Senior Microbiologist - Lead GMP Lab & Contamination Control

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 950,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with annual bonus

Health, dental, and vision coverage

Retirement fund and life insurance

Opportunities for advanced training

Collaborative work environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly skilled Senior Microbiologist to join their Pharmaceutical Manufacturing team in Stellenbosch. You will lead the microbiology laboratory, oversee testing of raw materials, in-process, and finished products, and ensure product safety and regulatory compliance.

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s or PhD in Microbiology, with 6+ years in pharma microbiology, aseptic techniques, and environmental monitoring.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Microbiology, Biotechnology, or related field.
• Minimum 6 years in pharmaceutical microbiology in GMP environments.
• Aseptic techniques, microbial ID methods, and bioburden testing knowledge.
• Environmental monitoring, microbial limit testing, and sterility testing experience.
• Familiarity with GMP/ISO regulatory guidelines for pharma manufacturing.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills in a Stellenbosch facility.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all microbiological testing across materials, in-process, and finished products.
• Develop, validate, and implement microbiological testing methods per USP/EP standards.
• Conduct environmental monitoring of air, water, and surfaces and interpret results.
• Investigate contamination excursions and implement CAPAs.
• Provide training to junior staff and manufacturing personnel on controls.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines and maintain lab records.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Microbiology expertise

Communication

Training others

Problem solving

Education

Master's or PhD in Microbiology

Tools

MALDI-TOF

PCR

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a highly skilled Senior Microbiologist to join their Pharmaceutical Manufacturing team in Stellenbosch. You will lead the microbiology laboratory, oversee testing of raw materials, in-process, and finished products, and ensure product safety and regulatory compliance.

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s or PhD in Microbiology, with 6+ years in pharma microbiology, aseptic techniques, and environmental monitoring.