For 75 years, Charles River employees have worked together to assist in the discovery, development and safe manufacture of new drug therapies. When you join our family, you will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people across the globe. Whether your background is in life sciences, finance, IT, sales or another area, your skills will play an important role in the work we perform. In return, we’ll help you build a career that you can feel passionate about.
Job Summary
We are currently looking to fill a vacancy for a Validation/Calibration Technician who is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and compliance of a wide range of laboratory, production, and facility equipment through routine and non-routine validation and calibration activities. This role involves executing and documenting validation protocols, conducting preventative maintenance, and troubleshooting equipment failures to ensure adherence to company standards and regulatory requirements
This role is based in our Ballina site and is offered on a full time and permanent basis.
What you’ll be doing
- Perform calibration: Conduct scheduled and unscheduled calibrations on various types of measurement and test equipment, including electrical, mechanical, and pneumatic instruments.
- Execute validation protocols: Perform Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ), and Performance Qualification (PQ) for equipment and systems in compliance with approved procedures.
- Document and report: Maintain accurate and detailed records of all calibration and validation activities, including test data, equipment history, and maintenance logs, using good documentation practices.
- Troubleshoot and repair: Investigate, diagnose, and resolve issues with equipment that is out-of-tolerance or malfunctioning. Conduct or coordinate necessary repairs and adjustments.
- Assist with investigations: Support Root Cause Analysis and implement Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) for calibration or validation failures.
- Coordinate with teams: Liaise with cross-functional teams, such as Quality Assurance, Engineering, and Production, to schedule activities and minimise equipment downtime.
- Maintain standards: Manage and maintain the inventory of calibration standards and reference equipment.
- Review and update procedures: Assist in the development and modification of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and work instructions (WIs) related to calibration and validation.
- Ensure compliance: Conduct all tasks in a manner that ensures strict compliance with regulatory standards (e.g., FDA, ISO) and company policies.
- Maintain a safe work environment: Follow all company health and safety procedures and keep the work area clean and organised.
- Contractor Management: The process of overseeing the use of independent contractors, which includes everything from their selection and onboarding to monitoring their performance and ensuring compliance. It involves managing aspects like health and safety, insurance, training, contracts, and payment to ensure that outsourced work meets a company’s standards and regulatory requirements. Effective management is crucial for maintaining a business’s reputation, mitigating risks, and ensuring projects are completed efficiently.
Key skills and competencies
- Attention to detail: Possesses a meticulous and precise approach to work, which is critical for accurate measurements and documentation.
- Problem-solving: Demonstrates strong analytical and critical-thinking skills to identify and solve equipment and process-related issues.
- Communication: Communicates effectively, both verbally and in writing, to convey technical information, write reports, and interact with various teams.
- Teamwork: Able to collaborate effectively within a team environment to achieve shared goals.
- Organisational skills: Strong ability to manage workload, prioritise tasks, and adhere to tight schedules.
About Biologics Testing Solutions
With more than 50 years of experience and proven regulatory expertise, the Charles River Biologics group can address challenging projects for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies worldwide. Offering a variety of services such as contamination and impurity testing, protein characterzation, bioassays, viral clearance studies and stability and lot release programs, we support clients throughout the biologic development cycle, from the establishment and characterization of cell banks through preclinical and clinical studies to marketed products. Whether clients need stand-alone services, a unique package of testing, or insourced support, our Biologics group can create a custom solution to suit their needs. Each year more than 20,000 biologic testing reports are sent each and over 200 licenses products are supported by our biologics testing solutions team.
About Charles River
Charles River is an early-stage contract research organization (CRO). We have built upon our foundation of laboratory animal medicine and science to develop a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services, both Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non-GLP, to support clients from target identification through preclinical development. Charles River also provides a suite of products and services to support our clients’ clinical laboratory testing needs and manufacturing activities. Utilizing this broad portfolio of products and services enables our clients to create a more flexible drug development model, which reduces their costs, enhances their productivity and effectiveness to increase speed to market.
