The NARO Vaccine and Pharmaceuticals Centre (NVPC) is a specialized Centre of the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) responsible for research, development, production and commercialization of vaccines, pharmaceuticals and other products of strategic importance to animal health and agricultural development.

In line with the Centre’s strategic objectives and the need to ensure effective implementation of its programs and activities, the Centre is seeking competent, innovative, results-oriented and suitably qualified candidates with the relevant knowledge, skills and experience to contribute to the achievement of its mandate and strategic objectives. Applications are hereby invited from suitably qualified candidates to fill the vacant positions at NVPC. Employment terms for all positions are contractual and the duty station is NVPC, Nakyesasa, off Gayaza-Zirobwe Road.

Reports to: Senior Microbiologist

Job Purpose:

To perform microbiological quality control testing to ensure the safety, sterility, and microbiological compliance of a recombinant anti-tick vaccine manufacturing process.

This includes sterility testing, environmental monitoring, bioburden assessment, and microbiological support for potency and facility compliance in accordance with GMP requirements.

Specific responsibilities

The specific tasks of the successful candidate will be to:

• Perform routine and batch-release microbiological tests including Sterility testing (membrane filtration and/or direct inoculation), Bioburden testing, Microbial limits.
• Prepare and qualify microbiological media, reagents, and growth promotion tests.
• Conduct environmental monitoring of classified areas including Active air sampling, Passive air (settle plates), Surface monitoring (contact plates, swabs), and Personnel monitoring.
• Trend EM data and support investigation of excursions and action level breaches.
• Accurately document all microbiological testing activities in controlled records.
• Monitor the preventive maintenance, calibration and Qualification of QM instruments/Equipment
• Participate in Deviations, OOS and OOT investigations, Root cause analysis and CAPA implementation.
• Participate in validation and verification of microbiological methods.
• Ensure compliance with Pharmacopoeia and regulatory requirements for microbiological testing.

Minimum Academic Qualifications and Experience

Applicants should possess;

i. A Bachelor’s degree in Science Technology Biology, Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related life science discipline. A masters degree in any of the aforementioned fields will be an added advantage.

ii. Hands-on experience in Sterility testing laboratory, Environmental monitoring programs, Aseptic techniques, Microbial culture and identification.

iii. Familiarity with cleanroom classifications and EM trending.

iv. Knowledge of European Pharmacopoeia and ICH, WHO GMP guidelines

• Perform routine and batch-release microbiological tests including Sterility testing (membrane filtration and/or direct inoculation), Bioburden testing, Microbial limits.
• Prepare and qualify microbiological media, reagents, and growth promotion tests.
• Conduct environmental monitoring of classified areas including Active air sampling, Passive air (settle plates), Surface monitoring (contact plates, swabs), and Personnel monitoring.
• Trend EM data and support investigation of excursions and action level breaches.
• Accurately document all microbiological testing activities in controlled records.
• Monitor the preventive maintenance, calibration and Qualification of QM instruments/Equipment
• Participate in Deviations, OOS and OOT investigations, Root cause analysis and CAPA implementation.
• Participate in validation and verification of microbiological methods.
• Ensure compliance with Pharmacopoeia and regulatory requirements for microbiological testing.

• Sterility testing
• Environmental monitoring programs
• Aseptic techniques
• Microbial culture and identification
• Cleanroom classifications
• EM trending
• Microbiological quality control testing
• Bioburden testing
• Microbial limits testing
• Microbiological method validation and verification
• Deviation, OOS and OOT investigations
• Root cause analysis and CAPA implementation
• Microbiological documentation and controlled records

• A Bachelor’s degree in Science Technology Biology, Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related life science discipline.
• A masters degree in any of the aforementioned fields will be an added advantage.
• Hands-on experience in Sterility testing laboratory, Environmental monitoring programs, Aseptic techniques, Microbial culture and identification.
• Familiarity with cleanroom classifications and EM trending.
• Knowledge of European Pharmacopoeia and ICH, WHO GMP guidelines