Senior Microbiologist

What is it like to work for Zoetis, the world leader in animal health? Zoetis means something a little different to every colleague, but at our core, our purpose 'to nurture the world and humankind by advancing care for animals' is what unites us in all our roles.

We are a global animal health company dedicated to serving veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals in more than one hundred countries. And we are excited to become a part of the Lithia Springs, GA, community as we build our newest manufacturing facility to support our growing monoclonal antibody and vaccine portfolios.

We are currently searching for a Microbiologist to join our team.

Summary

The Quality Controls Laboratory group conducts routine testing for manufactured products. Qualified Microbiologist applicants would have expertise in performing microbiological laboratory procedures in compliance with specifications in Standard Operating Procedures and Standard Test Procedures used to support testing and release of product. Additional skills of interest include microbial assay validation and troubleshooting, proven ability to train team members, project management, and report writing.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Microbiologist

• Support daily decision-making by preparing data analyses and recommendations; escalate risks per SOP
• Execute and troubleshoot routine assays; document deviations and contribute to investigations
• Draft SOPs and implement defined improvements; participate in LEAN events
• Perform basic statistical analysis and generate routine reports
• Interact with interdepartmental customers such as Manufacturing, Regulatory, and Quality Assurance
• Perform laboratory testing associated with transfer projects
• Work with Maintenance and Engineering to improve laboratory and equipment operation
• Participate in outline reviews as an SME reviewer, provide SAP data extracts, and perform routine data analytics using basic statistical analysis
• Provide support for routine laboratory activities outside of testing including LEAN projects and Critical Reagent Management
• Demonstrate expertise and participate in laboratory responsibilities, including training, paperwork review and approval, and laboratory investigation support.

Senior Microbiologist

• Provide process leadership for key microbiology quality programs (e.g., Media Fill Program, MODA administration, Environmental Monitoring) by contributing to program strategy and driving execution of established KPIs, governance, and continuous improvement plans aligned with site Quality objectives.
• Lead daily microbiology decision-making, including go/no-go calls, prioritization, and stakeholder communications
• Lead root cause analyses and CAPA; review and approve data, reports, and material dispositions
• Coordinate daily lab execution by partnering on scheduling, inventory planning, and workload forecasting; identify constraints and propose priority trade-offs.
• Define training curricula and competency standards; authorize training sign-offs and method qualifications
• Independently manage ordering and inventory of materials and supplies
• Represent microbiology in cross-functional forums; influence plans and negotiate priorities

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Education: B.S. or M.S. (or equivalent) in Biological Sciences or a closely related field.
• Microbiologist:
  • M.S. with 2-6 years of microbiological laboratory experience, or
  • B.S. with 4-8 years of microbiological laboratory experience.
• Senior Microbiologist:
  • B.S. or M.S. with 9+ years of microbiological laboratory experience.
• Experience performing / troubleshooting / developing microbiological assays.
• Exceptional Organizational, Communication, and Interpersonal skills.

TECHNICAL SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Minimum Qualifications

• Understanding of Biological and Chemical Processes common to Quality Control Testing
• Understanding of Biological Regulatory Requirements and Licensure Process
• Self-starter, able to prioritize work and work efficiently with minimal supervision
• Complete calculations using basic math
• Understand metric system and basic statistics
• Ability to solve practical problems with a variety of concrete variables
• Ability to make logical decisions concerning team and department issues
• Ability to make laboratory decisions in absence of supervision
• Ability to recognize product quality issues based on company guidelines
• Ability to train colleagues in fundamentals and technical aspects of microbiological assays.
• Excellent verbal/written communication, organizational and interpersonal

Preferred Qualifications

• Advance understanding of microbiology
• Experience with facility start-up and analytical method transfer
• Experience with equipment qualification
• Existing knowledge of FDA, USDA, EMA, and compendial requirements associated with Quality Control assay development and testing
• Proven project and time management experience including technical writing of protocols and reports

Physical Position Requirements

• Manual dexterity using hands and fingers
• This job entails sitting or standing at a laboratory bench or desk.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision work
• Occasional need to sit, reach with hands and arms
• Ability to work flexible hours, work weekend and overtime

Any unsolicited resumes sent to Zoetis from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Zoetis mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Zoetis employees, or to Zoetis resume database will be considered Zoetis property. Zoetis will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.

Zoetis will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search.