Microbiology Technician

Job Description

• Responsible for providing support to research scientists in the completion of research projects or activities.
• Responsible for conducting piloting trials in a food grade laboratory, routine analysis, reporting and communicating results.
• Responsible for maintaining pilot plant equipment and ensuring EHS and Food safety compliance.
• Supports a core technology component area for the Starches and Sweeteners business as well as customers.
• Supports the research group in a given implementation of business defined technology needs.
• Serves as a piloting team resource in one or more broad core technology components:
• Core Technologies (e.g. separations, fermentation, product safety, milling and grinding)
• Enabling sciences (e.g. process modeling, toxicology, advanced analytics, sensory, nutrition, sensory, chemistry)
• Ingredients/Product Lines (e.g. Sweeteners, Dextrose, Fat/Oils)
• Food Applications (e.g. dairy, convenience, beverages)
• Feed Applications (e.g. ruminants, pork, poultry, equine)
• Provide support to research scientists in the completion of research projects or activities
• Conduct pilot trials, routine experiments, organizing and communicating results; may provide routine analysis
• Maintain pilot/laboratory equipment
• Ensure corporate EHS and Food Safety compliance
• Responsibilities include processing, monitoring, collecting samples, and running small tests.
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, Food Science or related Science field
• Associates degree with relevant experience may also be considered.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, teamwork, collaboration, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety in the job environment
• Ability to work effectively and cooperatively in a team environment
• Ability to execute designed experiments as well as troubleshoot and make corrections during experimentation
• Microsoft Office suite
• 6 months to 3 yrs. experience in a food grade pilot plant environment
• Hands-on experience in microbiology sampling, sterile technique and/or fermentation principles and operation.
• Experience in setup and operation of lab and/or pilot scale fermentations.
• Experience with downstream purification technologies, such as chromatography, separations (e.g., centrifugation, filtration, membrane separation), crystallization and evaporation
• Physical Assessment (up to 50lbs)
• Basic lab experience is necessary (training will be provided).
• Experience with bench-scale work is preferred.
  
  

Benefits

Healthcare Insurance: Synectics offers eligible employees and their dependents healthcare coverage through BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full time employment with Synectics. Premiums are subsidized by Synectics.

Dental Insurance: Synectics offers eligible employees and their dependents a dental plan through MetLife. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full time employment with Synectics.

Vision Insurance: Synectics offers eligible employees vision insurance through VSP. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full time employment with Synectics.401(k) Plan: The Synectics Inc. Investment Savings Retirement Plan. Synectics offers all employees who are 21 years of age or older the opportunity to invest in the 401(k) Plan on the first enrollment date that is at least 30 days after employment begins. Enrollment dates are each January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, and October 1st.

Technical Certification Bonus: Synectics is pleased to award its employees a bonus of up to $500 for an approved professional certification. In determining the bonus amount, Synectics will consider the cost of the test(s) for any certification relating to your current position, achieved during your employment with us. Only one Certification Bonus per calendar year may be awarded per employee. Only current, active employees will be eligible to receive this bonus. It will be awarded 90 days after the Synectics office has received documentation confirming the successful completion of the certification.

Synectics is an equal opportunity employer.