Lab Technician 1

Job Description

Job Description

Launch Your Microbiology Career with a Global Pharmaceutical Leader Lab Technician I / Scientist I – Quality Control Microbiology

Are you passionate about microbiology, environmental monitoring, and ensuring the safety of life-saving pharmaceutical products? This is an exciting opportunity to join a collaborative Quality Control Microbiology team where you'll gain hands-on experience with advanced laboratory technologies, aseptic manufacturing environments, and industry-leading quality systems.

Whether you're an early-career microbiologist or a laboratory professional looking to expand your expertise, this role offers substantial growth potential within a large, established pharmaceutical organization.

Why You'll Love This Opportunity

Build specialized microbiology expertise

• Gain experience in Environmental Monitoring, Microbial Identification, Finished Product Testing, Bacterial Filter Retention (BFR), and Method Validations.
• Work with cutting-edge technologies, including MALDI microbial identification systems, Accugenix, LIMS, and SKAN isolators.

Make a direct impact on product quality and patient safety

• Play a critical role in ensuring sterile manufacturing environments and supporting the release of pharmaceutical products that improve lives.
• Investigate environmental trends, identify potential risks, and contribute to quality and compliance initiatives.

Develop your career in a highly regulated industry

• Expand your knowledge of GMPs, aseptic processing, environmental monitoring, sterility assurance, and microbiological method validation.
• Receive opportunities to train others, participate in investigations, and support cross-functional projects.

Work alongside industry experts

• Collaborate with Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, Validation, and Quality Control teams.
• Learn from experienced microbiologists, scientists, and pharmaceutical professionals.

What You'll Be Doing

• Perform environmental monitoring of cleanrooms, personnel, water systems, compressed gases, and manufacturing areas in accordance with established procedures.
• Conduct microbiological testing of raw materials, in-process materials, and finished products while ensuring compliance with quality and regulatory standards.
• Execute microbial identification activities, including sub-culturing, Gram staining, culture maintenance, and operation of MALDI-ID systems.
• Support sterility assurance activities through bioburden, environmental monitoring, and bacterial filter retention (BFR) studies.
• Investigate environmental excursions, out-of-limit results, and quality events while partnering with QA and manufacturing teams.
• Perform microbiological method validations and support process validations, technology transfers, and equipment qualification activities.
• Maintain laboratory documentation, data integrity, and compliance through LIMS and quality management systems.
• Assist in training personnel on aseptic practices, gowning requirements, and microbiological procedures.

What We're Looking For

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or a related life science field.
• 1–3 years of laboratory experience, preferably in microbiology, pharmaceutical quality control, biotechnology, food safety, or a regulated environment.
• Strong understanding of microbiological techniques and laboratory practices.
• Excellent organizational, documentation, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred

• Environmental Monitoring experience.
• Pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or GMP laboratory experience.
• Experience with MALDI, Accugenix, LIMS, sterility testing, or bioburden testing.
• Exposure to method validation, process validation, or aseptic manufacturing environments.

Career Growth Potential

This position is ideal for professionals seeking a long-term career path in:

• Microbiology
• Environmental Monitoring
• Quality Control
• Quality Assurance
• Sterility Assurance
• Validation
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Successful candidates will gain exposure to advanced microbiological testing programs, regulatory compliance requirements, and highly specialized laboratory operations that can serve as a foundation for future Scientist, Senior Microbiologist, QA, Validation, or Laboratory Leadership roles.

Work Environment

• 100% onsite within a pharmaceutical manufacturing and laboratory setting.
• Work in controlled cleanroom environments, including ISO Class 5 areas.
• A Shift Schedule: 5:45 AM – 6:15 PM
• Collaborative, team-oriented culture focused on quality, compliance, and continuous learning.

Join a Team That Makes a Difference

If you're looking for more than just a laboratory job and want the opportunity to grow your microbiology expertise while contributing to the production of safe, high-quality pharmaceutical products, we'd love to hear from you. This is an excellent opportunity to build a rewarding career in Quality Control Microbiology with a respected industry leader.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of River Grove, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $19.00 - $23.00/hr.

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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in River Grove,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 21, 2026.

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.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without 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 adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

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.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.