With over 20,000 employees within 110 facilities in over 20 countries around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our client’s unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies and hospitals and academic institutions around the world.
At Charles River, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people’s lives. Our mission, our excellent science and our strong sense of purpose guide us in all that we do, and we approach each day with the knowledge that our work helps to improve the health and well-being of many across the globe. We have proudly worked on 80% of the drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the past five years.
At Charles River Laboratories, we recognize and recruit all talent. We are a company committed to fostering a sense of belonging and work daily in this direction.
Helping you find your moment
You take great care and effort when you apply for a job with us. Rest assured that we’ll be just as diligent in finding the role that’s right for you. Here’s how our hiring process works:
Job Search
Learn about CRL, our culture, and why we do the work we do while also searching for roles that match your interests and expertise.
Application
Create a profile and apply to as many roles as you have an interest.
Note: Depending on the role, you may be required to include a resume in your application.
Assessment and application review
Complete assessments, if requested, to determine whether the role is likely to be a good fit for you – and vice versa. The recruiter will review your resume and qualifications against the requirements of the role and will determine next steps.
Note: At any point in the process, you can log into your profile to review the status of your application.
Interview
Engage in our interview process by meeting with a group of interviewers who will provide information on the company, culture, and your role while also asking you questions to assess your skills, interests, and expertise. This is also a great time for you to ask questions and better understand how we foster a sense of belonging at Charles River.
Note: Charles River leverages technical and behavioral-based interview questions based on our DNA (Care, Lead, Own, and Collaborate). Please familiarize yourself with the DNA and be prepared to relate your experiences to them.
Job offer and onboarding
Receive a competitive offer either by phone or email from a Charles River recruiter or hiring manager. The offer will include your title, salary, location, and other relevant information.
Note: Upon acceptance, you will work with your recruiter to confirm a start date and will receive paperwork to electronically complete prior to your start. For US-based roles, upon your acceptance, you will be required to take a pre-employment drug screen and pass a criminal background check.
Featured jobs
Important things are happening every moment at Charles River. This means exciting new career opportunities for you to explore. Take a look and apply today!
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Moment by moment
At Charles River, you’ll be able to contribute to incredible breakthroughs while experiencing exciting opportunities for growth and development.
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UX/UI Designer
Advocate for user-centered design solutions. Create distinctive, consistent, branded digital experiences across multiple platforms, devices, and channels.
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Sr. UX/UI Designer
Define and drive UX/UI strategies and interaction designs – from scratch and for scale – that solve business and user problems.
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Associate Director
Work with Sr. UX/IX Designers and developers to assess problems and develop solutions. Execute on plan by building coding standardisations and automating processes.
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Director, Digital Data Enablement
Lead UX management and operational teams across business units and technical teams. Identify and define fit-for-purpose strategies to integrate best practices.
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Sr. Director UX/UI Design
Mentor, coach, and guide designer teams on design strategy related to research insights, execution, continuous integration, and automated deployment.
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Animal Care Technician I-IV
Maintain the well-being of our animals by providing food, water, and a clean environment.
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Animal Care Technologist I-IV
Provide specialised care to maintain and monitor our animal's health and physical environment.
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Veterinary Technician
Help monitor, document, and triage all laboratory animal health cases.
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Team Leader / Supervisor
Supervise, train, mobilise, empower, and develop a high-performing team.
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Research Associate
Coordinate and plan activities according to study plan guidelines.
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Intern Level I
Support process/procedure improvement based on site and department needs. Gain knowledge of our corporate environment to navigate cross-functional department collaboration.
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Intern Level II
Complete comprehensive departmental projects incorporating mentorship of Level I interns as a professional development component.
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Biomanufacturing Technician I-III
Oversee the production, formulation, and banking of cellular products while maintaining compliance with GMP, GDP, and aseptic guidelines.
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Biomanufacturing Lead / Specialist
Maintain in-depth knowledge of specialised equipment to address questions as a Subject Matter Expert for the required equipment.
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Clinical Veterinarian I-III
Responsible for delivering professional veterinary services and helping to manage all phases of health care for the animal colony.
