Fungal Microbiologist

Position Overview:
This role involves performing microbiological, culturing, and quality control activities for commercial mushroom and fungal spawn production. The position is responsible for conducting routine microbiological analyses to ensure contamination-free production. Key responsibilities include preparation and maintenance of mother spawn, media and buffer formulation, aseptic culture handling, spawn upscaling from laboratory to production level, in-process microbiology testing, and routine analysis of raw materials and cultures to ensure consistent quality and successful batch outcomes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Prepare mother spawn for production of commercial spawn for production of mushrooms and fungal cultivation.
2. Prepare media preparation for Agaricus bisporus (PDYA, MEYA, NA, MEA & etc.) and perform sterilization procedures for culture growth and quality control.
3. Prepare different types of mushroom spawn using various strains like paddy straw, milky, cordyceps, etc.
4. Conduct routine microbiological analysis of raw materials, mycelium cultures, check moisture & pH of grains and to ensure contamination-free production.
5. Perform culturing using basic methods (Titration, Culture maintenance,) and aseptic handling.
6. Review each sample received in the laboratory for analysis and also to ensure that samples analysed, within stipulated TAT.
7. Independently perform and report microbiological analyses of various samples, including identification of microorganisms and interpretation of results.
8. Ability to do In-process microbiology works.
9. Up keeping the general maintenance of laboratory equipment under a quality assurance.
10. Preparation of volumetric solutions/media/buffers.
11. Ensure accurate documentation and record-keeping.
12. Collaborate with other departments to provide technical support.
13. Responsible for success of the batches.
14. Data compilation and report preparation.

Qualifications/Competencies/Position Requirements:

1. Msc Microbiology with minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience in a microbiology laboratory or similar role, preferably within the functional foods, nutraceutical, or fungal cultivation industry.
2. Strong technical knowledge and practical experience in fungal culture collection, taxonomy, identification, and maintenance, including Cordyceps spp.
3. Experience in Cordyceps cultivation, including media preparation, aseptic handling, spawn development, and contamination control.
4. Proficiency in performing microbiological testing, in-process microbiology, and quality control to ensure contamination-free production.
5. Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with production, quality, and R&D teams.
6. Highly detail-oriented with strong organizational, documentation, and time-management skills.
7. Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously while meeting defined timelines and batch success criteria.