Operations Technician- fixed term

Milton Keynes - UK

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 30+ days ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Job Description

Production Technician Bacterial Vaccines

Location: Milton Keynes

Contract: Fixed-term up to 2 years Start: ASAP or by agreement

Launch your career in pharma with real hands-on experience. Our Integrated Production Team manufactures bacterial vaccines at scale for cattle sheep and chickens. This up-to-two-year role is perfect for:

Recent graduates ready to build a career in the pharmaceutical industry
Early-career professionals seeking structured development and GMP exposure
Operations/production technicians who want to step into the world of vaccines and bioprocessing

About the Role Youll help produce antigens from large-scale anaerobic fermentations and support downstream concentration purification and blending activities. Working to cGMP standards youll rotate through core tasks build practical skills and contribute to safe compliant and efficient operations. Youll report to the Area Lead Technician and collaborate across IPT1.

What Youll Do

Manufacture intermediates (media and antigen) to the production schedule under local Regulatory and GMP requirements
Prepare stage operate and maintain a range of mechanical and laboratory equipment (including fermentation vessels)
Follow SOPs with strong Good Documentation Practices (GDP)
Participate in the Site Tier Process and daily operations huddles
Use MPS tools and methodology to support investigations and implement CAPAs
Contribute to continuous improvement and safe-by-choice culture
Take part in company-sponsored training and development activities
Demonstrate inclusive behaviors and teamwork across shifts/functions

What Youll Learn

End-to-end exposure to large-scale anaerobic fermentation and bacterial antigen processing
Practical GMP GDP aseptic techniques and inventory control concepts
Root-cause problem solving CAPA and lean/MPS tools in a regulated environment
Cross-functional collaboration in a high-impact biomanufacturing setting

About You

Education: Bachelors (or equivalent) in Science/Biology/Biotechnology preferred; A-Levels (or equivalent) with strong interest in a scientific field also considered
Beneficial (not essential): experience in a production laboratory or manufacturing environment
Knowledge/skills:
- Working knowledge of cGMP and inventory control concepts
- Understanding of fermentation principles and operation of fermentation vessels
- Familiarity with aseptic techniques and procedures
- Experience with large-scale bacterial antigen processing is a plus
Attributes: detail-oriented safety-minded eager to learn collaborative and disciplined in documentation

Why This Role

Ideal entry point into pharmaceutical manufacturing with structured onboarding
Mentorship from experienced technicians and leads
Real responsibility in a high-quality compliant environment
Exposure to bioprocessing and vaccine operations that accelerates career growth
Competitive pay and benefits

Contract Details

Fixed-term contract up to two years
Full-time role based on-site in Milton Keynes
Shift or weekend work may be required to meet the production schedule confirm if applicable

Closing date for applications: 30/11/2025

Required Skills:

Accountability Biological Sciences Biotechnology Computer Literacy Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Manufacturing Operations Pharmaceutical Production

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co. Inc. Rahway NJ USA also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC Rahway NJ USA does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place introductions are position specific. Please no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status:

Temporary (Fixed Term)

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

12/1/2025

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Required Experience:

Job DescriptionProduction Technician Bacterial VaccinesLocation: Milton KeynesContract: Fixed-term up to 2 years Start: ASAP or by agreementLaunch your career in pharma with real hands-on experience. Our Integrated Production Team manufactures bacterial vaccines at scale for cattle sheep and chicke...