Senior Microbiologist - Industrial Applications

Placements24; Benoni; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus opportunities

Health coverage

Retirement plan

Professional development

Advanced lab facilities

Job summary

Placements24 in Benoni is seeking an experienced Senior Microbiologist to lead industrial microbiology R&D, guiding projects from discovery to application in areas such as environmental remediation, industrial fermentation, and bioprocessing.

You will design and execute research plans, develop microbial strains or consortia, scale processes from lab to pilot, and collaborate with stakeholders while maintaining safety, environmental, and quality standards.

Qualifications

• PhD required in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology or related field.
• Minimum 5 years in industrial microbiology or R&D setting.
• Proven expertise in cultivation, fermentation, and strain development.
• Strong molecular biology and sequencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead research projects focusing on discovery, characterization, and application of industrially relevant microorganisms.
• Develop and optimize microbial fermentation processes for desired yields and environmental benefits.
• Perform genetic modification and strain improvement of microorganisms using molecular biology techniques.
• Conduct laboratory-scale and pilot-scale experiments to evaluate process performance and scalability.
• Analyze microbial data, interpret results, and present findings to stakeholders and clients.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards in the laboratory.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Microbiology expertise

Molecular biology knowledge

Education

PhD in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology

Tools

PCR

Gene cloning

Sequencing analysis

Bioinformatics tools

Fermentation technology

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Microbiologist to lead their industrial microbiology research and development efforts in Benoni . This role involves exploring and optimizing microbial solutions for applications in areas such as environmental remediation, industrial fermentation, and bioprocessing. You will be responsible for designing and executing research projects, developing novel microbial strains or consortia, and scaling up processes for industrial implementation. The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of microbial physiology, genetics, and ecological interactions, combined with a passion for applying microbiological principles to solve real-world industrial challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead research projects focused on the discovery, characterization, and application of industrially relevant microorganisms .
• Develop and optimize microbial fermentation processes for desired product yields or environmental benefits.
• Perform genetic modification and strain improvement of microorganisms using molecular biology techniques.
• Conduct laboratory-scale and pilot-scale experiments to evaluate process performance and scalability.
• Analyze microbial data, interpret results, and present findings to stakeholders and clients.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant safety, environmental, and quality standards in the laboratory.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in industrial microbiology or a related R&D setting.
• Proven expertise in microbial cultivation, fermentation technology, and strain development.
• Strong knowledge of molecular biology techniques, including PCR, gene cloning, and sequencing analysis.
• Experience with bioinformatics tools for analyzing microbial genomes and metabolic pathways.
• Excellent leadership, project management, and communication skills.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary and bonus opportunities.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement savings plan and life insurance.
• Opportunities for professional development, including conferences and workshops.
• Access to advanced laboratory facilities and equipment in Benoni .