What does a Quality Control Microbiologist do?
A quality control microbiologist is responsible for conducting quality check procedures on laboratory investigations and studies, ensuring that the outputs adhere to the strict standards and internal regulations. Quality control microbiologists analyze raw materials and components, inspect the efficiency of laboratory tools and equipment, and validate data. A quality control microbiologists evaluate documentation for high-quality deliverables. They also monitor the adequacy of inventory for laboratory operations and maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the workplace to avoid potential hazards and prevent delays.
Quality control microbiologist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real quality control microbiologist resumes:
- Job duties begin in a general microbiology/ infectious disease laboratory focuse on cultivating and managing infectious strains of microbes.
- Serve as GLP trainer for program staff resulting in reduce OOS occurrences due to technician error.
- Provide quantitative and qualitative testing of pharmaceutical and medical device products in a GMP and ISO 17025 regulate environment.
- Initiate non-conformance investigations to document and track product/manufacturing/laboratory OOS, RCI and CAPA issues.
- Perform microbiological testing of raw materials and finish products utilizing filtration and pour plate bioburden testing per USP methods.
- Teach procedures and the LIMS software to new employees.
- Prepare reagents and follow procedures according to GMPs and GLP.
- Use LIMS to log and batch samples quickly and efficiently.
- Perform QC functions, including procedure audits, data audits, and metrology tasks.
- Inspect and QC test incoming raw materials to ensure that they meet proper ISO quality expectations.
- Practice for aseptic manipulations at the medium risk level, and gowning in ISO 5 and ISO 7 environments.
- Conduct investigations with QA and manufacturing.
- Review documentation in preparation for FDA inspections.
- Identify microorganisms and fungi present in environmental sampling.
- Recommend and implement in-process and laboratory improvements for compliance and GMP.
Quality control microbiologist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Quality Control Microbiologists are proficient in Environmental Monitoring, GMP, and Lab Equipment. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Interpersonal skills, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Quality Control Microbiologists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Environmental Monitoring, 10%
Supported manufacturing filling operations and environmental monitoring.
- GMP, 8%
Recommended and implemented in-process and laboratory improvements for compliance and GMP.
- Lab Equipment, 7%
Performed routine maintenance and calibrations of lab equipment, scheduled yearly preventative maintenance of lab equipment.
- Microbiology Lab, 6%
Implemented and operated microbiology laboratory.
- FDA, 5%
Reviewed documentation in preparation for FDA inspections.
- Bioburden, 4%
Conducted Bioburden testing on new and routine products to recover native organisms and organisms not destroyed after initial sterilization.
Common skills that a quality control microbiologist uses to do their job include "environmental monitoring," "gmp," and "lab equipment." You can find details on the most important quality control microbiologist responsibilities below.
Detail oriented. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a quality control microbiologist to have is detail oriented. Their role and responsibilities require that "microbiologists must be able to conduct scientific experiments and analyses with accuracy and precision." Quality control microbiologists often use detail oriented in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "perform routine testing, adhering strictly to usp for all method details, specifications, and regulations. "
Interpersonal skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling quality control microbiologist duties is interpersonal skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "microbiologists typically work on research teams and thus must work well with others toward a common goal." According to a quality control microbiologist resume, here's how quality control microbiologists can utilize interpersonal skills in their job responsibilities: "provided inter-departmental communications between the business units, technology teams and support teams interpersonal relations/customer service"
Math skills. quality control microbiologists are also known for math skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to quality control microbiologist responsibilities, because "microbiologists regularly use complex mathematical equations and formulas in their work." A quality control microbiologist resume example shows how math skills is used in the workplace: "performed environmental monitoring and sampling, analyzing results both quantitatively and qualitatively. "
Observation skills. A big part of what quality control microbiologists do relies on "observation skills." You can see how essential it is to quality control microbiologist responsibilities because "microbiologists must constantly monitor their experiments." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical quality control microbiologist tasks: "served as qc microbiology area representative during audits by fda, tga (australia) and iso with no major observations. "
Problem-solving skills. A commonly-found skill in quality control microbiologist job descriptions, "problem-solving skills" is essential to what quality control microbiologists do. Quality control microbiologist responsibilities rely on this skill because "microbiologists use scientific experiments and analysis to find solutions to complex scientific problems." You can also see how quality control microbiologist duties rely on problem-solving skills in this resume example: "perform sterility testing, bioburden estimation, endotoxin testing of devices, components, and solution. "
