Senior Microbiologist

Company Description Jagdamba Laboratories (OPC) Pvt. Ltd., established in 2001, provides high-quality, cost-effective analytical services to industries, traders, research institutions, and consumer organizations. The company is recognized for accurate, reliable, and innovative testing and inspection across pharmaceuticals, beverages, water, metals, oils, soil, stones, and food products. It also delivers third-party quality and quantity inspections, shipment inspections, and consultancy for laboratory setup, offering end-to-end quality solutions. Equipped with advanced instrumentation and supported by experienced scientists, analysts, and engineers, Jagdamba Laboratories helps clients meet regulatory standards, strengthen in-house quality assurance, and drive research and innovation. Long-term partnerships are built on the company’s values of trust, quality, and excellence, ensuring clients receive dependable analytical insights and professional guidance.Role Description The Senior Microbiologist will work full time on-site at the Bagru facility, leading microbiological testing and analysis across diverse sample types such as food products, water, pharmaceuticals, and environmental samples. Responsibilities include designing and implementing microbiological test protocols, supervising routine and specialized assays, and ensuring proper use, calibration, and maintenance of laboratory equipment. The role involves overseeing sample preparation, culture handling, and identification of microorganisms, interpreting results, and preparing clear, accurate test reports for internal and client use. The Senior Microbiologist will collaborate with quality assurance and inspection teams to support regulatory compliance, troubleshoot technical issues, and contribute to method validation and continuous improvement of laboratory processes. In addition, this role may include mentoring junior staff, supporting laboratory audits, and contributing to research or client consultancy projects related to microbiological quality and safety.Experience: 3–6+ years in a testing laboratory / NABL-accredited laboratoryRoles and responsibilities: Lead and supervise the Microbiology Testing Department, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations.Perform, review, and supervise microbiological testing of food, water, pharmaceutical, environmental and other samples as per applicable standards and approved methods.Ensure testing is carried out as per NABL, ISO/IEC 17025, FSSAI, BIS and relevant regulatory requirements.Review test results, worksheets, calculations, observations and test reports before final release.Maintain accuracy, traceability and integrity of all microbiological testing records.Handle and review culture media preparation, media performance testing, sterilization, environmental monitoring and microbial cultures.Ensure proper maintenance, calibration and monitoring of microbiology laboratory equipment.Identify deviations, OOS/OOT results and participate in root-cause analysis and CAPA.Prepare and maintain SOPs, formats, quality records and other technical documentation.Lead the microbiology team, allocate work, monitor performance and ensure timely completion of testing.Train and mentor microbiologists, trainees and laboratory staff on testing procedures, SOPs, GLP and safety practices.Coordinate with Quality, Food, Pharma and other departments for smooth sample processing and reporting.Participate in and effectively handle NABL, ISO, FSSAI, customer and other regulatory/technical audits and inspections.Assist in audit preparation, addressing observations/non-conformities and implementing corrective actions.Monitor laboratory hygiene, biosafety, housekeeping and contamination-control practices.Ensure proper handling, storage and disposal of microbiological samples, cultures and laboratory waste.Stay updated with new microbiological methods, standards, regulatory requirements and industry practices.Take responsibility for team discipline, productivity, technical quality and timely delivery of reports.Additional Skills we would prefer : Strong team leadership and people-management skills.Good communication and coordination skills.Strong knowledge of NABL/ISO 17025 documentation and audit requirements.Experience in handling internal and external audits independently.Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving ability.Ability to train junior staff and take ownership of departmental activities.Good knowledge of MS Excel, laboratory documentation and LIMS.Ability to work under pressure and meet testing/reporting timelines.