Safety Scientist - Microbiology

ZipRecruiter; Bedford; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Unilever is seeking a Safety Scientist specializing in Microbiology to join its SERS team. The role involves assessing microbiological safety in diverse product lines and developing innovative risk assessment approaches. Candidates should possess a BSc in Microbiology and relevant industrial experience. The position offers flexible working options within a vibrant scientific community at Colworth.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Subsidised gym membership

Staff shop discounts

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Minimum of BSc degree in Microbiology or similar.
• Experience in industrial microbiological risk assessment.
• Ability to communicate complex scientific ideas effectively.

Responsibilities

• Deliver microbiological risk assessments for decision-making.
• Apply complex risk assessment frameworks for novel technologies.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Microbiological risk assessment

Communication skills

Problem-solving mindset

Education

BSc in Microbiology

PhD (desired)

Tools

Digital tools for microbiological risk assessments

Job description

Job Description

This job is with Unilever, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the + business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

Job Title: Safety Scientist - Microbiology

Location: Colworth R&D, Sharnbrook UK - hybrid

JOB PURPOSE

At Unilever, we are committed to developing safe & sustainable products for our consumers. As a Microbiology Safety Scientist in our Safety, Environmental & Regulatory (SERS) team, you will provide microbiology expertise through the application of both traditional microbiological safety risk assessment and more complex approaches/frameworks to assure the microbiological safety of Unilever's innovations and products (Personal Care, Beauty & Wellbeing, Home Care & Foods).

You will be joining a team of safety scientists, where you will be supported in your own development and learn new risk assessment approaches. You will also have the opportunity to play a role in leading the development of these novel approaches, bringing robust, new science to our microbiological safety assessments, supporting both current and future needs of Unilever.

In this exciting role, you will work in multidisciplinary teams and collaborate with a diverse range of internal and external partners and scientists, working for a successful global company that is focused on providing superior brands and products to brighten everyday life for all.

The role is based in the dynamic environment of our SERS team at Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook located near Bedford.

Please note: this is not a lab-based role.

RESPONSIBILITIES

We are looking for a talented and experienced Microbiological Safety Risk Assessor to join our SERS team to:

• Deliver transparent, well-documented microbiological risk assessments to SERS project teams to enable robust decision-making and communicate the outcomes internally and to business partners, providing guidance on risk management where necessary.
• Apply more complex risk assessment approaches/frameworks to ensure the safety of novel technologies with regard, for example, to antimicrobial resistance or changes in the human microbiome.
• Use digital tools and systems to support the microbiological risk assessments and for their capture.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with key stakeholders internal and external to Unilever, e.g., business partners, academic partners.
• Lead the development of microbiological safety science through internal work or external collaborations, delivering to the current and future needs of Unilever's business.

ALL ABOUT YOU

You'll need to be able to work effectively and with impact in cross-disciplinary teams and in multi-cultural environments, be flexible and willing to adapt within a fast-changing business environment.

We would expect the successful candidate to have:

• Minimum of BSc graduate qualification (or equivalent) in Microbiology (or similar relevant subject, if combined with microbiology-specific modules or experience)
• Knowledge of microbiological risk assessment and proven experience of its application in an industrial context (for Personal Care/Beauty & Wellbeing, Home Care and Foods).
• Proven experience in leading scientific research projects/sub-projects, with good evidence of leadership and delivery through partnerships
• Knowledge of microbial ecology, host-microbe interactions, microbial physiology and clinical features of pathogenic microorganisms (relevant to Personal Care/Beauty & Wellbeing, Home Care and Foods)
• Knowledge of mechanisms of action of antimicrobials and issues around antimicrobial resistance
• An understanding of the human microbiome (including gut, skin, oral) and methods used to study it
• Excellent written & verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex ideas to technical and non-technical audiences
• Evidence of a creative, problem-solving mindset
• An ability to use digital tools and systems
• High self-motivation, with the ability to collaborate effectively in interdisciplinary teams

Desirable

• Ability to analyse and interpret complex microbiome data.
• Post graduate experience or a higher degree/qualification (e.g., PhD)

Location

Colworth is a vibrant scientific community with around 500 Unilever employees from 33 countries, with 88 PhDs, 8 Professors, and 40 apprentices. On site there are various facilities including a restaurant, gym, and a nursery. There are many social and recreational activities such as lunchtime walks or runs in the surrounding countryside, the Colworth Striders, and Colworth Cats netball team. London is a short 40-minute train ride from Bedford.

NOTES

About Unilever

Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of Food, Home and Personal Care products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2 billion consumers a day. It has more than 400 brands including Dove, Tresemme, Lynx, Lifebuoy, Shea Moisture, Persil, Domestos, Marmite, The Vegetarian Butcher, Graze, and Pot Noodle.

Faced with climate change and the need for human development, our purpose is 'to make sustainable living commonplace'.

What We Offer

We offer a competitive salary, pension scheme, annual bonus, subsidised gym membership, staff shop discounts, and shares. The role supports flexible and hybrid working options. We promote wellbeing and offer various support programs and development opportunities. We are committed to a family-friendly, inclusive workplace and providing reasonable adjustments during the application and interview process.

Unilever is about embracing diversity, creating possibilities, and growing together for better business performance. We consider all applicants fairly and develop all employees regardless of background, belief, or circumstances. For more information, visit our Employee Resource Groups page.

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