Associate Scientist

Davita Inc.; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in food ingredients seeks an Associate Scientist for its Madison location to support probiotic research. The role involves designing experiments, employing advanced lab techniques, and collaborating within a dynamic team to optimize product formulation and quality standards.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years of professional lab experience required.
• Proficiency in PCR and microbial culture methods.
• Experience with automated systems is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments analyzing probiotic health.
• Support customer projects using ddPCR techniques.
• Automate and streamline lab processes.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication

Organizational skills

Time-management

Collaborative work

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Molecular Biology

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Microbiology

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Biochemistry

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Biotechnology

Tools

PCR techniques

Flow cytometry

Automated liquid handling systems

Job description

Job Summary

At IFF, an industry leader in food ingredients, taste, scent, health, and biosciences, we make joy through science, creativity, and heart. The IFF site in Madison, WI manufactures probiotics for use in dietary supplements;the science behind our products distinguishes IFF as an industry leader.

The Probiotic Development (PD) Stability Team investigates the performance of IFF probiotics over time, enabling optimal product formulation and ensuring our portfolio meets quality standards. The team also plays an essential role in the development of next-generation probiotics. The Associate Scientist will actively contribute to these important studies.

The Associate Scientist will join a dynamic team of stability experts and should demonstrate a high level of scientific potential and initiative, with a desire to learn. The primary focus of the position will be to design and execute experiments aiming to analyze probiotic survival and health under various conditions, using traditional and novel methods. The Associate Scientist will also participate in ongoing efforts to increase lab throughput via automation and digitalization. The ability to independently interpret results, troubleshoot, offer alternative solutions, and determine future project directions is essential. Projects may investigate bacterial viability, new probiotic delivery formats, next generation probiotic development, or support customer-specific requests.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Align with IFF strategic goals by using digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) enumeration techniques to support customer projects and next generation probiotic development efforts.
• Employ traditional PCR methods and DNA sequencing for strain identification and development.
• Implement flow cytometry methods to understand the health and viability of probiotic strains.
• Use standard microbiological enumeration techniques to evaluate probiotic stability.
• Contribute to efforts to automate and streamline lab processes.
• Perform enzyme assays to understand probiotic mode of action.
• Communicate and collaborate with product line management, sales, and applications teams to provide individualized customer care.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree inMolecular Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or a related field.

Experience:

• 2-3 years of professional laboratory experience in an academic or industry setting.
• Proficiency inPCR-based techniques and microbial culture methods.
• Experience withautomated liquid handling systemsis highly desirable.

Skills:

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.

Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more