Microbiology Manager
| Dyddiad hysbysebu: | 11 Mawrth 2026 |
|---|---|
| Cyflog: | £52,045 i £60,000 bob blwyddyn |
| Oriau: | Llawn Amser |
| Dyddiad cau: | 25 Mawrth 2026 |
| Lleoliad: | Reading, Home Counties, RG2 0JN |
| Cwmni: | Thames Water |
| Math o swydd: | Parhaol |
| Cyfeirnod swydd: | 59416618 |
Crynodeb
We are looking for an experienced Microbiology Technical Manager to lead a large, high performing analytical microbiology team within our laboratory operations. This is a senior leadership role responsible for managing a large team of microbiologists and team leaders, ensuring the efficient delivery of critical laboratory testing that supports public health, environmental protection and regulatory compliance.
You will play a key role in overseeing the delivery of high-volume analytical work within a fast paced laboratory environment, ensuring that results are delivered to the highest quality standards while meeting demanding turnaround times. The laboratory produces over 1 million test results each year, many of which are critical to drinking water safety and environmental monitoring.
What you’ll be doing as a Microbiology Technical Manager
- Guiding and managing a large team of 36 analytical microbiologist including team leaders in day-to-day operations within our microbiology section.
- Overseeing the efficient processing and analysis of laboratory samples in a high throughput environment.
- Ensuring all analytical data complies with the laboratory quality management system and regulatory standards including ISO 17025, DWTS and MCERTS.
- Providing strong leadership in health, safety and wellbeing across the laboratory environment
- Managing laboratory resources including analytical instrumentation, materials and laboratory infrastructure within agreed budgets.
- Leading recruitment, development, performance management and engagement of the microbiology team.
- Ensuring service delivery meets internal laboratory targets and customer requirements in terms of quality, reliability, speed and flexibility.
- Driving continuous improvement, analysing trends and identifying opportunities to improve processes and operational performance.
- Supporting the development, validation and implementation of new analytical techniques and future laboratory methods.
- Managing and controlling team finances including operational and capital expenditure.
- Working within the laboratory management team, and support Laboratory Manager in delivering lab wide projects.
Base location: Reading, Spencer House
Working hours: 36 hours per week Monday to Friday, periodically participating in out-of-hours rota
What you should bring to the role
- Proven experience managing laboratory teams within a fast paced operational environment
- A degree in a relevant scientific discipline.
- Membership of the Royal Society of Biology (MRSB) or working towards and eligibility for CSci or CBiol status.
- Strong working knowledge of laboratory quality standards, including ISO 17025, DWTS and MCERTS.
- Experience delivering high-volume laboratory testing within strict turnaround times.
- Strong leadership, people management and team development experience.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workloads and manage operational pressures.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify trends and drive improvements.
What’s in it for you?
This is a key leadership position within a well-equipped, high-throughput laboratory that plays a critical role in protecting drinking water quality and supporting environmental compliance. You will lead a highly skilled team, work with advanced analytical instrumentation and contribute to laboratory innovation and continuous improvement while delivering services that directly support public health and environmental protection.
- This role will be paid from £52,045 to £60,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience.
- Annual leave 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays)
- Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
- Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.
Find out more about our benefits and perks
Who are we?
We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.
Learn more about our purpose and values
Working at Thames Water
Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.
Whether you’re interested in a role in one of our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people like you with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.
So, if you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region and our planet.
Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.
Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process. Our aim is to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, we’re here to help and support.
When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.
Disclaimer: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
You will play a key role in overseeing the delivery of high-volume analytical work within a fast paced laboratory environment, ensuring that results are delivered to the highest quality standards while meeting demanding turnaround times. The laboratory produces over 1 million test results each year, many of which are critical to drinking water safety and environmental monitoring.
What you’ll be doing as a Microbiology Technical Manager
- Guiding and managing a large team of 36 analytical microbiologist including team leaders in day-to-day operations within our microbiology section.
- Overseeing the efficient processing and analysis of laboratory samples in a high throughput environment.
- Ensuring all analytical data complies with the laboratory quality management system and regulatory standards including ISO 17025, DWTS and MCERTS.
- Providing strong leadership in health, safety and wellbeing across the laboratory environment
- Managing laboratory resources including analytical instrumentation, materials and laboratory infrastructure within agreed budgets.
- Leading recruitment, development, performance management and engagement of the microbiology team.
- Ensuring service delivery meets internal laboratory targets and customer requirements in terms of quality, reliability, speed and flexibility.
- Driving continuous improvement, analysing trends and identifying opportunities to improve processes and operational performance.
- Supporting the development, validation and implementation of new analytical techniques and future laboratory methods.
- Managing and controlling team finances including operational and capital expenditure.
- Working within the laboratory management team, and support Laboratory Manager in delivering lab wide projects.
Base location: Reading, Spencer House
Working hours: 36 hours per week Monday to Friday, periodically participating in out-of-hours rota
What you should bring to the role
- Proven experience managing laboratory teams within a fast paced operational environment
- A degree in a relevant scientific discipline.
- Membership of the Royal Society of Biology (MRSB) or working towards and eligibility for CSci or CBiol status.
- Strong working knowledge of laboratory quality standards, including ISO 17025, DWTS and MCERTS.
- Experience delivering high-volume laboratory testing within strict turnaround times.
- Strong leadership, people management and team development experience.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workloads and manage operational pressures.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify trends and drive improvements.
What’s in it for you?
This is a key leadership position within a well-equipped, high-throughput laboratory that plays a critical role in protecting drinking water quality and supporting environmental compliance. You will lead a highly skilled team, work with advanced analytical instrumentation and contribute to laboratory innovation and continuous improvement while delivering services that directly support public health and environmental protection.
- This role will be paid from £52,045 to £60,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience.
- Annual leave 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays)
- Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
- Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.
Find out more about our benefits and perks
Who are we?
We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.
Learn more about our purpose and values
Working at Thames Water
Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.
Whether you’re interested in a role in one of our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people like you with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.
So, if you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region and our planet.
Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.
Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process. Our aim is to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, we’re here to help and support.
When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.
Disclaimer: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
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