Microbiologist

Job Summary

REQUIREMENTS

• A legal right to work in the United States

• Must pass pre-employment drug screen and background check

• For those applying out of the area We love working for such an awesome company within the beautiful Pacific NW and understand your motivation is to do the same! Please recognize that relocation packages are not being offered at this time.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform routine and non-routine microbiological analyses on raw materials, in-process samples, and finished dietary supplement products, including: Total aerobic count, yeast/mold, coliforms/E. coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria(as applicable to product risk);Indicator organisms and pathogen screens using AOAC-validated methods and lab SOPs.

• Execute sample preparation, serial dilutions, plating, incubation, enumeration/identification, and confirmation.

• Operate and maintain rapid microbiology platforms, primarily Soleris(Neogen), including assay setup, calibration checks, control verification, and result interpretation.

Equipment & Method Troubleshooting

• Diagnose and resolve issues with Solerisinstruments, incubators, biosafety cabinets, autoclaves, balances, and pipettes.

• Perform routine preventive maintenance, calibrations/verifications, and coordinate vendor service when needed.

• Lead root cause analysis (RCA)for out-of-trend results or equipment deviations; implement CAPAand document impact assessments.

Quality System (ISO/IEC 17025)

• Follow and improve SOPs, test method validations/verifications, and uncertainty of measurementwhere applicable.

• Ensure complete traceability, chain of custody, and method adherencein alignment with the laboratory's ISO/IEC 17025scope.

• Author and review test reports, method validations, and nonconformanceand deviationrecords.

• Participate in internal audits, proficiency testing/interlaboratory comparisons, and support external assessments.

Data Integrity & Documentation

• Record data contemporaneously and accurately.

• Review and approve results, calculations, and certificates of analysis (CoAs).

Minor R&D / Continuous Improvement

• Plan and execute minor R&D projects(e.g., method optimizations, alternative rapid methods, media studies).

• Design small-scale experiments, write protocols, analyze data, and present findings to stakeholders.

• Pilot process improvements to reduce TAT, improve robustness, and enhance throughput while maintaining compliance.

Safety & Compliance

• Comply with Biosafety Level 3practices, chemical hygiene, and waste management.

• Support 21 CFR Part 111 (cGMP for dietary supplements)interfaces as relevant to QC testing and release decisions.

• Participate in training and help maintain a culture of safety and continuous improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor's degreein Microbiology, Biology, Food Science, or related field.

• 2-5 yearsof microbiology experience in a QC or regulated lab.

• Hands-on experience with AOACmethods and routine microbiology workflows.

• Ability to troubleshootmicrobiology instruments and laboratory equipment.

• Strong understanding of ISO/IEC 17025requirements (method validation/verification, traceability, document control).

• Excellent documentation skills; proficiency with Exceland MS Office.

Preferred

• Experience in dietary supplementor foodtesting laboratories; familiarity with 21 CFR Part 111.

• Prior involvement in probiotic enumeration, method verification, and proficiency testing.

• Lean/Six Sigma or continuous improvement experience; exposure to CAPA/RCA.

Core Competencies

• Technical Rigor:Applies validated methods accurately; recognizes anomalies and acts decisively.

• Problem Solving:Systematic troubleshooting; implements sustainable fixes.

• Quality Mindset:Champions data integrity, traceability, and compliance.

• Communication:Clear, concise reporting; effective cross-functional collaboration.

• Project Ownership:Plans, executes, and closes minor R&D/CI projects on time.

• Safety First:Consistently follows BSL-3 and chemical hygiene protocols.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• On-site laboratory work; exposure to biological materials, chemicals, and pressurized equipment (autoclaves).

• Frequent standing, pipetting, lifting up to ~50 lbs (media, consumables).

• PPE required: lab coat, gloves, safety glasses; additional PPE as procedures require.

We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.

Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more