Microbiology Technical Specialist – Contract

Microbiology Technical Specialist – Contract

Kelly Science & Clinical | Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Location: Tampa, FL Area | Local Candidates Only

Job Type: Temporary / Contract

Start Date: ASAP

Schedule: Monday–Friday, with occasional weekend work and flexibility required

Compensation: Competitive, based on experience

Position Overview

Kelly Science & Clinical is seeking an experienced Microbiology Technical Specialist for a contract opportunity supporting a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in the Tampa, FL area.

This position is ideal for a former Microbiology Supervisor, Microbiology Manager, or senior-level Microbiology professional with extensive hands-on laboratory experience who is looking to transition into a technical leadership and compliance-focused role.

The selected candidate will provide technical oversight and support for microbiology laboratory operations, regulatory compliance activities, investigations, qualifications, and continuous improvement initiatives.

This is a non-testing, non-people-management role. Candidates must possess a strong foundation in hands-on microbiology testing and be comfortable independently managing technical responsibilities, troubleshooting laboratory challenges, and driving projects to completion.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical support and subject matter expertise for microbiology laboratory operations, with an emphasis on bioburden testing and pharmaceutical microbiology.
• Support regulatory inspections, audit readiness, and laboratory compliance activities in accordance with applicable GMP and pharmacopeial requirements.
• Lead and support laboratory investigations, deviations, root cause analyses, corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs), and change controls.
• Author, review, and execute technical protocols, qualification documentation, investigation reports, and other GMP documentation.
• Support media qualifications, equipment qualifications, performance qualifications (PQ), and sterilization-related activities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on laboratory automation initiatives, including automated plate-reading systems and updated microbial identification technology.
• Provide technical input and execution support for equipment implementation, validation, and qualification projects.
• Troubleshoot microbiological testing processes, laboratory equipment, and technical issues to ensure timely resolution.
• Participate in project meetings, technical discussions, and cross-functional initiatives involving microbiology and sterilization processes.
• Coordinate technical deliverables, track project progress, and proactively address challenges to maintain established timelines.
• Utilize electronic quality and laboratory systems to manage documentation, investigations, change controls, and laboratory records.
• Maintain compliance with GMP, applicable regulatory requirements, internal procedures, and laboratory quality standards.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Biology, or a related scientific discipline preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant microbiology experience, preferably within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or contract manufacturing (CDMO) environments.
• Previous hands-on microbiology laboratory testing experience, particularly bioburden testing.
• Strong working knowledge of pharmaceutical microbiology, GMP requirements, and applicable USP/pharmacopeial standards.
• Demonstrated experience supporting laboratory investigations, CAPAs, deviations, change controls, and technical documentation.
• Experience authoring or reviewing protocols, technical reports, and qualification documentation.
• Ability to independently troubleshoot complex technical issues and coordinate multiple projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a proactive, solutions-oriented approach.
• Must be local to the area or within a reasonable commuting distance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Microbiology Supervisor, Senior Microbiologist, or Senior Microbiology Technician.
• Experience in sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing, particularly injectable products, aseptic processing, and classified manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of environmental monitoring, contamination control, and microbiological requirements for controlled environments.
• Experience with media qualifications, equipment qualifications, performance qualifications, and sterilization processes.
• Experience supporting laboratory automation, microbial identification systems, or automated plate-reading technologies.
• Familiarity with endotoxin testing.
• Experience using electronic quality and laboratory systems such as Documentum, CATSWeb, TrackWise, GLIMS, or comparable platforms.
• Background in pharmaceutical manufacturing, sterile injectables, medical devices, or CDMO operations.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a technically strong microbiology professional who can quickly step into a laboratory technical support role and contribute with minimal oversight.

This individual will bring a combination of hands-on microbiology expertise, regulatory compliance knowledge, investigation experience, and strong project execution skills.

Success in this position requires someone who is confident, self-directed, detail-oriented, and comfortable taking ownership of technical activities while collaborating with laboratory leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.

This opportunity is particularly well suited for an experienced Microbiology Supervisor or senior-level laboratory professional who enjoys solving technical problems, improving processes, and supporting regulatory compliance without direct personnel management responsibilities.

Why Join Kelly Science & Clinical?

At Kelly Science & Clinical, we connect talented scientific professionals with opportunities to make a meaningful impact in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and life sciences industries.

This contract opportunity offers the chance to contribute to critical microbiology compliance activities, laboratory modernization projects, and technical initiatives within a regulated manufacturing environment.

Apply today to learn more about this exciting opportunity with Kelly Science & Clinical!

Kelly is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunities to qualified candidates.

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