Microbiologist

Mid Valley Dairy And Agro; Perambalur; On-site; INR 420,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Mid Valley Dairy And Agro is seeking a Microbiologist for Dairy Products & QA/R&D support in its facility. You will perform routine microbiological analyses on raw milk, processed products, and packaging surfaces, ensuring product safety and quality throughout production.

The role requires hands-on lab work and strict adherence to GMP standards. The candidate will manage cultures, monitor fermentation, and help validate plant hygiene through environmental monitoring and CIP validation, aligning

Qualifications

• Bachelor's/Master's in Microbiology, Dairy Microbiology, Food Microbiology, or Food Technology.
• 2–3 years in a dairy processing facility or certified food testing lab.
• Hands-on with serial dilutions, plating, Gram staining, biochemical ID.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine microbiological analysis on raw milk, in-process samples, and finished dairy products.
• Screen for indicator organisms and pathogens (TPC, Coliforms, E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria, Staph. aureus).
• Maintain, propagate, and monitor starter and probiotic cultures for fermented dairy lines.
• Conduct line swabbing, environmental monitoring, and CIP validation to ensure hygiene.
• Design shelf-life and challenge studies; support regulatory compliance with FSSAI ISO 22000 and HACCP.

Skills

Aseptic technique

Pathogen isolation

Root-cause investigation

CIP validation

FSSAI standards

Education

B.Sc / M.Sc / B.Tech in Microbiology or related

Tools

Rapid test kits

Autoclaves

Laminar flow hood

Incubation monitoring

Job description

Role: Microbiologist Dairy Products & QA/R&D Support

Target Experience: 2-3 Years

Function: Microbial Profiling, Culture Management, Plant Hygiene & Shelf-Life Validation

Core Responsibilities

• Microbial Testing & Quality Control: Perform routine and batch-release microbiological analysis on raw milk, in-process samples, and finished dairy products (milk, paneer, curd/dahi, cheese, ghee).
• Pathogen & Spoilage Detection: Screen for indicator organisms and pathogens including Total Plate Count (TPC), Coliforms, E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, as well as yeast and mold counts.
• Culture Management & Fermentation: Maintain, propagate, and monitor starter and probiotic cultures for fermented dairy lines; verify activity, viability, and acidification kinetics.
• Plant Hygiene & Environmental Monitoring: Conduct line swabbing (tanks, pipes, homogenizers, fillers, packaging surfaces), hand swabs, and air settle-plate tests to validate CIP (Clean-in-Place) and sanitization efficacy.
• Shelf-Life & Challenge Testing: Design accelerated and real-time microbial challenge studies to determine product stability, post-pasteurization contamination points, and spoilage thresholds.
• Regulatory Compliance & Audits: Ensure lab protocols align with FSSAI regulations, ISO 22000, FSMS, and HACCP standards; maintain daily calibration and testing logs for audit readiness.

Candidate Profile & Qualifications

• Education: B.Sc, M.Sc, or B.Tech in Microbiology, Food Microbiology, Dairy Microbiology, or Food Technology.
• Technical Experience (2-3 Years):
  
  • Practical laboratory experience in an operating dairy processing facility or certified food testing lab.
  • Strong hands-on proficiency in serial dilutions, pour plating, streak plating, Gram staining, and biochemical identification.
  • Experience handling rapid microbial test kits, autoclaves, laminar flow hoods, and incubation monitoring.
• Key Skills: Aseptic technique, pathogen isolation, root-cause investigation for high bacterial/coliform counts, CIP validation, and FSSAI analytical standards.