Job Description:

Senior Technician

• Microbiology & Sterility Laboratory – Quality Control

Fixed term: 2 years

Join Our Team

Are you passionate about microbiology and ensuring the highest standards of product quality? We’re looking for a Senior Microbiology & Sterility Technician to play a key role in our Quality Control laboratories. This is an exciting opportunity to combine hands-on laboratory experience with senior-level responsibility, supporting aseptic manufacturing and contributing to the reliable supply of vaccines to customers worldwide. The role would be ideal for candidates with a background in Microbiology and previous exposure to aseptic manufacturing processes looking to step into a more senior role within the laboratory.

Purpose of the Role

The Senior Microbiology & Sterility Technician will perform microbiological and sterility testing within the Quality Control laboratories, ensuring compliance with cGMP, pharmacopoeia, and dossier requirements. As a senior member of the team, you will be involved in batch release activities, cross-functional investigations, data analysis and preparation of technical documentation, while promoting a strong culture of safety and compliance. You will also become an SME in the use of LIMS and/or SAP to support users across the site.

As a Senior Microbiology & Sterility Technician, you will perform and oversee microbiological and sterility testing within our QC laboratories, ensuring full compliance with cGMP,pharmacopoeia and regulatory dossier requirements.

You will be a senior member of the lab team, contributing to:

• Batch release activities

• Cross-functional investigations

• Data analysis and reporting

• Technical documentation and SOP updates

• Continuous improvement initiatives

You will also develop as a **subject matter expert (SME)**in LIMS and/or SAP, providing support and guidance to colleagues across the site.

Key responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Perform and oversee microbiology and sterility testing of submitted samples.

• Ensure all testing is carried out in line with GMP, pharmacopoeia, dossiers and internal quality standards.

• Identify and support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance compliance, productivity and/or cost efficiency.

• Assist with the introduction and validation of new methods, laboratory equipment and biomaterials.

• Support batch release activities according to production priorities, escalating potential supply risks when required.

• Provide data and summaries for Product Quality Reviews and environmental monitoring meetings/reports.

• Update and maintain SOPs and other documentation to keep them current, clear and compliant.

• Support the training and coaching of new and existing staff, maintaining accurate training records.

• Investigate OOS (out-of-specification) and OOT (out-of-trend) results, contributing to root cause analysis and CAPA actions.

• Promote and maintain safe working practices within the laboratory.

• Help ensure the laboratory is always in an audit-ready state; participate in regulatory audits and support closure of any observations.

• Assist with scheduling laboratory work, including participation in weekend and holiday cover as required.

About you

Qualifications:

• Degree in Microbiology or a related Biological Science (or equivalent experience).

Skills & experience

You will bring:

• Previous practical laboratory experience, ideally in a GMP-regulated environment.

• Strong working knowledge of GMP and quality systems.

• Experience using LIMS with the ability to troubleshoot and train others.

• Experience using SAP, with confidence in supporting and training colleagues.

• Strong written English skills and the ability to produce clear, accurate documentation.

• Proven ability to troubleshoot and support resolution of complex deviations.

• Clear, confident communicator, able to explain technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Excellent time management and the flexibility to adapt to changing priorities.

• High attention to detail and accuracy, both in performing tests and in recording/reviewing data.

• A strong commitment to laboratory safety and GMP compliance.

What we offer

• The chance to directly contribute to the reliable supply of vaccines to patients worldwide.

• A senior, hands-on laboratory role with clear opportunities to develop SME status and broader quality skills.

• Exposure to cross-functional teams (Production, QA, Validation, etc.) and regulatory interactions.

• A collaborative, supportive environment focused on scientific excellence, safety and continuous improvement.

Ready to make an impact?

If you’re excited by the opportunity to apply your microbiology expertise in a senior QC role and support the delivery of high-quality vaccines, we’d love to hear from you.

Closing date for applications: 13/03/2026

Required Skills:

Batch Releases, GMP Compliance, GMP Laboratory, Laboratory Analytical Techniques, Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Laboratory Investigations, Laboratory Operations, Microbiological Test, Microbiology, Quality Control Management, Quality Management, Quality Standards

Preferred Skills:

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Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status:

Temporary (Fixed Term)

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/a

Job Posting End Date:

03/14/2026

A job posting is effective until 11: 59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.