Microbiology Internship

Job Summary:

As a Mycology Intern at Mushroom Material, you’ll take ownership of defined R&D projects that help us better understand, maintain, and improve the fungal biology behind our mycelium-based materials.

You’ll take ownership of specific technical projects from start to finish, including experimental design, testing, analysis, troubleshooting, and developing practical recommendations for our R&D and production processes.

Projects may focus on areas such as strain viability and long-term preservation, mycelium health and performance, development of quality test points (QTPs), and understanding the biological characteristics that drive strain performance within our manufacturing process.

You’ll work closely with our Mycology and Production teams, gaining hands-on experience in applied fungal biotechnology while contributing to the development and scale-up of sustainable mycelium-based materials.

Key Responsibilities:

• Take ownership of projects, from experimental planning and execution through to analysis, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Investigate the long-term viability and health of stored fungal strains.
• Investigate the biological characteristics and behaviours that influence strain health, growth, consistency, and manufacturing performance.
• Develop and refine practical testing methods to identify biological variation, process drift, or changes in strain performance.
• Analyse experimental data, identify trends and anomalies, and use findings to develop hypotheses and propose further experiments.
• Maintain clear and accurate experimental records, protocols, datasets, and project documentation to ensure work is repeatable and transferable.
• Present project findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the wider R&D and Production teams.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience/Knowledge:

• Currently pursuing a Master’s degree, or in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree, in Mycology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Biology, Plant Pathology, or a related field.
• Preferably experience working with fungi, mycelium, microbial cultures, or biological research in a laboratory environment.
• Experience with aseptic technique, culture handling, and general laboratory practices.
• Demonstrated ability to design, conduct, document, and interpret laboratory experiments.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, with an interest in understanding why biological systems behave the way they do.
• Ability to interpret unexpected results, develop hypotheses, and design appropriate follow-up experiments.
• Comfortable working independently on a defined technical project while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate scientific findings and recommendations.
• An interest in applied biotechnology, sustainable materials, and translating biological research into scalable manufacturing processes.

Benefits:

• Take ownership of a real-world R&D project, with the freedom to shape your experimental approach, follow the data, and influence where the project goes.
• Be challenged. These are open-ended biological problems without predetermined answers - you’ll be expected to think critically, troubleshoot, adapt, and figure things out.
• Gain hands-on experience in applied mycology and the manufacturing of sustainable materials.
• Mentorship from experienced scientists while still having the autonomy to make decisions and develop your own approach.
• A supportive and collaborative work culture focused on experimentation, innovation, and learning.
• Be part of a growing startup where your work can directly influence our technology and manufacturing processes.

About Us:

Mushroom Material is an Auckland/ Singapore startup and a leading innovator in sustainable materials. We specialise in products made from mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms, as an alternative to Expanded Polystyrene Styrofoam. We are committed to revolutionising the packaging industry with eco-friendly, biodegradable alternatives that reduce the environmental impact of traditional materials. Join our team and be a part of the mushroom-based packaging revolution!

How to Apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV along with a cover letter detailing their specific mycology/ microbiology experience.

Mushroom Material is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and demographics.