Microbiologist

IFF•Clackamas, OR

4d•$72,352 - $90,440•Onsite

About The Position

This role involves performing microbiological testing on dietary supplement products, troubleshooting lab equipment, and ensuring compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 and cGMP standards. Responsibilities include data integrity, method validation, and supporting continuous improvement projects in a BSL-3 environment. Candidates should have a bachelor’s in microbiology or related field, 2–5 years QC lab experience, and strong technical and documentation skills.

Requirements

A legal right to work in the United States
Must pass pre-employment drug screen and background check
Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Biology, Food Science, or related field.
2–5 years of microbiology experience in a QC or regulated lab.
Hands-on experience with AOAC methods and routine microbiology workflows.
Ability to troubleshoot microbiology instruments and laboratory equipment.
Strong understanding of ISO/IEC 17025 requirements (method validation/verification, traceability, document control).
Excellent documentation skills; proficiency with Excel and MS Office.

Nice To Haves

Experience in dietary supplement or food testing laboratories; familiarity with 21 CFR Part 111.
Prior involvement in probiotic enumeration, method verification, and proficiency testing.
Lean/Six Sigma or continuous improvement experience; exposure to CAPA/RCA.

Responsibilities

Perform routine and non-routine microbiological analyses on raw materials, in-process samples, and finished dietary supplement products, including: Total aerobic count, yeast/mold, coliforms/E. coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria (as applicable to product risk); Indicator organisms and pathogen screens using AOAC-validated methods and lab SOPs.
Execute sample preparation, serial dilutions, plating, incubation, enumeration/identification, and confirmation.
Operate and maintain rapid microbiology platforms, primarily Soleris (Neogen), including assay setup, calibration checks, control verification, and result interpretation.
Diagnose and resolve issues with Soleris instruments, incubators, biosafety cabinets, autoclaves, balances, and pipettes.
Perform routine preventive maintenance, calibrations/verifications, and coordinate vendor service when needed.
Lead root cause analysis (RCA) for out-of-trend results or equipment deviations; implement CAPA and document impact assessments.
Follow and improve SOPs, test method validations/verifications, and uncertainty of measurement where applicable.
Ensure complete traceability, chain of custody, and method adherence in alignment with the laboratory’s ISO/IEC 17025 scope.
Author and review test reports, method validations, and nonconformance and deviation records.
Participate in internal audits, proficiency testing/interlaboratory comparisons, and support external assessments.
Record data contemporaneously and accurately.
Review and approve results, calculations, and certificates of analysis (CoAs).
Plan and execute minor R&D projects (e.g., method optimizations, alternative rapid methods, media studies).
Design small-scale experiments, write protocols, analyze data, and present findings to stakeholders.
Pilot process improvements to reduce TAT, improve robustness, and enhance throughput while maintaining compliance.
Comply with Biosafety Level 3 practices, chemical hygiene, and waste management.
Support 21 CFR Part 111 (cGMP for dietary supplements) interfaces as relevant to QC testing and release decisions.
Participate in training and help maintain a culture of safety and continuous improvement.