Main Functions
The Application Microbiologist is an entry-level position within the Application Technology Group within Lallemand Corporate R&D at Mascoma LLC, and will support the commercial operations of a multinational yeast and enzyme supplier to the fuel ethanol and distilled spirits industries.
The selected individual will apply common microbiology, biochemistry, fermentation and molecular biology skills to perform quality control evaluations of enzyme, yeast nutrient, engineered yeast, and antimicrobial products and evaluate the performance of products in the application. A significant portion of the job involves thorough documentation of the process and results, accompanied by technical report writing.
The candidate will perform these tasks in support of company goals and priorities in conjunction with their manager and other team members and will assist in solving technical problems. This is an internal customer-facing position that offers a flexible schedule with considerable autonomy but will also require the ability to work longer hours when needed or required by experiments and customer needs.
Primary Responsibilities Include:
- Accurately perform standard operating procedures (SOPs) to evaluate the quality of enzyme, nutrient, antimicrobial, and yeast products for the bioethanol industry. This work will primarily use standard biochemical and microbiological assays for enzymatic activity, nutrient quantitation, antimicrobial activity, and agar plating.
- Conduct fermentations at scales from multi-well plate to laboratory bioreactor.
- Conduct experiments and carry out sample evaluations to understand and optimize the performance of yeasts and enzymes under industrial conditions to support customer use of existing products and successfully bring new value-added products to market.
- Prepare and analyze samples or coordinate sample analyses with in-house analytical team.
- Follow SOPs and adhere to good laboratory practices (GLP) and applicable local, state, or federal regulations.
- Analyze and interpret test results, prepare reports, and present findings to the department or wider organization.
Organization:
Lallemand is a privately held Canadian company, which develops, produces, and markets microorganisms for various markets. The company is comprised of 11 major business units, each focused on specific applications of yeast and bacteria, with activities worldwide. Mascoma LLC (Lebanon, New Hampshire), part of the Lallemand Corporate R&D business group, is a leader in the research and development of new industrial biotechnology products. Its team members are developing microbial products and applications that enable the efficient and sustainable production of fuels and chemicals, feed, and food products from agricultural or other biomass sources. Mascoma LLC is an equal opportunity employer and offers competitive compensation and benefits including: medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 401(k) program and matching contributions; company-paid short-term and long-term disability benefits; paid vacation, personal time, and holidays; and tuition reimbursement for job-related ongoing education. The Lallemand Student Debt Program allows employees to have their student debt payments recognised as if they are contributions to the 401(k) retirement plan, making them eligible for the company match.
We continually aim to increase the diversity and inclusiveness of our workforce, recognizing that fresh perspectives and diverse life experiences bring about the new ideas and creativity that make our team succeed. If you want to help bring enthusiasm, collaboration and innovation to our workplace, we’d love to get to know you!
Technical skills
Required
- B.S. degree in Biotechnology, Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Fermentation Sciences, or Chemical or Biochemical Engineering; other disciplines considered depending on specific experience.
- Able to understand and apply SOPs to perform laboratory analyses.
- Experience accurately executing laboratory procedures associated with biological product quality control and product applications, including at least a portion of the following techniques, with ability to quickly learn and accurately perform the remaining techniques: preparation of media and stock solutions, serial dilutions, use of plate readers and spectrophotometers, PCR reaction setup, agarose gel electrophoresis, agar streak and dilution series plating, Gram staining, enzymatic activity assays, nutrient quantitation assays, antimicrobial activity assays, fermentation at scales from multi-well plate to laboratory bioreactor, and preparation of samples for HPLC and other analytical methods.
- Knowledge of good laboratory practices.
- Strong aseptic technique working in a biosafety cabinet.
- Experience maintaining or ability to accurately and thoroughly maintain a laboratory notebook.
- Experience working in a Microsoft applications environment: Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
An asset
- 1-3 years of experience in a microbiology laboratory within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical device industry OR independent research projects in a university setting.
- Knowledge of good SOP documentation practices.
- Familiarity with microbial physiology and molecular biology.
- Experience with quantitative PCR (qPCR) reactions.
- Knowledge of the following analytical techniques and sample preparation for them: ICP, MALDI, SEC, LC/MS.
Personal abilities
Required
- Good troubleshooting skills.
- Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent attention to detail, time management, and planning, organizational, and record-keeping skills.
- Strong sense of initiative.
- Positive attitude and willing to proactively take responsibility for project and community laboratory tasks.
- Coachability: a willingness and ability to actively seek, receive, and act upon constructive feedback.
- A commitment to working safely in a laboratory environment.
General criteria
Required
- Candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
- Ability to reliably commute to, or planning to relocate before starting work at, Lebanon, NH site.
Organization
Lallemand is a privately held Canadian company founded in the late 19th century, which develops, produces, and markets microorganisms for various markets. The administrative offices of the parent company are in Montreal, Canada. Today, Lallemand employs more than 6,500 people working in more than 45 countries on 5 continents.
Lallemand's corporate division encompasses all of the support services offered to our branches. Its goal is to optimize internal processes, ensure that your operation is running smoothly, and that your strategy is well thought-out.
Our corporate branch's head office is located in Montreal, Canada, and relies on a team that specializes in: Management; Finance and accounting; Engineering; Research and Development (R&D); Human Resources (HR); and Information Technology (IT). If you want to help bring enthusiasm, collaboration and innovation to our workplace, we'd love to get to know you!
Please take note that accommodations will be provided in all parts of the hiring process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.
