of aseptic manufacturing operations.
2. Strong investigational skill, working knowledge of microbiology assay development and validation.
3. Demonstrated strong data-driven decision-making and problem-solving capabilities.
4. Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills in cross-functional teamwork environment.
5. Demonstrated strong communication skills, both oral and written. Technical writing including positionpapers, validation reports, and microbiological investigations.
6. Demonstrated ability to participate in and facilitate decision-making.

Education Requirements:

1. B.S. in Microbiology or related science/engineering with a minimum of 0-7 years' experience in a cGMP biopharmaceutical manufacturing environment.
2. Position is a banded position; education and years of experience in a cGMP biopharmaceutical or pharmaceutical manufacturing and/or development environment will be considered for initial placement within the band.

This role is exempt and the anticipated compensation for this role is $87,000 - $150,000.

This is a banded role, and candidates will be placed within the range based on experience, skills, internal equity, and market considerations.

Celltrion Branchburg, LLC offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid time off (holidays, vacation, and additional leave), medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, a company-matched retirement savings plan, wellness programs, and short- and long-term disability benefits. This role requires up to 10% travel, on-call availability, and may involve shift work. Hybrid work flexibility may be available based on business needs; relocation assistance is not provided.

Celltrion Branchburg, LLC is proud to be Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.