Senior Microbiologist - Environmental Remediation

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health insurance

Retirement savings options

Professional development opportunities

Remote-friendly environment

Job summary

Placements24 invites applications for a Senior Microbiologist role supporting an environmental technology client. The remote position focuses on leading R&D for bioremediation, identifying microbial processes, and developing scalable remediation strategies. You will work with cross-disciplinary teams to translate lab findings into field-ready solutions.

The ideal candidate has a Ph.D. in microbiology or related field, 6+ years of experience, and strong capabilities in molecular techniques,

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Microbiology or related field with bioremediation specialization.
• 6+ years post-doctoral or industry experience in environmental microbiology.
• Experience isolating, culturing, and identifying diverse environmental microorganisms; molecular techniques proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead research projects on microbial diversity, function and application in bioremediation.
• Isolate, culture, and characterize microorganisms from environmental matrices.
• Develop microbial consortia and strategies for in-situ and ex-situ remediation.
• Design and conduct lab- and pilot-scale remediation experiments.
• Analyze microbial communities using molecular techniques and interpret results.
• Translate findings into practical remediation plans with stakeholders.
• Prepare technical reports, publications, and grant proposals.
• Stay current with advances in microbiology and remediation technologies.

Skills

Environmental microbiology

Bioremediation

Project management

Data analysis

Scientific communication

Education

Ph.D. in Microbiology or related field with bioremediation specialization

Tools

QIIME2

Mothur

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking environmental technology company, is actively seeking a Senior Microbiologist to lead research and development efforts in environmental remediation. This is a fully remote position, offering flexibility and the opportunity to work from anywhere while contributing to critical environmental solutions. The role will focus on identifying, characterizing, and harnessing microbial processes for the bioremediation of contaminated sites. You will play a key role in developing innovative strategies and deploying microbial solutions to address complex environmental challenges. The ideal candidate possesses extensive expertise in environmental microbiology, a strong understanding of bioremediation technologies, and a passion for sustainable environmental practices. This role is essential for driving our mission to create a cleaner, healthier planet through advanced scientific approaches, enabling impactful work in a remote-first collaborative setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead research projects focused on microbial diversity, function, and application in bioremediation.
• Isolate, culture, and characterize environmental microorganisms with potential for pollutant degradation.
• Develop and optimize microbial consortia and strategies for effective in-situ and ex-situ remediation.
• Design and conduct laboratory-scale and pilot-scale experiments to assess remediation efficacy.
• Analyze microbial community structures and metabolic pathways using molecular techniques (e.g., 16S rRNA sequencing, metagenomics).
• Interpret complex data and translate findings into practical, implementable remediation plans.
• Collaborate with environmental engineers, geologists, and other stakeholders to integrate microbial solutions into broader remediation projects.
• Prepare technical reports, scientific publications, and grant proposals.
• Stay current with advancements in environmental microbiology, biotechnology, and remediation technologies.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Microbiology, Environmental Science, Biotechnology, or a related field, with a specialization in environmental microbiology or bioremediation.
• A minimum of 6 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in environmental microbiology research.
• Demonstrated expertise in isolating, culturing, and identifying diverse microorganisms from environmental matrices.
• Strong knowledge of microbial physiology, genetics, and molecular techniques relevant to environmental applications.
• Proven experience with bioremediation techniques and assessment methodologies.
• Proficiency in bioinformatics tools for analyzing microbial community data (e.g., QIIME2, Mothur).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think creatively about environmental challenges.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, suitable for a remote team environment.
• Experience in project management and leading research initiatives.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary and benefits package designed for remote employees, including comprehensive health insurance, retirement savings options, and opportunities for professional development. We value flexibility and support a healthy work-life balance, enabling employees to thrive in their chosen work environment. This remote role provides the opportunity to work on impactful projects that contribute to global environmental sustainability, fostering a sense of purpose and achievement. Our client is committed to innovation and providing its team members with the resources and support needed to excel in their roles, regardless of their geographical location.