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Senior Clinical Veterinarian
Utlise knowledge of laboratory animal medicine to optimise the scientific objectives of animal research protocols.
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Principal Veterinarian / Associate Director
Conduct veterinary consultations, make treatment recommendations, communicate with study directors, and follow cases through to resolution.
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Director, Laboratory Animal Medicine
Provide technical and professional oversight of all animal care and use functions involving site laboratory animals.
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Technician I-III
Follow SOP and protocols in the areas of animal handling, husbandry, and blood/urine collection.
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Technician IV-V
Handle advanced technician duties, including anesthesia, leadership and specialised sample collections.
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Project Leader (Scientific)
Serve as a scientific expert for the Lab with responsibility for staff-conducted studies.
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Team Leader (People Leader)
Oversee team activities and gain leadership skills on the path to becoming a Team Supervisor.
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Team Supervisor (People Leader)
Responsible for overall employee supervision, staff development, and team success.
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Financial Analyst
Help analyse financial data, extract/define relevant information, and interpret data.
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Financial Analyst II
Responsible for analysis, forecasting, budgeting, accounting administration, and reporting of projects.
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Senior Financial Analyst
Handle weekly and monthly forecasting and annual budget preparation. Prepare financials and key indicators for business reviews.
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Manager, Business Finance
Partner with operating businesses to raise standards in key decision areas. Present a dynamic industry, competitor, and economic context.
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Finance Director, Operation
Support all business aspects, working with site teams to direct weekly/monthly forecasting and annual budget preparation.
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Biomanufacturing Technician I
Support the production, formulation, and banking of novel cellular products (including cGMP, GDP, and aseptic processing).
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Biomanufacturing Technician II
Perform specialised activities in the production, formulation, and banking of novel cellular products (including cGMP, GDP, and aseptic processing). Train Biomanufacturing Technician 1.
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Biomanufacturing Technician III
Help advance the production, formulation, and banking of novel cellular products (including cGMP, GDP, and aseptic processing) while interacting with clients.
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Biomanufacturing Lead / Specialist
Maintain in-depth knowledge of specialised equipment to address questions as a Subject Matter Expert for the required equipment.
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Biomanufacturing Supervisor
Oversee biomanufacturing personnel, ensuring compliance with cGMP’s, CRL quality systems, and process documents in biomanufacturing.
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Biomanufacturing Manager
Lead biomanufacturing activities in the start-up and cGMP production of novel cellular products. Schedule and manage staff, ensuring a safe and compliant working environment.
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Client Manager
Ensures high-quality customer service through multi-site coordination. Deliver timely, accurate, and comprehensive responses to sponsor requests.
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Business Development Director
Deliver profitable sales growth by targeting and visiting clients to build strong relationships and customer loyalty.
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Senior Business Development Director
Plan and execute a territory-based field sales strategy. Drive growth through targeted long- and short-term account plans.
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Regional Sales Manager
Manage sales team within North America's Safety Assessment sales region to achieve sales and profit goals.
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Director
Partner with site leadership to achieve performance goals, develop staff, and deliver succession planning.
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Senior Director / General Manager
Lead a multi-functional team to ensure integrated operations. Collaborate with senior leadership to form plans, objectives, and policies.
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Executive Director
Lead a global, mutidisciplinary team. Develop short and long-term strategic plans tp maximise growth and profitability.
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Corporate Vice President
Provide leadership, direction, and advice to leadership and finance teams. Accountable for financial planning, directing, and controlling.
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About Charles River
Charles River is an early-stage Contract Research Organisation (CRO). Here, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people’s lives. With 100 sites around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our clients’ unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies, hospitals, and academic institutions around the world.
Supporting your well-being
Your dedication and passion make a life-saving difference in lives around the world. We’re committed to providing you with benefits that elevate your quality of life.
About Charles River
Charles River is an early-stage Contract Research Organisation (CRO). Here, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people’s lives. With 100 sites around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our clients’ unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies, hospitals, and academic institutions around the world.












