Microbiology Specialist

Company Overview:

Strive Pharmacy is a personalized compounding pharmacy built on a simple conviction: medicine should fit the patient, not the other way around. We started Strive because we believed the pharmaceutical industry was overdue for a more human approach—one that prioritizes individualized care, clinical nuance, and genuine partnership with patients and providers.

Compounding gives us the tools to do that. Every formulation we prepare is built to the specific needs of a specific person, and every interaction we have is guided by that same commitment to personalized care.

We're growing, and we're looking for people who share that conviction. If you're ready to be part of a pharmacy that takes the work seriously and the people even more seriously, we'd like to meet you.

Mission:

Strive exists to disrupt an industry long overdue for a more personal approach to care. We put the human element at the center of everything: every formulation, every patient interaction, every provider partnership. We're not just a compounding pharmacy. We're a team on a mission to change what personalized healthcare looks and feels like.

Location: Remote (Must reside in the United States)

Position Type: Full-time

Compensation Range: $115,000 – $135,000 

Position Overview:

We are seeking a Microbiology Specialist to serve as a senior technical expert in microbiology, sterility assurance, environmental monitoring, investigations, validations, audits, and microbiology training. This role will provide technical leadership to support product quality, patient safety, regulatory compliance, and inspection readiness within Strive Pharmacy's regulated compounding environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide technical oversight of the environmental monitoring program.
• Lead and support investigations involving environmental monitoring excursions, OOS results, contamination events, and other microbiological issues.
• Support CAPA development and implementation.
• Provide microbiology expertise for process, facility, and sterility assurance validations.
• Support media fills and other sterility assurance activities.
• Identify and evaluate microbiological trends and contamination risks.
• Support regulatory audits and inspections.
• Develop and maintain microbiology-related procedures, documentation, and quality systems.
• Develop and deliver microbiology and cGMP training programs.
• Conduct employee competency assessments.
• Partner with Quality, Pharmacy, Operations, Facilities, and other teams to address microbiological risks and quality issues.
• Provide technical guidance related to USP <797>, USP <800>, cGMP, and sterility assurance.
• Support inspection readiness and ensure microbiology documentation is complete and audit-ready.
• Build internal microbiology expertise and reduce reliance on external consultants.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Microbiology, Biology, Life Sciences, or a related field.
• 5+ years of relevant microbiology experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, sterile compounding, GMP/cGMP, life sciences, or a similarly regulated environment.
• Ability to travel up to 25% to internal facilities and industry conferences.
• Proven track record of technical writing
• Strong experience with environmental monitoring and sterility assurance.
• Experience with microbiological investigations, OOS results, excursions, and CAPAs.
• Strong analytical, investigative, documentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to independently evaluate microbiological quality risks and provide technical guidance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Microbiology, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field.
• Experience supporting FDA or other regulatory inspections and audits.
• Knowledge of USP <797>, USP <800>, and pharmaceutical cGMP requirements.
• Experience developing and delivering technical training and competency assessments.
• Experience in sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing or compounding pharmacy.
• Experience establishing or improving environmental monitoring programs.

Work Environment:

This is a remote position that requires standard computer work from a home office, along with travel (up to 25%) to pharmacy cleanroom environments, laboratories, and conferences.

Join Us in Making an Impact:

At Strive, the work is real and the impact is direct. Every role here contributes to a patient experience that's more personal, more attentive, and more human than what most people have come to expect from a pharmacy. Apply today and help us raise the bar.

Benefits/ Perks:

Strive Pharmacy offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Employer-paid healthcare coverage, effective the 1st day of the following month of your hire date
• Free Strive compounded medications for employees based on a valid patient-specific prescription from a licensed healthcare provider
• Paid time off
• Sick time
• FSA and HSA options
• Parental leave
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Life insurance
• Vision and dental insurance
• Veterinary insurance

Culture:

Culture isn't an afterthought at Strive. It's something we actively build. We foster a collaborative, engaging workplace where employees have opportunities to connect, celebrate, and build meaningful relationships with their colleagues. We're committed to supporting the personal and professional growth of every employee, both inside and outside the workplace.

EEO:

Strive Pharmacy is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristics as outlined by federal, state or local laws.

Disclaimer*** Please do not call the pharmacy location with questions about your application or interview. A talent acquisition partner will reach out to you.