Senior Technician - Microbiology & Sterility Laboratory – Quality Control

Position: Senior Technician - Microbiology & Sterility Laboratory – Quality Control - Fixed Term
Job Description
** Senior Technician - Microbiology & Sterility Laboratory – Quality Control
**** Fixed term: 2 years
**** Join Our Team
**** Senior Microbiology & Sterility Technician
** to play a key role in our Quality Control laboratories. This is an exciting opportunity to combine hands-on laboratory experience with senior-level responsibility, supporting aseptic manufacturing and contributing to the reliable supply of vaccines to customers worldwide.  The role would be ideal for candidates with a background in Microbiology and previous exposure to aseptic manufacturing processes looking to step into a more senior role within the laboratory.
** Purpose of the Role
** The Senior Microbiology & Sterility Technician will perform microbiological and sterility testing within the Quality Control laboratories, ensuring compliance with cGMP, pharmacopoeia, and dossier requirements.  As a senior member of the team, you will be involved in batch release activities, cross-functional investigations, data analysis and preparation of technical documentation, while promoting a strong culture of safety and compliance. You will also become an SME in the use of LIMS and/or SAP to support users across the site.

As a
** Senior Microbiology & Sterility Technician**, you will perform and oversee microbiological and sterility testing within our QC laboratories, ensuring full compliance with
** cGMP**,
** pharmacopoeia
* * and
** regulatory dossier
** requirements.

You will be a senior member of the lab team, contributing to:
* Batch release activities
* Cross-functional investigations
* Data analysis and reporting
* Technical documentation and SOP updates
* Continuous improvement initiatives

You will also develop as a
** subject matter expert (SME)
** in
** LIMS
* * and/or
** SAP**, providing support and guidance to colleagues across the site.

Key responsibilities

In this role, you will:
* Perform and oversee microbiology and sterility testing of submitted samples.
* Ensure all testing is carried out in line with GMP, pharmacopoeia, dossiers and internal quality standards.
* Identify and support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance compliance, productivity and/or cost efficiency.
* Assist with the introduction and validation of new methods, laboratory equipment and biomaterials.
* Support batch release activities according to production priorities, escalating potential supply risks when required.
* Provide data and summaries for Product Quality Reviews and environmental monitoring meetings/reports.
* Update and maintain SOPs and other documentation to keep them current, clear and compliant.
* Support the training and coaching of new and existing staff, maintaining accurate training records.
* Investigate OOS (out-of-specification) and OOT (out-of-trend) results, contributing to root cause analysis and CAPA actions.
* Promote and maintain safe working practices within the laboratory.
* Help ensure the laboratory is always in an audit-ready state; participate in regulatory audits and support closure of any observations.
* Assist with scheduling laboratory work, including participation in weekend and holiday cover as required.

About you Qualifications
* Degree in
** Microbiology
* * or a related
** Biological Science** (or equivalent experience).

Skills & experience

You will bring:
* Previous practical
** laboratory experience**, ideally in a GMP-regulated environment.
* Strong working knowledge of
** GMP
* * and quality systems.
* Experience using
** LIMS
* * with the ability to troubleshoot and train others.
* Experience using
** SAP**, with confidence in supporting and training colleagues.
* Strong written English skills and the ability to produce clear, accurate documentation.
* Proven ability to troubleshoot and support resolution of complex deviations.
* Clear, confident communicator, able to explain technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
* Excellent time management and the flexibility to adapt to changing priorities.
* High attention to detail and accuracy, both in performing tests and in recording/reviewing data.
* A strong commitment to
** laboratory safety
** and
** GMP compliance**.What we offer
* The chance to…