Microbiology Technical Specialist

Job Description

Our facility in Dunboyne joined our network in September 2020. Our Dunboyne site is our Company’s first Biologics Drug Substance Single Use Commercialisation Facility, playing an important role in helping to commercialise key medicines. The cutting-edge innovation and collaboration between our Company’s research and manufacturing teams will significantly accelerate the time it takes to bring a medicine to market for the benefit of patients around the world.

Our Dunboyne site now has a great opportunity for a Microbiology Technical Specialist.

What you will do:

Bring energy, knowledge, innovation and leadership to carry out the following:

• Operate as part of self-directed work team in allocating testing and assigning tasks based on priorities, including daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly tasks. Perform tasks with a high degree of precision and accuracy and ensure others do likewise.
• Organise, schedule and coordinate routine day-to-day laboratory operations and Microbiology validation activities.
• Liaise effectively with external groups such as Manufacturing, Tech Ops, CQV, Plant Engineering and QA to ensure laboratory support is available as required and testing timelines are met.
• Ensure adherence to lab testing schedules, applying Lean Lab methodology.
• Provide technical expertise, training and support to laboratory technicians and ensure that objectives are effectively achieved.
• Ensures testing/data review are supported and that results are available within lead times to laboratory customers. Anticipated delays should be escalated, with proposed solutions for resolution.
• Ensures projects are supported and completed as per project timelines. Anticipated delays should be escalated, with proposed solutions for resolution.
• Author/provide leadership in the Laboratory/Contamination investigations using own initiative and with minimum supervision.
• Coach and mentor the Laboratory Team.
• Drive Continuous Improvement in the lab including implementation of lean projects
• Work according to Company safety policies, cGMP and cGLP.
• Facilitate and drive effective communication to ensure success.
• Ensure the Lab Tier/handovers are facilitated, and attendance expectations are met. 
• Provide support with audit/inspection requirements to ensure department compliance/readiness.
• Participate in internal and external audits and inspections, taking the role of auditee for assigned areas of responsibility.

In order to excel in this role, you will more than likely have:

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher preferred; ideally in Microbiology or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum of 6-8 years’ experience in the Microbiology Pharmaceutical industry or a similar operating environment.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience.
• Strong knowledge in microbiology related lab test method methods e.g. Environmental Monitoring, Microbial Identifications, Bioburden testing, Endotoxin testing, Biological Indicator Testing, Absence of Contamination Testing (BacT), Growth Promotion/Sterility Testing.
• Experience with New Product Introduction and Microbiology Method Validation experience.
• Investigation experience.
• Demonstrated project work/project management.

We keep the patient at the very heart of all that we do and strive to find solutions and treatments for some of the world's most challenging healthcare needs.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together.

Please don't hesitate to contact the Talent Acquisition Advisor assigned to this role should you need any support during our recruitment process.

We are committed to flexible working where possible, and this is why our Company has introduced a new hybrid working model for office-based colleagues around the world.

Please feel free to speak to us about what flexibility means to you during your application.

So, if you are ready to:

Invent solutions to meet unmet healthcare needs, please apply today.

Required Skills:

Analytical Method Development, Conducting Investigations, Environmental Monitoring, Microbiological Test, Microbiology Lab Techniques, Team Supervision

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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:

Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

07/8/2026

*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.