Time-management skills. Another skill commonly found on quality control microbiologist job descriptions is "time-management skills." It can come up quite often in quality control microbiologist duties, since "microbiologists usually need to meet deadlines when conducting research and laboratory tests." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day quality control microbiologist responsibilities: "reviewed and followed sops and testing standards recorded incubation times in logbooks after environmental monitoring for settling plates and contact plates. "
The three companies that hire the most quality control microbiologists are:
- Eurofins8 quality control microbiologists jobs
- Glaxosmithkline3 quality control microbiologists jobs
- ADMA Biologics2 quality control microbiologists jobs
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Compare different quality control microbiologists
Quality control microbiologist vs. Laboratory analyst
A Laboratory Analyst helps conduct experiments, run laboratory tests, and analyze results. They compile and record data for the documentation needed for testing and report preparation.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between quality control microbiologists and laboratory analyst. For instance, quality control microbiologist responsibilities require skills such as "microbiology lab," "bioburden," "growth promotion," and "oos." Whereas a laboratory analyst is skilled in "lims," "laboratory procedures," "sample preparation," and "analytical methods." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Laboratory analysts really shine in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $47,806. Comparatively, quality control microbiologists tend to make the most money in the health care industry with an average salary of $55,230.The education levels that laboratory analysts earn slightly differ from quality control microbiologists. In particular, laboratory analysts are 5.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a quality control microbiologist. Additionally, they're 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Quality control microbiologist vs. Chemist
Chemists are generally responsible for observing and investigating chemical substances to create new and safe compounds essential for practical applications. They are often grouped depending on a particular area of specialization to focus and understand the complexities of the matter. A chemist usually takes time performing research and conducting experiments to test and further improve the quality and usage of a specific chemical substance. Chemists are expected to write on their observations and findings to establish scientific results.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, quality control microbiologist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "microbiology lab," "bioburden," "aseptic technique," and "growth promotion." Meanwhile, a chemist has duties that require skills in areas such as "chemistry," "product development," "method development," and "analytical methods." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Chemists earn a higher average salary than quality control microbiologists. But chemists earn the highest pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $75,495. Additionally, quality control microbiologists earn the highest salaries in the health care with average pay of $55,230 annually.In general, chemists achieve similar levels of education than quality control microbiologists. They're 1.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Quality Control Microbiologists in the next 3-5 years?
Patrick Schlievert Ph.D.
Chair, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Professor of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa
Quality control microbiologist vs. Research and development chemist
A research and development chemist primarily works at laboratories to conduct extensive tests and experiments aiming to develop new products and technologies. Although the extent of their duties may vary, it typically revolves around conducting research and studies, observing chemical reactions, maintaining records and databases, collaborating with fellow experts, and identifying the strengths and weaknesses of existing components or mixtures. They can find employment in different areas, such as manufacturing companies, private laboratories, government agencies, and even education.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, quality control microbiologists are more likely to have skills like "environmental monitoring," "lab equipment," "microbiology lab," and "bioburden." But a research and development chemist is more likely to have skills like "product development," "laboratory equipment," "analytical methods," and "synthesis."
Research and development chemists make a very good living in the health care industry with an average annual salary of $82,941. On the other hand, quality control microbiologists are paid the highest salary in the health care industry, with average annual pay of $55,230.Most research and development chemists achieve a similar degree level compared to quality control microbiologists. For example, they're 3.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 3.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Quality control microbiologist vs. Research chemist
A research chemist specializes in conducting studies and experiments to develop new products. Their duties primarily focus on conducting research and assessments, gathering and analyzing chemical samples, developing ideas, conducting tests to study chemical reactions, maintaining records of all procedures, and utilizing previous studies. Their research findings can be used to create new medicines, enhance existing products, and lead to innovations. When it comes to employment, a research chemist may work for pharmaceutical companies, private laboratories, government agencies, and learning institutions.
Types of quality control microbiologist
Updated January 8, 2025
