Microbiology Analyst

Curia provides global contract research and manufacturing services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. We have a fantastic opportunity to come and join our growing Microbiology team here in Glasgow. If you are looking for your first role after your degree this is the perfect opportunity to kick start your career with excellent training in a fast-paced global organisation. We pursue excellence because our work has the power to improve patient’s lives with the pharmaceuticals we develop and manufacture.

Our Micro team operates as a support function for the facility, ensuring that all samples (API, excipients, in-process samples, finished product samples, stability samples, and water testing) are sampled, received, controlled, and tested in a timely fashion. As part of production support, effective environmental monitoring, staff gown monitoring, and overall direction regarding the maintenance of effective microbial control are performed. All work is performed within the Glasgow facility and operates to ensure that sterile products are manufactured to GMP.

Curia provides a great platform for learning, here is an example of tasks you will be trained in and have responsibility for:

1. Enumeration of microbial growth from environmental monitoring plates and other microbial samples
2. Microbial identification via Gram stain, spore stain & Vitek
3. Sampling of process water and Total Viable Count (TVC), Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and pH testing of process water samples
4. Downloading and assessment of particle counts
5. Perform ‘at rest’ environmental monitoring
6. Perform training and gowning monitoring of cleanroom operators and maintain gown qualification personally
7. Inspection and growth promotion of pre-prepared and PST media
8. Perform relevant checks including airflow, temperature checks of incubators, fridges and freezers, prodigy checks and trending and equipment calibration checks (e.g. pipettes, water bath etc)
9. Identifying system failures and report to more senior members of department and line management in a timely manner and following departmental SOPs.
10. Reporting of OOS / atypicals to key personnel
11. Providing good housekeeping and safety at all times including performing cleaning and cleanroom disinfectant testing.
12. Bioburden validation
13. Ensures completion and filing of relevant certificates/documentation/reports is performed in adherence with GMP and departmental procedures
14. Product and water endotoxin testing by kinetic turbidometric method
15. Sterility testing & validation using membrane filtration (e.g. Steritest)

Skills and Qualifications

1. Ideally, recently educated to degree level, or equivalent, in a Science related discipline, preferably Biology or Microbiology
2. Any experience in operating laboratory equipment is an advantage.
3. It is highly desirable if you can demonstrate Good practical skills in Microbiology and it is an advantage to have knowledge and/or experience in a GMP environment and, understanding of regulatory commitments, e.g. GMP, ICH, COSHH, etc.

Learning and Development is a key focus at Curia, therefore, we would like an ongoing commitment to training and development in Microbiology or related field. The role involves a high throughput of samples and therefore the Analyst must be able to:

1. Effectively organise their own workload with guidance from your line manager.
2. Adapt to changing priorities in workload without compromising quality.
3. Remain aware of workload levels and priorities within the lab and communicate these to line management where necessary.
4. Ensure good levels of documentation; legible writing; clear structure.
5. Adopt right first time culture

This position will be well-suited to a recent graduate, at the early stages of their career. A full, extensive training program will be provided with the expectation to progress and develop quickly within an expanding team.

Hours: 8-hour shifts including breaks, paid overtime available