QC Microbiology Specialist (Pirbright, United Kingdom, Surrey)
Notify me about similar jobsAbout this opportunity
THE POSITION
We are looking for a QC Microbiology Specialist to join our Quality Control Microbiology team at our Pirbright site. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a background in microbiology or life sciences who is looking to develop their career within a GMP-regulated pharmaceutical environment. Working as part of the Quality Control Restricted (QCR) department, you will support microbiological testing activities and environmental monitoring programmes that contribute to the manufacture and release of veterinary vaccines. You will gain exposure to a wide range of microbiology techniques while working alongside experienced microbiologists in a supportive and collaborative team environment.
Location: Pirbright, UK. This is a fully onsite and fixed-term contract until end of December 2027.
TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Perform all aspects of in-process and final product testing, within scope of responsibility, where results are used to support release of batches to required specifications. Including receipt of test samples into QC, preparation of reagents and test equipment, performing testing and reviewing where required.
Co-ordinate and forward plan of resources according to priorities and workload. Compliance with all mandatory training requirements.
Lead investigate within the team and in cross functional teams, that independently handles complex, multi-faceted deviations, investigations, OOS, CAPAs and change controls that impact multiple departments. Writing and updating relevant SOPs and material specifications.
Be proactive in identifying Continuous Improvement (CI) projects and lead them to completion.
Ensure compliance of the area with HSE, Biosafety and GMP standards, by regularly reviewing and updating SOPs and participating in audits when necessary.
QC subject matter expert (SME) for microbiological testing within QCR and own a designated quality system.
Review EM data using current industry standards and maintain EM database, sharing data trends collaboratively to support site EM compliance. Support with the site utilities testing program and support the QC team with the site Environmental Monitoring program as required.
Deputise for the Microbiology Supervisor in their absence.
Lead representative on new or complex equipment qualifications and upgrades.
Maintain laboratory equipment, reagents, consumables and controlled documentation.
Support sterilisation activities and waste management processes within restricted laboratory areas.
REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Microbiology or equivalent.
Experience working in a regulated Quality Control laboratory environment.
Good knowledge of sterile manufacturing and the microbiology lab environment, including environmental monitoring, water testing, sterility testing and microbiological identification.
Understanding of GMP/GxP and quality systems.
Strong attention to detail and a commitment to accurate documentation.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
Well-organised, able to work to deadlines and collaborate effectively within a team.
Comfortable working in a restricted laboratory environment and following biosafety procedures.
WHY THIS IS A GREAT PLACE TO WORK
Boehringer Ingelheim is recognised as a Top Employer in the UK, reflecting our commitment to exceptional workplace standards, career development and a purpose-driven culture. Our employees contribute to meaningful work, creating long-term value for people, animals and the environment. Learn more about why BI is a great place to work:
https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.co.uk/careers/uk-careers/why-great-place-work
Candidates may be asked to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Security check. Any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory DBS certificate.
]]>
Job details
How this role compares
Computed from every other active Quality role in our database, not just this employer's listings.
We currently track 1075 comparable Quality roles across 129 biopharma companies.
Salary context
197 of 1075 peers report a salary range (USD, annualized)
Peers share this role's job function. This posting doesn't list a seniority level, so peers aren't narrowed by seniority either -- the range below may span more levels than usual.
Where these roles are based
Top locations among the 1075 comparable roles
+ 48 more countries
Seniority mix
475 of 1075 peers have a known seniority level
Therapeutic area mix
2 of 1075 peers have a known therapeutic area; the rest are genuinely unlabeled, not hidden
Similar opportunities
The closest matches from our peer group, ranked by how similar they are, not how well you'd qualify for them -- treat this as market context, not a guaranteed shortlist; a weak match is labeled as one below.
Notify me about similar jobs
Get an email when we spot other openings like this one – same job function, comparable seniority, roles you'd actually want to see.
How we calculate "similar"
No black box, no LLM guesswork: a deterministic score built from four normalized attributes. Here's this role's own peer group at different match levels, so you can see the mechanism, not just the result.
Every comparison starts from the same 100-point budget: 25 for working in the same function, 40 for the same therapeutic area, 20 for the same or adjacent seniority, 15 for the same country. A dimension we can't confirm on both sides contributes nothing, never a guess, never a free pass.
0 points, never a partial guess. A role we know almost nothing about beyond its function bottoms out at 25%; it never inflates to 100% just because there's little to compare against. Seniority uses a defined ladder (Associate → Manager → Associate Director → Senior → Principal → Director → Senior Director → Executive/VP) so "Director" and "Senior Director" count as adjacent, but "Director" and "Executive/VP" do not.