
R&D Microbiologist
Florham Park, NJContract$24–32/hrSeen todaySeen in employer's feed today
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At a glance
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Job overview
This hands-on R&D laboratory role focuses on antimicrobial efficacy testing and related microbiological research in a BSL-2 environment. The microbiologist executes studies using approved methods and supports method development, validation, troubleshooting, and technical investigations. The role also involves reviewing and communicating data, maintaining laboratory records, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Work is a 12-month contract with potential to become permanent.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Benefits
Full job description
R&D Microbiologist
Kelly® Science & Clinical is seeking an experience R&D Microbiologist for contract position with a global specialty chemical and biotechnology manufacturer in Morristown, NJ.
Location: Morristown, NJ
Schedule: 1st Shift; occasional weekend rotation required (30min on a Saturday)
Employment Type: 12mo contract (potential to go perm)
Compensation: $24-32/hr
Overview
This is a hands-on laboratory role involving the handling and testing of microorganisms in a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) environment, with a primary focus on antimicrobial efficacy testing and related research and development activities.
Working under the supervision of the Microbiology Manager and Senior Scientists, the incumbent will learn and execute a variety of microbiological test methods and perform studies according to applicable U.S. and international test standards. The role will also support method development and customer technical support activities. Responsibilities include maintaining accurate laboratory notebooks and study records, ensuring data integrity, analyzing and communicating experimental results through technical reports and presentations, and performing laboratory activities in accordance with applicable safety, quality, and compliance requirements.
Responsibilities
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Execute microbiological efficacy and research studies in accordance with approved protocols, SOPs, and applicable AOAC, ASTM, EPA, OECD, and internal methods.
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Support new-method development, method suitability assessments, validation activities, technical investigations, and troubleshooting under the guidance of senior scientists or the manager.
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Perform microbiological calculations and data review; summarize results; identify atypical findings, deviations, or data-quality concerns; and communicate conclusions through technical discussions and written reports.
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Plan and prioritize assigned work, maintain accurate laboratory records, and coordinate effectively with Microbiology, and other cross-functional teams.
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Collaborate with R&D Applications, Technical Service and Development, Quality, EHS, Marketing, and other cross-functional partners to meet project objectives and timelines.
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Comply with BSL-2 practices, chemical hygiene, waste-management, quality, and site EHS requirements; complete assigned safety responsibilities and promptly report hazards, incidents, near misses, deviations, and equipment concerns.
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Assist with laboratory housekeeping and support shared laboratory responsibilities to maintain a safe, organized, and efficient work environment. Participate in occasional weekend and holiday testing activities on a rotational basis as required. Contribute to a culture of scientific excellence, continuous improvement, teamwork, and mutual respect.
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Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
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Qualifications
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Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in Microbiology, Biology, Life Sciences, or a related biological or biomedical discipline
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0-4yrs experience in Laboratory experience in microbiology, including aseptic technique and the cultivation, preparation, and enumeration of microorganisms.
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Academic, internship, co-op, or industry experience is acceptable; experience in a BSL-2 laboratory is preferred.
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Familiarity with antimicrobial efficacy testing, experimental design, microbiological calculations, data analysis, and technical documentation is an advantage.
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Demonstrated attention to detail, problem-solving ability, organization, and clear written and verbal communication are required.
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The candidate must be able to participate in occasional rotational weekend coverage.
Skills
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Proficiency in aseptic technique, culture handling, microbial enumeration, and contamination-control practices.
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Ability to prepare media, reagents, dilutions, and inocula accurately and to perform routine microbiological calculations.
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Ability to follow protocols, SOPs, and laboratory procedures with a high degree of accuracy and consistency.
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Working knowledge of standard laboratory equipment and familiarity with antimicrobial efficacy methods is preferred.
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Ability to work independently on assigned tasks and collaboratively in a fast-paced research laboratory while managing multiple priorities and supporting occasional rotational weekend coverage.
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Effective written and verbal communication skills and proficiency with standard Microsoft Office applications
P#1
Send resumes to [email protected]
As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Please note: The following benefits reflect Kelly's general offerings. Eligibility may vary by assignment, location, and job type. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here (https://www.mykelly.com/help-support-working-with-kelly-us/#Benefits) for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.
Why Kelly ® Science & Clinical?
Kelly Science & Clinical is your connection to premier scientific and clinical companies looking to hire industry experts just like you. Our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world’s most critical challenges. Every day, we match science professionals with dream jobs that fit their skills, interests, and career goals—it’s the way we think job searching should be. Nearly 100 percent of our science recruiters have a professional background and education in science, so we know a thing or two about the science market and how to get your expertise noticed.
About Kelly
Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life—just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.
Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
Kelly may use AI-powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice (https://www.kellyservices.com/hubfs/myKelly/Resources/Employment\_Policies/Recruitment-Artificial-Intelligence-Notice.pdf?hsLang=en) .
Kelly Services is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We welcome, value, and embrace diversity at all levels and are committed to building a team that is inclusive of a variety of backgrounds, communities, perspectives, and abilities. At Kelly, we believe that the more inclusive we are, the better services we can provide. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to Kelly’s Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment.
How this job compares
Set against the 1,459 open Research and Development jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 12, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$24–32/hr
- US median$25–33/hr181 hourly ranges
This range's midpoint, $28/hr, is close to the US median midpoint ($29/hr) — in the middle half of Research and Development hourly ranges across the US.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 68 open Research and Development jobs in New Jersey and 1,459 across the US. 3% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most in New Jersey
- Church & Dwight Co., Inc.4 open
- Merck4 open
- Mondelez International4 open
- Experience
- This posting asks for no prior experience — less than three in four Research and Development postings that state a minimum ask for (median 5 years, across 978 postings).
- Education
- 792 of the 1,459 open Research and Development jobs (54%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 12, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.
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