Microbiologist I

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 life-changing careers, and 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, manufacturing environments, and finished products throughout the production process, identifying potential microbial contamination, and maintaining compliance with regulatory standards to guarantee patient safety.

Relationships

Manager.

Essential Functions

• Perform routine and non-routine microbiological assays on raw materials, water, in-process samples, packaging materials, and finished products to detect the presence of microorganisms
• Sample and analyze air, surfaces, and water within the manufacturing facility to monitor for microbial contamination
• Provide support in establishing, validating, and maintaining standard operating procedures (SOPs) and equipment for microbiological testing methods
• Ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and regulatory requirements related to microbial testing
• Isolate and identify microorganisms using various techniques like culture-based methods, molecular biology, and automated systems
• Perform sterility tests on sterile pharmaceutical products to ensure their freedom from viable microorganisms
• Provide training as directed to laboratory technicians on proper microbiological techniques and ensuring accurate documentation of all testing activities
• Identify improvements to ensure a better and faster execution of QC Micro development and transfer activities
• Ensure GMP compliance in work processes and implementation of new or revised requirements affecting the departments processes
• Ensure working in compliance with QMS and OHS standards
• Provide sufficient quality for scientific and regulatory documentation
• Participate in multidisciplinary project groups
• Contribute proactively to cLEAN process improvement activities
• Perform general laboratory duties including cleaning and maintenance of equipment, work areas, and cleaning of the microbiology laboratory
• 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 color 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
• May consider an associate’s degree in microbiology or related field from an accredited college with a minimum of two (2) 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
• May consider a High School Diploma/GED with a minimum of four (4) 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
• Minimum of two (2) 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 preferred
• Strong understanding of microbiology principles, including microbial identification, culture techniques, and sterilization methods preferred
• Experience with GMP regulations and quality control procedures preferred
• Proficiency in laboratory techniques such as aseptic technique, microbial enumeration, and molecular biology methods preferred
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills preferred
• 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 a plus
• 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 recognize that it is no longer good enough to aspire to be the best company in the world. We need to aspire to be the best company for the world and we know that this is only possible with talented employees with diverse perspectives, backgrounds and cultures. We are therefore committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates the diversity of our employees, the patients we serve and communities we operate in. Together, we’re life changing.

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.