Microbiologist jobs in Nebraska

This job description reflects assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for the microbiological testing of fermenter vessels and environment. Requires tracking and trending of results as well as working with a team to troubleshoot foreign growth sources. This position also provides support for fermentation improvement efforts in the laboratory.

This position works with minimal supervision and has no direct reports. Duties will require interaction with production, operators, and other lab personnel.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in Biology, Microbiology or Life Sciences.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Advanced understanding of biology.
• Flexibility in responding to changing production conditions and demands.
• PC literate with Microsoft Office Suite- Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Outlook
• Ability to gather, manipulate, analyze, and act upon data.
• Ability to work without supervision.
• Commitment to follow established policies, practices, procedures, and to review policy/procedures changes with work team and management.
• Resourcefulness, efficiency, and effectiveness working with all levels of employees.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills (in English).
• Ability to access all areas of a manufacturing plant.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Safely and properly demonstrate expertise in microbiology laboratory techniques and equipment such as aseptic technique, microscopy, medium preparation, disinfection, autoclave, and hoods. Documents all laboratory work using GLP and cGMP, for example by using process change authorizations, creating and updating laboratory SOPs. Performs vessel and environmental bioburden and bacteriophage testing. Initiates investigations to work with team to identify and remediate sources of bioburden. Identification of microorganisms via contract laboratory or an automated identification system to type foreign growth sources. Documents activities, protocols, and results in report form. For example, monthly progress reports and daily emails. Tracks and trends results. Assists in ensuring the reliability of equipment and timely maintenance as well as ensuring the availability of media and other materials to enable an efficient throughput of routine and project work in the laboratories. Performs experiments supporting fermentation improvements. Provides support for the aseptic inoculation of production vessels.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee will be required to utilize certain Personal Protective Equipment, including but not limited to, hard hats, safety ("steel-toed") shoes, eye protection, gloves, and protective clothing.

Any unsolicited resumes sent to Zoetis from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Zoetis mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Zoetis employees, or to Zoetis resume database will be considered Zoetis property. Zoetis will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.

Zoetis will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search.