Applicants must include a cover letter explaining why you want to work at Vanguard Laboratory and providing specific, real examples of your microbiology work experience (methods performed, matrices tested, instruments/techniques used, and your role in the work). Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
Who We Are
Vanguard Laboratory is a small, family-owned, startup analytical laboratory in Olympia, WA. We analyze peptides, food, agricultural, drinking water, and environmental samples. We are accredited by the WA Department of Ecology and A2LA to ISO/IEC 17025.
The Opportunity
We’re looking for a Microbiologist who is motivated to grow with a tight-knit team and help shape the direction of a fast-moving lab. You’ll have a direct impact on expanding our capabilities, improving quality systems, and bringing new methods online under ISO 17025.
What You’ll Do
You’ll perform routine and advanced microbiological testing, contribute to method implementation/validation, and support quality and continuous improvement across the lab.
Core Responsibilities
- Sample receipt, preparation, and analysis for food, water, and environmental matrices using aseptic technique.
- Perform microbiological testing such as (depending on scope and projects):
- FDA BAM methods (culture-based workflows for food microbiology)
- PCR / qPCR workflows (sample prep, amplification, interpretation, controls)
- Indicator organisms and general microbiology (e.g., APC, coliform/E. coli, yeast & mold, MPN, membrane filtration)
- Water/environmental testing including BOD and related prep/incubation workflows
- Challenge studies and shelf-life studies (study setup, sampling plans, execution, data trending, reporting )
- Endotoxins testing
- Review, verify, and document results; ensure data integrity and defensibility.
- Maintain compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 quality requirements:
- QC trending, control review, documentation completeness
- SOP creation/revision, deviation documentation, CAPA participation
- Support audits, PT/ILC participation, and corrective actions
- Method verification/validation and implementation activities as we expand scope:
- Establish acceptance criteria, evaluate accuracy/precision, LoD/LoQ where applicable
- Create/maintain controlled documents, worksheets, and training records
- Contribute to lab operations: media/reagent prep, equipment checks, incubator logs, inventory, cleanliness, and biosafety practices.
What You Bring
- Degree in microbiology, biology, food science, Biochemistry, environmental science, or related field (or equivalent lab experience).
- Hands-on experience in a microbiology lab with strong fundamentals: aseptic technique, contamination control, incubation practices, and documentation discipline.
- Comfort working in a regulated environment with strong attention to detail and traceability.
- Experience deigning primers and implementing PCR methods
- Experience with in food and environmental microbiological method
- Proven experience with DNA isolation, RNA extraction, PCR, ELISA, and microscopy techniques.
- Strong knowledge of microbiology principles
- Familiarity with GLP, CGMP standards, & FDA regulations
- Ability to perform detailed scientific research while maintaining meticulous documentation.
- Excellent problem-solving skills combined with a proactive approach to laboratory challenges.
What We Offer
- A culture built on continual improvement, innovation, and practical problem-solving.
- Professional development (conferences, seminars, training courses)
- Flexible hours (within operational needs)
- Employer-matched 401(k).
- Employee-paid Health/Vision/Dental/Life Insurance.
- Paid vacation.
- Bonus program: for each new method successfully added to our scope, you’ll receive a bonus of $500–$2,000 per method.
- Merit-based raises: the better the lab does, the better everyone does.
Pay: $24.00 - $32.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Did you include a cover letter? Resumes without one will be discarded without review.
Experience:
- industry microbiology: 2 years (Preferred)
- pcr primer design: 1 year (Preferred)
Location:
- Olympia, WA 98502 (Preferred)
Ability to Relocate:
- Olympia, WA 98502: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
