Food Microbiologist

Location: Richmond, Virginia (Onsite)

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Microbiologist to support a laboratory focused on food safety, environmental testing, and outbreak response. This is a hands-on laboratory position ideal for microbiologists comfortable working in a regulated, high-impact lab environment. The role involves supporting food surveillance, environmental sample analysis, and outbreak/recall testing to help stabilize the team and protect public health.

Responsibilities

• Perform microbiological testing on food and environmental samples.
• Process and analyze samples in accordance with chain-of-custody and regulatory requirements.
• Identify microorganisms related to food safety, surveillance, and outbreak investigations.
• Support routine testing as well as high-priority public health response work.
• Document results accurately and follow all laboratory safety and compliance standards.
• Collaborate with a team of scientists in a fast-paced public health lab setting.
• Perform emergency response and routine surveillance testing for the isolation, characterization, and subtyping of foodborne pathogens.
• Validate and verify new methods, and monitor QA/QC procedures in support of ISO 17025 standards.

Requirements

Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Medical Technology, Life Sciences, or a related discipline is required.

Experience: Candidates must have 2–5 years of hands-on laboratory experience in food microbiology and/or environmental microbiology. Experience with food samples, environmental samples, or evidentiary samples is necessary. Clinical lab experience is acceptable only if paired with environmental or food exposure.

Skills

• Experience with MALDI, PCR-based testing, and standard microbiology plating and organism identification.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices and the ability to operate and troubleshoot laboratory instrumentation.
• Strong adherence to lab safety, dress code, and other professional standards.
• Reliability, punctuality, and effective communication.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a biosafety level three (BSL-3) environment.
• Experience with toxin detection.
• Experience working in an ISO 17025 accredited quality environment.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance plans.
• Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP).
• 401K program with company match after 12 months of tenure.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) on the HDHP plan.
• SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions.
• Corporate discount savings program and other discounts.
• On-demand training program and access to certification prep, technical and leadership courses/books/seminars after 6+ months of tenure.
• Certification discounts and perks for associations including CompTIA and IIBA.
• Dedicated customer service team and certified Career Coach.