Food Safety Microbiologist

Food Safety Microbiologist 📍 Farmington, CT | | 💲 $25-$30/hr 🗓️

Schedule:

Tuesday-Saturday (typically finished by 3:00 PM Saturday) Make a Direct Impact on Food Safety & Product Quality Are you a microbiologist who enjoys owning studies end‑to‑end and wants to see your work directly influence food safety, shelf life, and product decisions? Join a collaborative laboratory team where your expertise plays a key role in ensuring the safety, stability, and quality of food and beverage products . As a Food Safety Microbiologist , you'll lead microbiology-based shelf life studies—from design through final reporting—working hands‑on at the bench while partnering cross‑functionally to deliver clear, meaningful insights that support customers and internal stakeholders. What You'll Do Own Shelf Life Studies from Start to Finish Design and execute microbiology-focused shelf life studies for diverse food and beverage products Set up studies by preparing samples, defining testing intervals, and establishing controls Manage samples throughout the study lifecycle, ensuring traceability and integrity Hands-On Microbiological Testing Perform microbiological testing at scheduled intervals to assess safety, quality, and stability Work with foodborne pathogens and indicator organisms in compliance with regulatory and internal standards Apply strict aseptic techniques to ensure reliable, high-quality results Analyze, Interpret & Communicate Results Track, analyze, and interpret microbiological data to determine shelf life outcomes Clearly document procedures, observations, and results in laboratory records Prepare concise internal or client-facing reports summarizing methods, findings, and conclusions Collaborate & Improve Serve as the primary owner for assigned studies, including troubleshooting and problem-solving Collaborate cross-functionally to clarify study requirements and share insights Contribute to quality control, continuous improvement, and laboratory best practices What We're Looking For Essential Skills & Experience Hands-on experience designing and executing microbiological shelf life studies Strong knowledge of foodborne pathogens and indicator organisms Working understanding of food safety regulations and their application Proficiency in standard microbiology lab techniques and aseptic practices Ability to independently manage studies from planning through final reporting Strong data analysis, documentation, and written communication skills Typically 2-4 years of experience in food microbiology or testing environments Nice to Have Familiarity with shelf life modeling or stability assessment Experience applying quality control principles in regulated labs Ability to troubleshoot and adjust study approaches while maintaining scientific rigor Strong organizational skills and comfort managing multiple studies simultaneously Education Bachelor's degree in Microbiology, Biology, Food Science , or a related scientific discipline preferred Work Environment Fully onsite microbiology laboratory focused on food and beverage testing Routine handling and preparation of food samples Controlled work with pathogens and indicator organisms Strong emphasis on safety, regulatory compliance, and quality standards Use of incubators, testing instruments, and standard lab equipment Laboratory attire and PPE required Pay, Benefits & Perks $25.00 - $30.00 per hour Contract‑to‑hire opportunity with long‑term potential Eligible benefits may include: Medical, dental, and vision coverage 401(k) with pre‑tax and Roth options Life insurance and disability coverage HSA and transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Paid Time Off (vacation/sick leave, eligibility based) Why Join This Team? Take full ownership of scientifically meaningful work See your results directly impact food safety decisions Work in a well‑structured, quality‑driven lab environment Balanced schedule with early Saturday finishes Opportunity to convert to a permanent role Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Farmington, CT. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $30.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Farmington,CT.

Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Apr 24, 2026. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through: Hiring diverse talent Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes Ensuring growth opportunities for our people Actalent is an equal opportunity employer. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we've helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day. Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.