Laboratory Technician, Process R&D

IFF; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading company in the food industry as a Laboratory Technician in Madison, Wisconsin. You will perform essential laboratory tasks, support product development, and ensure quality in food manufacturing processes. This role requires a degree in microbiology or related fields and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Degree in microbiology or related field with industry experience.
• Ability to design, conduct, and report scientific experiments.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine laboratory tasks including media making and microbiology.
• Analyze culture performance data and communicate trends.
• Design and execute experiments, analyze results, and report findings.

Skills

Communication

Organizational Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in microbiology

Bachelor’s Degree in bioprocess

Bachelor’s Degree in biotechnology

Bachelor’s Degree in biochemistry

Bachelor’s Degree in chemical/process engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Six Sigma Greenbelt tools

Data/statistical software

Job description

Join to apply for the Laboratory Technician, Process R&D role at IFF.

Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.

Job Summary

The IFF Nutrition & Biosciences plant located in Madison, Wisconsin, USA manufactures a variety of food products and ingredients used in everyday food items, many of them found in local grocery stores including: starter cultures used in the production of cheese, yogurt, buttermilk, sour cream; probiotic cultures used for their health promoting effects on the digestive system of humans and animals; and other food ingredients such as food antioxidants for food preservation and enzymes used in cheese manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine laboratory tasks including media making, microbiology, fermentation setup, microscopic evaluation, harvesting, downstream processing, freeze dryer loading, water activity measurement, and cell plating.
• Support development and implementation of cost-effective manufacturing conditions impacting cell yield, stability, quality, or activity for microbial strains.
• Maintain and update data sets and laboratory batch tickets.
• Analyze culture performance data and communicate trends.
• Investigate and support resolution of product deviations.
• Design and execute experiments, analyze results, and report findings.
• Coordinate pilot-scale manufacturing of experimental products, working directly with operators and writing reports.
• Monitor process data and product quality post-industrialization, troubleshoot issues, and support process improvements.
• Assist in transferring products and processes between sites and from R&D to production.
• Serve as a technical resource for manufacturing, providing input on product and process issues.
• Document results thoroughly and communicate effectively with team members.
• Support occasional off-hour work, including weekends.

Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in microbiology, bioprocess, biotechnology, biochemistry, chemical/process engineering, or related field with industry experience.
• Understanding of lactic acid bacteria physiology, freeze-drying, microbial fermentation, and process equipment (preferred).
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Ability to independently design, conduct, and report scientific experiments.
• Familiarity with project management, Six Sigma Greenbelt tools, and data/statistical software.

We value diversity and strive for an inclusive workplace. Learn more at IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion.