Microbiologist I / Pharma Industry

Our client, a world-leading Pharmaceutical Company in Athens, GA is currently looking for a Microbiologist I to join their expanding team.

Position Details:
Job Title: Microbiologist I / Pharma Industry
Duration: 24 months contract
Location: Athens, GA

Note:
The client has the right-to-hire you as a permanent employee at any time during or after the end of the contract.
You may participate in the company group medical insurance plan

Job Description:
Responsible under general supervision or working independently, for sampling and/or testing of final products, water, and other samples (e.g., equipment sanitization rinses) in adherence to appropriate test procedures and specifications for microorganisms and endotoxins.
Designs, conducts and interprets microbiological experiments to support ongoing operations, process improvement initiatives, and new product development activities.
Must be focused and have great attention to detail. No need to multi-task but MUST be able to focus and finish task with minimal/no errors.

Hours/Schedule:
40hrs/week, (1st shift)
All on-site.
Mon - Fri and every 3rd weekend (Sat and Sun, 4 hrs a day) and the week they work weekends, they get one day off during the week; keeping to 40 hr/week.
However, if they have work and need to work OT on Sat/Sun, they can, as long as it's justified.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities:
Summarizes and conducts preliminary data interpretation, maintains accurate documentation and timely reporting; gives scientific input based on current literature, and assists in writing abstracts and manuscripts.
Operates and maintains laboratory equipment, operates analytical and other instruments considered standard for area of expertise, including qualification, preventative maintenance and calibration, to ensure reliable, prompt, and accurate test data.
Review peer's laboratory data to ensure accuracy and completeness.
Maintain test methods, SOP's and other procedures pertinent to the operation of a microbiology laboratory.
Maintain and assist QC supervision in the daily activities surrounding the operation of the microbiological laboratory.
Prepare and analyze samples in accordance with USP, test methods and FDA guidelines.
Perform and review microbiological analyses of finished products, water testing, and environmental monitoring.
Performs biological indicator, growth promotion, endotoxin, and bioburden testing, and microbial identifications.
Prepare media, standards, reagents, and glassware necessary for performing microbiological analyses, including appropriate controls and documentation.
Maintain laboratory records in accordance with company policies.
Perform operation of all laboratory equipment to ensure reliable, prompt, and accurate test data.
Establish good laboratory practices and adhere to cGMP guidelines to maintain a clean and safe microbiology laboratory.
Performs housekeeping to assure lab is continuously maintained in a safe and orderly condition.
Orders laboratory supplies, media, and chemicals as needed to ensure stock is up-to-date and complete.
Perform other appropriate duties as assigned by the Quality Control Manager or QC Supervisor.

Additional Position Requirements:
Comply with all established written test methods, procedures, and corporate guidelines.
Ability to work independently, but also requires the need to understand when assistance should be sought.
Partner with receiving, manufacturing, technical and waste treatment operations personnel relative to the receipt, sampling, and testing of materials.
Carries out duties in compliance with all state and federal regulations and guidelines including FDA, EPA, OSHA and DEA. Complies with all company and site policies and procedures. Ensures data integrity.
Assumes responsibility for the environmental effects of work performed and for the identification and recording of environmental problems as they arise.
Understand and perform duties with attention to quality, safety, and environmental matters.
Items include wearing appropriate personal protective equipment; recognizing, reporting, and appropriately responding to hazards in the work area (spills/accidents/near misses); maintaining proper housekeeping at all times; properly labeling and storing chemicals; and all other relevant job requirements.
Successful and timely completion of regulatory and job training requirements.
Other projects or assignments as requested by management.
Must be available for overtime work on a scheduled or emergency basis.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
None

Education And/Or Experience:
B.S. in Microbiology or a related field or a minimum of 2 years' experience in laboratory environment where aseptic technique is applied.

Language Skills:
Be able to read, write, and understand Basic English.
Effectively present information and respond to questions of top managers, clients, customers, regulatory agencies and the general public.
Strong technical writing skills.

Reasoning Ability:
Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.
Deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, etc.,) in its most difficult phases.

Other Skills Abilities Or Qualifications:
Experience using aseptic techniques in sampling and testing materials.
Working knowledge of and experience working with cGMPs.
Knowledge of FDA recommended procedures (Bacteriological Analytical Methods) or equivalent test methods is desired.
Must have proven skills to perform tasks accurately, not requiring close supervision.
Proficient with Microsoft Office software programs, including MS Outlook. Proven ability to effectively use software applications for data entry, data analysis, word processing, presentations, and calculations.
Ability to perform under stress in cases of emergency, critical or hazardous situations.
Ability to work with others in a team environment.
Must have proficient knowledge of cGMPs, safety and environmental regulations as they apply to a pharmaceutical or chemical manufacturing environment.
Must have strong technical and troubleshooting skills as demonstrated through prior performance achievements.
Must be able to manage multiple priorities on a daily basis while being flexible and responsive to frequently shifting priorities.
Possesses strong leadership, conflict management and team-building skills.

Physical Demands:
The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear.

The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and smell.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

The employee must frequently use fine motor skills of the hands to perform detail tasks such as weighing micrograms.