Senior Microbiologist - Food Safety & Lab Leadership

Placements24; Benoni; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 partners with a leading food safety company in Benoni, Gauteng to recruit a Senior Microbiologist for the laboratory. The role oversees routine and advanced microbiological testing, mentors junior staff, and ensures GLP and ISO 17025 compliance.

The candidate should hold an MSc or PhD in Microbiology (or related field), with 5+ years in a food microbiology lab, and strong skills in culture-based, rapid detection, and molecular methods including PCR.

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Microbiology, Food Science, Biotechnology, or a related life science field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a food microbiology laboratory setting, preferably in a senior or supervisory capacity.
• Demonstrated expertise in culture-based methods, rapid detection methods, and molecular techniques (e.g., PCR).
• Thorough understanding of foodborne pathogens, spoilage organisms, and relevant control strategies.
• Knowledge of HACCP, ISO 22000 and regulatory requirements is essential.
• Proven ability to develop and validate new analytical methods.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform a variety of microbiological tests on food samples, including pathogen detection and enumeration of indicator organisms.
• Develop, validate, and implement new microbiological methods and testing protocols.
• Oversee maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues encountered during testing and analysis.
• Ensure GLP and ISO 17025 compliance.
• Interpret test results and prepare detailed reports for clients and stakeholders.
• Provide technical guidance and training to junior staff.
• Stay informed about emerging microbiological risks and regulatory changes.
• Participate in audits to ensure laboratory compliance.

Skills

Microbiology expertise

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

MSc or PhD in Microbiology or related field

Tools

PCR techniques

Laboratory equipment calibration

Job description

Placements24 partners with a leading food safety company in Benoni, Gauteng to recruit a Senior Microbiologist for the laboratory. The role oversees routine and advanced microbiological testing, mentors junior staff, and ensures GLP and ISO 17025 compliance.

The candidate should hold an MSc or PhD in Microbiology (or related field), with 5+ years in a food microbiology lab, and strong skills in culture-based, rapid detection, and molecular methods including PCR.