Fermentation Live Laboratory Technician
IFF is seeking a Process R&D Lab Technician to join our Fermentation Live team in Madison, WI!
In this role, the Laboratory Technician will be expected to perform basic laboratory tasks to support supervised research as part of larger, multifunctional project teams. If you are a team player with great communication skills, then this is the role for you!
IFF Nutrition and Health business is a world leader delivering innovative and sustainable solutions across food, health, pharma and biotech industries encompassing approximately 70 manufacturing locations, 20 Application Centers and 10 Global R&D Centers. With annual revenues exceeding 6B, we are a global, diverse and inclusive winning team of more than 10,000 employees based in more than 50 countries. Benefitting from our diversity in nationalities, gender, educational and personal backgrounds, we are joint in our ambition to bring solutions to the world which enable a more sustainable and healthy world!
The Fermentation Live Lab Technician will assist and take direction from immediate laboratory supervisor with basic laboratory experimental work and product development. The Lab Technician will work as part of a project team and will be required to perform basic laboratory tasks to support supervised laboratory experimental work and development of new products and processes.
The principle focus will be to support supervised research directed towards optimization of culture performance (i.e. yield, count, stability, activity) for the dietary supplement, dairy/food, and animal nutrition industries. It is expected that the new Laboratory Technician will master the routine, basic laboratory methods/tasks to independently perform such methods/tasks on a daily basis as requested by the immediate supervisor to support project work. The Laboratory Technician will also assist project teams with work toward business based development goals.
Main responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Perform basic laboratory tasks and experimental work as directed by immediate supervisor. For Fermentation Live, these tasks will include media making, basic microbiology associated with seed transfers, fermentation set up and inoculation, microscopic evaluation of cells, harvesting and downstream processing of fermentate, loading and unloading freeze dryer, measuring water activities, and plating and enumeration of cells.
• Independently perform routine laboratory and experimental tasks to support supervised research.
• Document results in lab notebooks and updating corresponding spreadsheets. Communicate results to supervisor and relevant team members.
• Write technical notes/technical reports upon completion of TSRs and appropriate project tasks to communicate findings.
• Wash fermenters/glassware and keep work area clean
• Regular attendance is mandatory and schedule flexibility is preferred to support immediate supervisor with labscale development and scale up work in Pilot and Production, which may need support from time-to-time that overlap with 2nd or 3rd shifts.
• Strict adherence to GMP.
• Constantly strive to learn, improve, and apply new knowledge towards the research, project, and business objectives.
• Compliance with DuPont’s Core Values, Life Saving Rules, and all other company policies is required.
Job Requirements
The following are required:
• A 2-year degree or higher in a biology, chemistry, microbiology, biochemistry, biotechnology, food science, or related field
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and independently perform routine tasks as directed by immediate supervisor
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to effectively present results
• A working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Capable of working both independently and in a collaborative setting
• Ability to safely perform multiple tasks and coordinate activities
• Strong problem solving and troubleshooting skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Willing and able to perform occasional lifting of raw materials, water, etc. (up to 50 lbs.) to help restock the lab
• Willing and able to work a rotating weekend schedule which would see the new hire working approximately one Sunday a month
Note: For consideration for the position, one must include an updated resume, participate and be successful in an interview process, and pass a drug screen, background check, physical screen, etc.
The following are preferred:
• Knowledge of lactic acid bacteria physiology, genetics, and food fermentation systems
• 1-2 years of experience in similar field
• Computer networking and/or programming experience/education
• Analytical lab experience