Microbiologist III

Job Title: Microbiologist III Job Description
The Microbiologist III plays a key role in supporting biopharmaceutical manufacturing by performing comprehensive environmental monitoring, utility sampling, and microbiological testing across ISO 8 to ISO 5 cleanrooms and process areas. This position focuses on ensuring product quality and regulatory compliance through accurate testing, meticulous documentation, and maintaining an audit-ready laboratory environment.
Responsibilities
- Perform environmental monitoring (EM) activities in cleanrooms and process areas, including viable air testing, non-viable particle testing, viable surface testing, and personnel monitoring across ISO 8 to ISO 5 classifications.
- Conduct sampling of utilities such as water, steam, and compressed gases as needed to support manufacturing and quality control operations.
- Perform laboratory testing including enumeration of environmental monitoring plates and water bioburden plates.
- Carry out routine water collection and testing, including pH, conductivity, Total Organic Carbon (TOC), endotoxin testing, and bioburden analysis.
- Perform growth promotion testing to verify the suitability of microbiological media and methods.
- Execute quantitative and qualitative assays to measure the total population of viable microorganisms (bacteria, yeast, and molds) present on or inside medical devices, pharmaceutical products, raw materials, or components before sterilization.
- Perform essential laboratory support functions, including cleaning and maintaining controlled temperature units such as incubators and refrigerators.
- Complete daily chart readings and maintain accurate records of test results, environmental data, and equipment performance.
- Maintain Biological Safety Cabinet Level 2 and other laboratory equipment in a clean, functional, and compliant state.
- Apply aseptic techniques consistently during sampling, testing, and handling of materials to prevent contamination.
- Maintain the laboratory area, including routine cleaning of benches, incubators, refrigerators, and Biological Safety Cabinets, to ensure an audit-ready state at all times.
- Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) in all activities to ensure regulatory compliance and data integrity.
- Document all work clearly, accurately, and in a timely manner in accordance with quality and regulatory requirements.
- Collaborate with colleagues in Quality Control Microbiology and manufacturing to support ongoing clinical trials and production activities.
- Perform other related responsibilities and tasks as assigned to support laboratory and manufacturing operations.
Essential Skills
- Demonstrated experience working with bacteria and sterile techniques in a laboratory setting.
- Hands-on experience with environmental monitoring, including viable air testing, particle testing, and surface testing in controlled environments.
- Knowledge of testing in ISO 8 to ISO 5 cleanrooms and the associated environmental and contamination control requirements.
- Proficiency in microbiological techniques such as plating and bioburden testing.
- Experience with water collection and testing, including pH, conductivity, TOC, endotoxin, and bioburden analysis.
- Ability to clean and maintain incubators, refrigerators, and other controlled temperature units.
- Familiarity with Biological Safety Cabinet Level 2 operations and aseptic techniques.
- Strong documentation skills and ability to maintain accurate, compliant laboratory records.
- Working knowledge of cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices) and adherence to SOPs in a regulated environment.
- Attention to detail and ability to ensure laboratories remain in an audit-ready state.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Microbiology.
- Entry-level candidates are welcome, provided they can demonstrate practical experience with bacteria and sterile techniques.
- Environmental monitoring (EM) background is strongly preferred to enable rapid contribution on the laboratory floor.
- Experience in Quality Control Microbiology, including stability testing and particulate matter assessment, is beneficial.
- Ability to perform growth promotion testing and interpret microbiological assay results.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced, regulated environment.
- Effective communication skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams and reporting results.
- Motivation to contribute to advanced clinical trial phases and evolving manufacturing and testing activities.
Work Environment
This role operates in both office and laboratory settings within a biopharmaceutical manufacturing environment. The position involves regular work in ISO 8 to ISO 5 cleanrooms and controlled areas, using technologies and equipment such as Biological Safety Cabinet Level 2 units, incubators, refrigerators, and other controlled temperature devices. The work includes routine environmental monitoring, utility sampling, and microbiological testing in support of clinical trial manufacturing, including preparations for phase 3 activities. The laboratory is maintained in an audit-ready condition, with a strong emphasis on cleanliness, organization, and compliance with cGMP and SOPs. Team members collaborate closely with quality and manufacturing groups in a professional, quality-focused culture that values accuracy, safety, and continuous improvement.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Los Angeles, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $29.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Los Angeles, CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 19, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Los Angeles,CA. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

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regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
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San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law
shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

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