Culture Collection Microbiologist

**About Us**

Celtic Renewables is bio-technology company on a path to the global commercialisation of their patented technology that converts low value by-products, residues and wastes into high value green chemicals using an innovative adaptation of the century-old proven Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol (ABE) fermentation process.

**Role Purpose**:
As a Culture Collection Microbiologist, you will work within the Research and Innovation Team at our Napier University Laboratory located at Sighthill. The role includes the management of the Celtic Renewables culture collection and the mass production of bacterial cell cultures for our production facility based at Grangemouth. Your role will help deliver the Company Vision “To be the World Leader in ABE Fermentation as a Global Sustainable Industry”.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- You will ensure that safe working practices and the strict requirements on the Integrated Management System are followed, to ensure compliance.
- You will carry out experimental protocols as per agreed Standard Operating Procedures.
- Keep thorough details of your results in the specified company format, which you will maintain and present.
- You will be responsible for collating and maintaining relevant data in the company format.
- You will be responsible for the production and maintenance of the culture collection for use in research.
- You will be responsible for the consistent mass production of high quality cultures for use at our biorefineries with support from a specialist technician and research assistant.
- You will assist in SOP development to facilitate in optimisation of bacterial storage and revival and cell troubleshooting.
- You will be involved in projects & applied trials to support process optimisation and troubleshooting.
- You will assist the director of R&I with research development tasks.

**Skills & Experience**:

- You will have a PhD in microbiology, or equivalent relevant experience in a microbiological laboratory environment.
- Academic or industrial experience with bacterial cell culture and cell line development and a proven track record of problem solving in this area.
- Experience in a number of bacterial cell culture storage techniques, is a must, to provide working cultures in a number of formats.
- You will have knowledge of the ABE process.
- Experience with anaerobic spore-forming bacteria is desirable.
- You can demonstrate knowledge and experience of Good Laboratory Practice and COSHH.
- Able to execute a high standards of cell culturing and with excellent aseptic technique, to produce high quality cells for use in research and manufacturing.
- You will have extensive and proven experience in microbiological techniques such as, but not limited to - aseptic technique; aseptic sampling; agar plating; bacterial storage protocols; bacterial identification and enumeration; monitoring of bacterial productivity; culture and maintenance of anaerobic bacteria; biochemical diagnostics; working within Biosafety Levels and biohazard management.
- Experience of protocol development.
- Excellent communication skills, written and verbal.
- High standards of record keeping and report writing.
- Proficient and confident in the use of Information Technology and a good working knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

**What’s in it for you**:

- Annual performance based bonus
- 33 days holiday per annum (including bank holidays)
- Private Medical Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Opportunities to learn and develop skills
- To be part of something “World changing.”

**Salary**: £35,000.00-£44,000.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Company events
- Company pension
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Private medical insurance
- Sick pay

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

Supplemental pay types:

- Bonus scheme

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Edinburgh: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

**Education**:

- Master's (preferred)

Work Location: In person