Senior Microbiologist - Environmental Studies

Placements24; Klerksdorp; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional development opportunities

Modern laboratory facilities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Microbiologist to lead research in environmental microbiology at our Klerksdorp facility. You will oversee experimental design, data analysis, and reporting, guiding a multidisciplinary team.

The role emphasizes microbial ecology, metagenomics, bioremediation, and sustainable resource management, with opportunities to publish and contribute to environmental conservation.

Qualifications

• PhD in Microbiology, Environmental Science, or related field with microbial ecology focus.
• Minimum 5 years of post‑doctoral or industry research experience.
• Expertise in cultivation, identification, molecular techniques, and bioinformatics.
• Experience designing environmental field and lab studies.
• Strong written and verbal communication with publications track record.

Responsibilities

• Conduct advanced research on microbial communities in soil, water, and air.
• Develop and implement molecular techniques such as metagenomics and qPCR.
• Design experiments to assess bioremediation of pollutants.
• Analyze data and prepare reports and publications.
• Manage laboratory operations, safety, and equipment at the Klerksdorp facility.
• Mentor junior researchers and technicians.

Education

PhD in Microbiology or related field (microbial ecology focus)

Tools

16S rRNA sequencing

Bioinformatics

qPCR

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an accomplished Senior Microbiologist to lead crucial research initiatives within their Environmental Studies division in Klerksdorp . This role focuses on investigating microbial ecosystems, their role in environmental processes, and their potential applications in bioremediation and sustainable resource management. You will manage research projects, from experimental design to data analysis and reporting, contributing vital knowledge to environmental conservation and innovation. The ideal candidate will possess extensive expertise in microbial ecology, molecular techniques, and laboratory management. This is an excellent opportunity to work in a well-equipped laboratory, collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, and make a significant contribution to understanding and improving our environment. You will be responsible for guiding research efforts and mentoring junior staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct advanced research on microbial communities in various environmental matrices (soil, water, air).
• Develop and implement molecular techniques such as metagenomics and qPCR for microbial community analysis.
• Design and execute experiments to assess the efficacy of microbial solutions for bioremediation of pollutants.
• Analyze and interpret complex microbiological and environmental data, preparing comprehensive reports and publications.
• Manage laboratory operations, including equipment maintenance, quality control, and safety protocols for the Klerksdorp facility.
• Supervise and mentor junior researchers and technicians involved in environmental microbiology projects.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Microbiology, Environmental Science, or a related field with a strong focus on microbial ecology.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant post-doctoral or industry research experience.
• Proven expertise in microbial cultivation, identification, molecular techniques (e.g., 16S rRNA sequencing), and bioinformatics.
• Experience in designing and conducting environmental field and laboratory studies.
• Strong understanding of environmental processes and the role of microorganisms within them.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a record of scientific publications.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunities to work on impactful environmental research projects.
• Access to modern laboratory facilities and field equipment in Klerksdorp .
• Support for professional development, including workshops and conferences.
• A collaborative research environment dedicated to environmental sustainability.
• Generous paid time off and retirement plan options.