Senior Microbiologist - Virginia (Petersburg, VA, US)

About the Department

For more than 100 years, Novo Nordisk has been tackling the unmet medical needs of people living with serious chronic diseases, such as diabetes & obesity. Being part of Novo Nordisk allows our employees to embark on the opportunity to help improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world.

Our new Petersburg, Virginia site marks a strategic move to advance our capabilities in Emerging Technologies (ET) within Chemical API development and production. The highly experienced site is designed to strengthen and accelerate our Small Molecule (SMOL) strategy while amplifying our operational capacity. This is to safeguard and support ET´s SMOL projects in the coming years, aligning with our vision and strengthening our potential for growth and innovation.

What we offer you:

Leading pay and annual performance bonus for all positions

All employees enjoy generous paid time off including 14 paid holidays

Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance – effective day one

Guaranteed 8% 401K contribution plus individual company match option

Family Focused Benefits including 14 weeks paid parental & 6 weeks paid family medical leave

Free access to Novo Nordisk-marketed pharmaceutical products

Tuition Assistance

Life & Disability Insurance

Employee Referral Awards

At Novo Nordisk, you will find opportunities, resources, and mentorship to help grow and build your career. Are you ready to realize your potential? Join Team Novo Nordisk and help us make what matters.

The Position

Responsible for ensuring the sterility and quality of pharmaceutical products by performing microbiological tests on raw materials and, manufacturing environments and finished products throughout the production process, identifying potential microbial contamination and maintaining compliance with regulatory standards to guarantee patient safety.

Relationships

Reports to Manager.

Essential Functions

Perform or oversee routine and non-routine microbiological assays on raw materials, water and release samples to detect the presence of microorganisms

Sample and analyse air, surfaces and water within the manufacturing facility to monitor for microbial contamination

Author, review and approve test methods and standard operating procedures (SOPs)

Perform or oversee validations for new equipment and test methods

Author, review and approve protocols and reports

Author, review and approve testing requirements or specifications

Ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and regulatory requirements

Maintain accurate and detailed records of experiments, results and procedures in laboratory notebooks and electronic systems, ensuring data integrity

Perform peer review of laboratory documentation and lab data to ensure compliance with laboratory SOPs and test methods

Isolate and identify microorganisms using various techniques like culture-based methods, molecular biology and automated systems

Provide training and coaching on proper microbiological techniques

Assist peers with troubleshooting general laboratory instrumentation, analysis and methodologies

May serve as process area responsible for lab related systems, software, or processes

Support area process manager (APM) by providing technical expertise on relevant lab related topics

Participate in multidisciplinary project groups

Contribute and lead cLEAN process improvement activities

Support and lead investigations of laboratory samples and help determine appropriate corrective and preventive actions

Support and lead Deviations related to microbial analysis

Oversee and assign general laboratory duties including cleaning and maintenance of equipment, work areas and cleaning of the microbiology laboratory

Support management on setting key performance indicators (KPIs)

Follow all safety & environmental requirements in the performance of duties

Other duties as assigned

Physical Requirements

Moves equipment &/or supplies weighing up to 33 pounds within the facility using various body positions. Ability to do close precision work with their hands. Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sitting and standing) 50% of the time. May required corrected vision to 20/25 based on role. May require colour vision based on role. Occasionally ascends/descends a ladder. May be required to work at elevated heights. Occasionally works around odorous &/or hazardous materials. May be required to wear respiratory protection, which includes medical surveillance and verification of pulmonary fitness. May be required to fully gown for entrance into GMP areas.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in microbiology or science related field from an accredited university required and a minimum of six (6) years of experience performing routine and non-routine microbiological assays on raw materials, water, in-process samples, packaging materials and finished products or related experience required

In lieu of Bachelor’s degree and six (6) years of experience, may consider an Associate’s degree in microbiology or related field from an accredited college with minimum of eight (8) years of experience performing routine and non-routine microbiological assays on raw materials, water, in-process samples, packaging materials and finished products or related experience required

In lieu of Bachelor’s degree and six (6) years of experience, may consider a High School Diploma/GED with a minimum of ten (10)) years of experience performing routine and non-routine microbiological assays on raw materials, water, in-process samples, packaging materials and finished products or related experience required

Strong understanding of microbiology principles, including microbial identification, culture techniques and sterilization methods required

Experience with GMP regulations and quality control procedures required

Proficiency in laboratory techniques such as aseptic technique, microbial enumeration and molecular biology methods required

Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills required

Detail-oriented with strong documentation and record-keeping abilities required

Ability to work independently and as part of a team required

Excellent communication skills to effectively report findings and collaborate with other departments required

Ability to set scientific direction and mobilize a project work and activities required

Good collaboration skills with and interaction with many departments required

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and defeating diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.

Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.

If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

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