Junior Research Associate - Consumer And Sensory Sciences

ITC Limited; Arishinakunte; On-site; INR 300,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading FMCG company is seeking a Junior Research Associate in Karnataka to plan and execute product claims substantiation activities. The ideal candidate will have an M.Sc. in Microbiology or related fields, with 1–5 years of experience in microbiological testing. Key responsibilities include engaging stakeholders, conducting consumer research, and maintaining advanced laboratory instruments. This is a full-time entry-level position offering opportunities for skill enhancement and development.

Qualifications

• 1–5 years’ experience in Microbiology, Cell Culture, and Personal Care product testing in FMCG or allied industries.
• Experience with Personal Care and Home Care product evaluations.
• Knowledge of statistics.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and execute product claims substantiation activities.
• Assist in product evaluations and claim substantiation via research.
• Engage with consumers to draw insights on product performance.

Skills

Microbiology laboratory testing skills

Self-initiator with strong communication skills

Biotechnology skills

Instrument and lab maintenance

Language proficiency in Kannada, Tamil or Telugu, Hindi

Education

M.Sc. Microbiology or M.Sc. Microbiology + Biotechnology

Tools

MS Excel

MS Word

MS PowerPoint

Job description

Junior Research Associate - Consumer And Sensory Sciences

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Responsibilities

The Junior Research Associate (JRA) will plan, coordinate, and execute product claims substantiation activities using Microbiology, Biotechnology, and Consumer research methods across different categories and brands within Personal Care R&D, within defined timelines.

• Assist in product evaluations and claim substantiation via wet lab research (Microbiology/Cell‑Culture/Bioassays), dry lab research, consumer/clinical research within defined timelines.
• Actively engage with stakeholders (formulation teams, brand teams) to understand requirements, suggest appropriate testing approaches, ensure timely execution, and communicate results per schedule.
• Engage with consumers to draw insights on product performance and acceptance, behavior and preferences.
• Ensure thorough documentation of all assigned projects.
• Work independently and in teams (within and across functions) to enable timely decisions.
• Operate and maintain advanced instruments used for in vivo and in vitro product evaluations.
• Participate in ideation and troubleshooting activities within the group.
• Continuously learn and develop existing processes and new methods for skill enhancement.

Qualifications

• M.Sc. Microbiology or M.Sc. Microbiology + Biotechnology.
• Biotechnology skills such as Human/Animal Cell culture techniques would be a plus.
• Knowledge/experience in Personal Care and Home Care product evaluations (skin, hair, surfaces), basic appreciation of statistics.

Work Experience

• 1–5 years’ experience in Microbiology, Cell Culture, Cell Biology, and Personal Care product testing in FMCG or allied industries.
• Experience in Personal Care and Home Care product evaluations (skin, hair, surfaces), basic appreciation of statistics.

Skills

• Microbiology laboratory testing skills: aseptic and sterile techniques, optical microscopy, bacterial staining, culturing, isolation, enumeration, identification, use of biosafety cabinets, media preparation, diagnostic biochemical tests, antimicrobial bioassays.
• Self‑initiator with strong, clear, and open communication skills, analytical mindset, willingness to learn and operate advanced instruments and research methodologies employed in product efficacy assessments.
• Biotechnology skills: Human/Animal Cell culture, cryo‑preservation, MTT assay, cell lysate preparation, RNA/DNA extraction, cDNA and qPCR.
• Instrument and lab maintenance, experience with audits and ISO 14001, 17025, etc.
• Networking abilities and communication with external labs/CROs.
• Language proficiency in Kannada, Tamil or Telugu, Hindi.

Knowledge

• MS Excel, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, basic statistical tools.
• Fair understanding of Personal Care and Home Care products and market.
• Above‑average understanding of Skin and Hair Biology and basic methods for evaluating product efficacy.

Job Information

• Seniority level: Entry level
• Employment type: Full‑time
• Job function: Research, Analyst, Information Technology
• Industries: Manufacturing

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