🧬 Microbiology Team Lead
📍 Galway, Ireland (some remote flex)
🕒 Permanent Position
🧠 Focus: Investigations, Projects, Equipment Qualification & Team Leadership
🧪 Sterile Pharmaceuticals / Biologics
🏢 Role Context
An exciting opportunity for a senior microbiology professional with 7+ years' experience in sterile pharmaceutical or biologics manufacturing to join a major sterile manufacturing site as Team Lead, responsible for Projects & Investigations.
You will lead microbiology investigations, support equipment and automation projects, and provide leadership to Level III microbiology personnel.
🎯 What You Will Do
- Lead microbiology investigations from initiation through closure
- Drive robust root cause analysis and impact assessments
- Support and coordinate laboratory projects and automation initiatives
- Manage equipment qualification activities including IQ/OQ/PQ documentation
- Work with vendors, QA, Technical Services and Manufacturing stakeholders
- Run Tier 1 operational meetings and track investigation/project progress
- Support Annex 1 compliance activities
- Prioritise multiple workstreams across a busy GMP laboratory
- Mentor and support technicians within the microbiology team
✅ What We're Looking For
- Degree in Microbiology, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline
- 7+ years' microbiology experience within pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical or biologics manufacturing
- Proven track record leading microbiology investigations end-to-end, not just contributing to them
- Prior experience operating at Team Lead, Senior Microbiologist or equivalent level (even without formal direct reports)
- Strong understanding of sterile manufacturing, environmental monitoring and Annex 1 expectations
- Experience with media fills, equipment qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) and GMP documentation
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
- Ability to balance operational priorities with improvement initiatives