Overview
As a Pharmaceutical Microbiologist and Deputy Head of Pharmacy Quality Assurance, you will play a key role in ensuring the safe manufacture of aseptic and radiopharmaceutical medicines that directly support patient care.
You’ll work closely with the Head of Pharmacy Quality Assurance, providing strategic and operational leadership across the Pharmacy Quality Assurance function. This includes deputising for the Head of Pharmacy QA when required and contributing to the development, delivery and continuous improvement of the Pharmaceutical Quality Management System (PQMS) across licensed manufacturing services.
In the deputy role you will lead the Pharmacy Microbiology QC service, ensuring environmental monitoring and microbiological testing programmes are delivered in line with GMP and regulatory expectations. You will be the Pharmacy Quality department’s subject matter expert for microbiological contamination control, lead contamination control strategies, interpret microbiological data and drive improvements in sterility assurance and compliance.
A key aspect of the role is being named as the Quality Controller on the Radiopharmacy MHRA MS Licence, with associated accountability for quality and oversight of relevant systems and processes.
The role reports directly to the Head of Pharmacy Quality Assurance and includes line management responsibilities within the QA/QC microbiology team. Regular on‑site presence across manufacturing facilities is required, with some flexibility in working patterns where service needs allow.
This is a high‑impact role suited to someone who is motivated by improving quality, strengthening regulatory compliance, and delivering safe, high‑quality medicines for patients.
Responsibilities
* Support the Head of Pharmacy Quality Assurance to lead and continuously improve the PQMS across licensed manufacturing services, including deputising when required.
* Lead the Pharmacy Microbiology QC service, ensuring environmental monitoring and microbiological testing programmes are delivered, trended and acted upon in line with GMP and regulatory requirements.
* Act as the subject matter expert for contamination control, leading contamination control strategies, reviewing microbiological data and driving improvements in sterility assurance and compliance.
* Be named as the Quality Controller on the Radiopharmacy MHRA MS Licence and provide oversight of quality systems, supporting inspection readiness and regulatory compliance across services.
* Ensure suitability to be named on an MHRA Manufacturer’s Licence (subject to MHRA approval).
Qualifications
* Significant experience in pharmaceutical microbiology, alongside quality assurance and/or quality control within an MHRA licensed manufacturing environment.
* In‑depth experience with environmental monitoring, contamination control and interpretation of microbiological data.
* Proven leadership and people management skills, including supervising teams, influencing practice and driving service improvement in a complex environment.
* Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to assess risk, investigate deviations and implement effective corrective and preventative actions.
Benefits and Working Environment
University Hospital Southampton offers a wide range of learning and development opportunities. Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton provides an ideal setting to live and work, with close access to the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.
Equal Opportunity
We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities and experiences and are committed to creating an anti‑racist, anti‑discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities.
#J-18808-Ljbffr