Microbiologist - Industrial Applications

Placements24; Upington; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 720,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Professional development

Bonus program

Retirement savings

Job summary

Placements24 in Upington seeks a skilled Microbiologist to join its industrial applications R&D team. You will explore and harness microorganisms for fermentation, bioprocessing, and environmental remediation, developing new methodologies and scaling microbial-based products.

The role demands hands-on lab work, molecular biology techniques, and experience in sterilization, culture optimization, and reporting findings for patents and publications.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Microbiology, Biotechnology, or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in industrial microbiology or applied microbial research.
• Proven experience with microbial cultivation, fermentation, and sterile techniques.
• Familiarity with molecular biology techniques for microbial characterization and manipulation.
• Strong understanding of microbial physiology and biochemistry.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and laboratory skills.

Responsibilities

• Isolate, identify, and characterize microorganisms relevant to industrial applications from environmental samples.
• Develop and optimize microbial culture techniques, fermentation processes, and downstream processing methods.
• Conduct experiments to evaluate microbial performance, efficiency, and stability under different industrial conditions.
• Utilize molecular biology techniques such as PCR, DNA sequencing, and genetic engineering for strain improvement and analysis.
• Perform quality control testing on microbial products and intermediates.
• Troubleshoot technical challenges in microbial applications and propose innovative solutions.
• Contribute to the preparation of research reports, patents, and scientific publications.

Skills

Industrial microbiology

Microbiology

Fermentation

Molecular biology

PCR

DNA sequencing

Genetic engineering

Sterile techniques

Laboratory skills

Analytical thinking

Education

Master's degree in Microbiology or Biotechnology

PhD in Microbiology or Biotechnology

Tools

PCR machines

DNA sequencers

Fermenters

Downstream processing equipment

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a skilled and innovative Microbiologist to join their industrial applications research and development team in Upington . This role is critical for exploring and harnessing the power of microorganisms for various industrial processes, including fermentation, bioprocessing, and environmental remediation. You will conduct laboratory research, develop new methodologies, and contribute to the scale-up and optimization of microbial-based products and solutions. This is an excellent opportunity to work in a forward-thinking company focused on sustainable and bio-based technologies, contributing to cutting-edge advancements in the field.

Key Responsibilities

• Isolate, identify, and characterize microorganisms relevant to industrial applications from various environmental samples.
• Develop and optimize microbial culture techniques, fermentation processes, and downstream processing methods.
• Conduct experiments to evaluate microbial performance, efficiency, and stability under different industrial conditions.
• Utilize molecular biology techniques such as PCR, DNA sequencing, and genetic engineering for strain improvement and analysis.
• Perform quality control testing on microbial products and intermediates.
• Troubleshoot technical challenges in microbial applications and propose innovative solutions.
• Contribute to the preparation of research reports, patents, and scientific publications.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Microbiology, Biotechnology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in industrial microbiology or applied microbial research.
• Proven experience with microbial cultivation, fermentation, and sterile techniques.
• Familiarity with molecular biology techniques for microbial characterization and manipulation.
• Strong understanding of microbial physiology and biochemistry.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and laboratory skills.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and conference attendance.
• A dynamic and collaborative work environment focused on innovation in Upington .
• Generous paid time off and retirement savings plan.