Pharma Microbiology Lead - R&D Scientist

Placements24; Centurion; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional growth opportunities

Access to advanced lab facilities

Generous vacation and sick leave

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Microbiologist for its Pharmaceutical R&D team in Centurion to advance microbial safety and product development. The role leads research, develops assays, and guides scientific strategy in collaboration with cross-functional teams.

The ideal candidate holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology or related field with at least six years in pharma microbiology, expertise in identification, sterile processing, microbial challenge studies, and regulatory familiarity (GMP/ISO).

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in a microbiology research setting, preferably within the pharmaceutical industry.
• In-depth knowledge of microbial identification techniques, sterile processing, and microbial challenge studies.
• Experience with regulatory guidelines (e.g., GMP, ISO) relevant to pharmaceutical microbiology.
• Proficiency in data analysis software and microbiological instrumentation.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on microbial contamination, preservation, and efficacy testing for pharmaceutical products.
• Develop, validate, and implement microbiological assays and testing methods according to regulatory standards.
• Analyze and interpret complex microbiological data, identifying trends and potential issues.
• Investigate deviations and out-of-specification results, recommending and implementing corrective actions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including formulation, quality control, and regulatory affairs.
• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks, prepare technical reports, and present findings to scientific stakeholders.

Skills

Data analysis

Microbiology instrumentation

Problem solving

Scientific communication

Education

Ph.D. in Microbiology or related field

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Microbiologist for its Pharmaceutical R&D team in Centurion to advance microbial safety and product development. The role leads research, develops assays, and guides scientific strategy in collaboration with cross-functional teams.

The ideal candidate holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology or related field with at least six years in pharma microbiology, expertise in identification, sterile processing, microbial challenge studies, and regulatory familiarity (GMP/ISO).