R&D Microbiologist

We are seeking a diligent and meticulous R&D Lab Analyst to manage high-throughput wet-lab operations. In this role, you will execute routine sample preparation, classical chemical titrations, and daily laboratory maintenance. Your work will directly support our team of microbiologists and process engineers as they optimize cutting-edge fermentation and chemical process technologies.

Core Roles & Responsibilities

• High-Volume Sample Processing: Collect, centrifuge, filter, and dilute routine time-course samples from fermentation bioreactors and chemical reactors.
• Analytical Screening: Run daily quantitative wet chemistry tests, including acid-base/redox titrations, Karl Fischer moisture testing, and gravimetric analysis (TS/VS/TDS/VSS/ etc.), Nitrogen estimation by Kjeldahl method.
• Instrument Sample Queue Prep: Prepare, clean, and pipe complex biomass, biodiesel, and fermentation broth samples into manual sample injection and analysis of vials for downstream HPLC and GC-MS analysis.
• Media & Reagent Buffering: Accurately compound, autoclave, and validate bulk microbial growth media, standard chemical reagents, and chromatographic mobile phases.
• Lab Hygiene & Equipment Calibration: Manage glassware cleaning/sterilization protocols and perform daily standard calibrations on pH meters, analytical balances, and micro-pipettes.
• Data Documentation: Log raw testing metrics and physical measurements accurately into MS Excel sheets or the company Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).

Required Technical Skills & Competencies

• Hands-on Wet Chemistry: Demonstrated proficiency in manual titrations, solution preparation, molarity/normality calculations, and gravimetric testing.
• Optical Instrumentation: Experience operating UV-Vis Spectrophotometers for biomass optical density (OD) tracking and automated refractometers (Brix mapping).
• Sterile Execution: Foundational understanding of aseptic handling techniques to prevent cross-contamination of fermentation batches.
• Extraction Knowledge: Basic familiarity with solid-liquid and liquid-liquid extraction setups (e.g., preparation for fatty acid methyl ester/FAME analysis).
• Safety & Compliance: Strict adherence to chemical hygiene plans, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and good laboratory practices (GLP)

Educational Profile & Qualifications

• Degree: Bachelors or Masters degree (B.Sc. / M.Sc.) in Analytical Chemistry, General Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Microbiology / Biotechnology.
• Experience: 0 to 3 years of hands-on experience in an industrial R&D, environmental testing, or academic research wet laboratory.