Research Associate - Microbiology

POSITION: Research Associate - Microbiology

LOCATION: Nerul, Navi Mumbai

DESIRED CANDIDATE PROFILE:

M.Sc Microbiology / Biotechnology from a reputed institute and desiring to make a career in Agri-Biotech field.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Experience with microbial techniques and processes, such as, isolation of microbes, biochemical testing, antibiotic sensitivity testing, determination of MIC values, total viable count, bacterial and fungal fermentation - both submerged and solid state, microbial staining techniques, identifying colony characteristics, sub-culturing, quality control tests for microbial products. Experience in identification of microbes and knowledge of common plant microbial pathogens is highly desirable.

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: 3 - 5 years

JOB DESCRIPTION:

1. The primary responsibility of the candidate would be to carry out scale-up of various microbial products developed in the lab on the pilot fermenter. Thus, knowledge of using and handling a fermenter is a must. The candidate must be open to working in shifts as the fermenter has to run round the clock

2. Assist the department head in the technology transfer process from lab to plant

In addition to this, the candidate will be required to carry out the following activities:

3. Isolation of novel bacterial / fungal strains from samples / specimens of interest

4. Media preparation, sterilization, inoculum preparation and microbial biomass production.

5. Carry out submerged and solid state fermentation to grow the microbes and to submit the same to the formulation team for preparation of formulation

6. Routine disinfection of lab area and environmental monitoring to prevent contamination

7. Microbial enumeration / load test of formulations

8. Assist in carrying out microbial toxicity tests such as Ames test

9. Perform MIC / Preservative challenge test / Microbial bioassay for various formulations

10. Perform seed germination test in soil for testing various formulations

11. Diligent documentation of experiments performed

12. Discussion of observations with the reporting manager to decide the further line of action

ADDITIONAL SKILLS:

Good written and oral communication in English is a must. Should be able to take instructions from the Department Head and work independently, open to imbibe new methodologies, open to learning by scientific literature survey and implementing the same in the experimental work.

Interested candidates share CV on careers@sml-ltd.com