Sr Scientist - Microbiology

Job content

Be a part of a revolutionary change!At PMI, we’ve chosen to do something incredible! We’re totally transforming our business and building our future on smoke-free products with the power to deliver a smoke-free future. We’re also exploring new categories, looking beyond nicotine to develop a new portfolio of innovative products.With huge change, comes huge opportunity. So, wherever you join us, you’ll enjoy the freedom to dream up and deliver better, brighter solutions and the space to move your career forward in endlessly different directions.It’s so rare in R&D that everything aligns to create the ideal conditions for outstanding work. Right now, at PMI, that’s exactly what’s happening. R&D is the driving force for our bold new vision: to replace cigarettes with a revolutionary portfolio of alternative products.Join us and you’ll have the resources, support and technology you need to break new ground and see ideas come to life. You’ll be surrounded by some of the brightest scientists in their fields, with fast access to subject experts and commercial decision-makers.If you’re creative, courageous and ready to take risks, you can make a huge impact and propel your career in an endless number of directions. Ultimately, by delivering our smoke-free and beyond nicotine future, your work could change the lives of millions.To know more about us and why we are a great place to work, check out the following link: https://www.pmi.com/careers/areas-of-work/product.Your ’day to day’As a Sr Scientist - Microbiology, you will lead microbiology science from product development to commercialization.You will use scientific knowledge to assess and mitigate microbiological risks during the development of new substrates to ensure the delivery and quality of new materials, finished and semi-finished goods.Moreover, you will work in collaboration with project teams, the designers, the assessment scientists, the quality departments, and the testing labs to:

• promote innovation based on microbiology to develop new products
• establish the microbial hazards analysis and define the critical control points
• define the microbiological parameters for testing required during the lifecycle of new product launches

Apart from these, you will act as technical subject matter expert for microbiological characterization and testing of smoke-free products (SFP), identifying areas of improvement in the methods portfolio and developing new methods to upgrade these areas in collaboration with CROs and External Labs.More specifically, you’ll

• Lead the assessment of microbial hazards, coordinating related studies and subsequently defining microbiological testing inputs for the contamination control strategy and quality of SFP
• Drive the microbiological characterization and testing of materials and, finished and semi-finished goods during the development, assessment, and manufacturing of SFP
• Promote and assess new technologies based on microbiology science to develop new substrates
• Identify and implement new methods and new technology for microbiological testing. Establish, maintain, and update microbiology testing methods. Issue reviews of analytical data and participate to surveillance of external labs.
• Participate in the development and maintenance of internal standards for microbiology by assessing evolution of external regulatory environment in collaboration with Regulatory Standards department
• Provide expertise, guidance and recommendations to Quality and Safety Surveillance departments for the management of product related special situations and during authority inspections of regulated products design and manufacturing

Who we’re looking for

• MSc in microbiology (food, ecology or other), preferably PhD
• Min 10 years of experience in microbiology sciences applied in different fast-evolving, fast-to deliver, consumer centric and regulated consumer goods (e.g. food, beverages, cosmetics, health & wellness) environments
• Demonstrated expertise as SME in microbiological product characterization, ideally in an industrial setting, with hands-on experience in applying microbiology risk assessment, aseptic process design, contamination control and testing - from product design to commercialization
• Sound knowledge and experience in microbiological testing and new technologies (e.g. RMM), preferably in a certified environment, e.g. ISO17025
• Ability to lead projects and cross-functional teams in a Quality driven environment (QA, QC, QMS and processes), with successful development and adoption of internal standards / directives
• Effective in communicating, presenting, training and influencing at all levels of the organization
• Continuously improving product and process development, with tangible and impactful outputs
• Extensive knowledge of the Tobacco industry and SFP and their development, testing and characterization is an asset
• Proficient in English, both written and spoken

What we offerOur success depends on the people of all genders who come to work every single day with a sense of purpose and an appetite for progress. Join PMI and you too can:

• Seize the freedom to define your future and ours. We’ll empower you to take risks, experiment and explore.
• Be part of an inclusive, diverse culture, where everyone’s contribution is respected; collaborate with some of the world’s best people and feel like you belong.
• Pursue your ambitions and develop your skills with a global business – our staggering size and scale provides endless opportunities to progress.
• Take pride in delivering our promise to society: a smoke-free future.

PMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer