Microbiologist

Position: Microbiologist (Fixed term 12 month contract)
Welcome to Haleon. We’re a purpose-driven, world-class consumer company putting everyday health in the hands of millions. In just three years since our launch, we’ve grown, evolved and are now entering an exciting new chapter – one filled with bold ambitions and enormous opportunity.

Our trusted portfolio of brands – including Sensodyne, Panadol, Advil, Voltaren, Theraflu, Otrivin, and Centrum – lead in resilient and growing categories. What sets us apart is our unique blend of deep human understanding and trusted science.

Now it’s time to fully realise the full potential of our business and our people. We do this through our Win as One strategy. It puts our purpose – to deliver better everyday health with humanity – at the heart of everything we do. It unites us, inspires us, and challenges us to be better every day, driven by our agile, performance-focused culture.

Microbiology Scientist Secondment 12 months

Job Purpose The Haleon Oral Healthcare R&D team supports the development of leading global Consumer Healthcare brands across both R&D and Supply Chain projects. As part of the Oral Healthcare Microbiology Research team and reporting to the Microbiology Research Team Leader, the Microbiology Scientist will provide technical support to project teams through microbiological evaluation and assessment of product efficacy and robustness.

Position Purpose Provide scientifically robust microbiology expertise that supports product development, launch readiness, quality and compliance, while proactively identifying risks and delivering practical solutions aligned with business priorities.

Key Responsibilities Design, execute and interpret microbiological assays to evaluate product efficacy and robustness, including antimicrobial and preservative efficacy testing and kill-time methodologies.

Ensure Microbiology Quality by Design (QbD) principles and relevant regulatory requirements are incorporated into project plans.

Maintain a strong overview of projects and business priorities, anticipate potential issues and work proactively to develop effective solutions.

Deliver routine and non-routine microbiological work on time, following good scientific practice or Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), as applicable, and approved written procedures.

Develop test plans using Design of Experiments (DoE) principles to generate robust data packages for new product launches.

Follow documented laboratory procedures, ensuring samples are correctly handled and all relevant sample information, records and quality data are complete and accurate.

Review internal and external microbiology data, highlighting issues, alerts or outages and recommending appropriate actions.

Conduct root-cause analysis and implement effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).Ensure adherence to Quality, Environment, Health and Safety practices and support internal and external audits and inspections.

Key Competencies Technical proficiency in microbiology and the independent application of relevant laboratory methods.

Strong experimental design, data interpretation and scientific problem-solving skills.

Ability to balance project requirements, quality standards and business priorities.

Clear communication of microbiological risks, findings and recommended actions to project stakeholders.

Commitment to good scientific practice, data integrity, quality, safety and continuous improvement.

Skills & Experience Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences, Biological Sciences or a closely related discipline, with a specialisation in Microbiology.

Experience working in a microbiology laboratory where independent experimental design, testing and research are required.

Experience in antimicrobial or preservative efficacy testing, release testing and kill-time methodologies.

Basic qualificationsA Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences, Biological Sciences or a closely related discipline is required because of the technical and scientific nature of the products, research and laboratory activities managed and performed in this role.

Desirable Knowledge of the product development process and microbiology requirements…