About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Scientific & QA.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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Role Overview

Confidential Client (via Careertakes) is seeking a Microbiologist III to support biopharmaceutical manufacturing at an onsite Los Angeles, CA facility. This contract-to-hire, full-time role focuses on environmental monitoring (EM), utility sampling, microbiological testing across ISO 8 → ISO 5 cleanrooms, and maintaining an audit-ready laboratory compliant with cGMP.

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What You’ll Do

This is a hands-on laboratory role supporting clinical trial manufacturing and product quality. Core responsibilities include:

• Perform environmental monitoring (viable air, non-viable particle, viable surface testing) and personnel monitoring across ISO 8 to ISO 5 cleanrooms.
• Collect and test utilities (water, steam, compressed gases) to support manufacturing and QC.
• Enumerate environmental monitoring and water bioburden plates; perform routine bioburden analyses.
• Conduct water testing (pH, conductivity, TOC) and endotoxin testing as required.
• Execute growth promotion testing to confirm media suitability.
• Run quantitative and qualitative assays for viable microorganisms (bacteria, yeast, molds) on materials and products pre-sterilization.
• Maintain and clean incubators, refrigerators, Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC) Level 2, and other controlled temperature units.
• Complete daily chart readings and accurate laboratory recordkeeping.
• Apply aseptic techniques consistently during sampling and testing to prevent contamination.
• Follow SOPs and cGMP to ensure regulatory compliance and data integrity.
• Collaborate with Quality Control Microbiology and manufacturing teams to support production and clinical trial activities.
• Perform other lab support tasks as assigned to keep the lab audit-ready.

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Required Skills & Experience

• Demonstrated hands-on experience working with bacteria and sterile techniques in a lab setting.
• Practical experience with environmental monitoring (air, particle, surface testing) in controlled environments.
• Knowledge of testing across ISO 8 to ISO 5 cleanrooms and contamination control practices.
• Proficiency in microbiological techniques including plating, bioburden testing, and plate enumeration.
• Experience with water sample collection and testing (pH, conductivity, TOC) and endotoxin testing.
• Competence with Biological Safety Cabinet Level 2 operation and aseptic technique.
• Strong documentation skills and ability to maintain compliant laboratory records.
• Understanding of cGMP and ability to follow SOPs in a regulated environment.
• Attention to detail and ability to maintain an audit-ready laboratory.

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Preferred / Additional Qualifications

• BS in Microbiology or related field.
• Environmental monitoring (EM) background is strongly preferred.
• Previous Quality Control Microbiology experience (stability testing, particulate assessment) is a plus.
• Experience performing growth promotion testing and interpreting microbiological assay results.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced, regulated environment.
• Clear communicator and team player, motivated to support advanced clinical manufacturing activities.
• Entry-level candidates may be considered if they can demonstrate practical microbiology experience and sterile technique competency.

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Compensation & Benefits

• Pay range: $25.00 - $29.00 per hour (Contract to Hire). Final rate within this range will depend on qualifications, experience, and other job-related factors.
• If eligible, benefits for this temporary role may include: medical, dental & vision; voluntary life & AD&D; short- and long-term disability; 401(k) options; HSA; transportation benefits; employee assistance program; and paid time off subject to eligibility and plan terms.

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Workplace & Schedule

• Workplace Type: Fully onsite in Los Angeles, CA.
• Employment Type: Contract to Hire / Full-time.
• This position requires regular work in ISO 8 → ISO 5 cleanrooms and controlled laboratory areas supporting clinical trial manufacturing.

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Location

• Job location: Los Angeles, California, US (onsite).

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.