Microbiology Lab Technician – Nutrition

UNILEVER IS LOOKING FOR A MICROBIOLOGY LAB TECHNICIAN – FOODS

Location: Wageningen, Hive, The Netherlands

Full-time

Local conditions apply

Travel: 5%

Salary indication: Euro 3100 – Euro 4000 per month (without holiday allowance)

For the recruitment of this position, we would like to emphasize that local conditions apply to the position and for this vacancy in principle we will first consider candidates based in the Netherlands. If you are based outside of the Netherlands and you are interested to apply, please feel free to do so but we can only take your application on if a decision is made to also recruit outside of the Netherlands.

JOB PURPOSE:

The Science & Technology (S&T) team in the Foods business group is an agile team of enthusiastic world-class scientists who deliver business relevant solutions underpinning brand innovation programs, based on scientific and technological capabilities. One such key capability is Microbiology, accountable for the delivery of microbiological solutions across R&D and Supply Chain (SC). The strength of the team lies in the integration of microbiological and processing knowledge for R&D to develop safe/stable formulation & process designs to deliver winning products.

As a Microbiology Lab Technician, you will work in the microbiology team delivering up-front solutions and security across our R&D innovation portfolio and business operations, supporting iconic brands such as Lipton, Hellmann’s and Knorr. Science-driven microbiological support is a critical business need as it: (1) provides the unlock for faster and sustainable innovation, incident prevention and mitigation (2) provides a solid basis to perform microbiological risk assessments and (3) enables the business to deliver better for you and better for the planet products.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Working as an integral member of our enthusiastic team of microbiologists, you will play a key role in supporting the team with maintaining the culture collection, supporting sample clearance and practical lab studies for new products and processes development projects in R&D. You ensure end-to-end quality in microbiology science-based support, including data analysis and visualization, interpretation & presentation, and reporting to the team.

Main responsibilities include:

• Daily start-up of laboratory equipment, setting up and performing lab analyses (e.g. melting/preparing media, diluents, autoclaving).

• Support Microbiological Clearance of pilot plant samples prepared at Hive.

• Ordering Microbiological media and consumables.

• Assisting with the confirmation, recording, and reporting of results.

• Preparing cultures of microorganisms required for experiments and for the maintenance of the Culture Collection.

• Arranging microbiological stain identifications with external suppliers.

• Assist Microbiologists on performing microbiological laboratory experiments to ensure correct and reliable data are provided for microbiological risk assessment and incident support.

• Teamwork in maintaining a high-quality laboratory environment and efficient working practices.

• Keeping the laboratories and workspaces clean and organized, supporting the activities required to maintain a high-quality standard of the analyses and work.

ALL ABOUT YOU

• MLO or HBO (intermediate- or higher laboratory education, Microbiology), preference for previous experience supporting a Microbiology lab in a food industry context.

• Good working knowledge and experience of microbiological procedures including:

  • aseptic techniques

  • culturing bacteria and/or fungi

  • classical microbiology (e.g. dilutions, pour plate, spread plate, enrichments),

  • use of single and multichannel pipettes, safety cabinets, autoclave, etc.

  • preparation of basic laboratory reagents and culture media

  • following standard scientific procedures, international standards (ISO) and associated safe handling

• Ability to work independently under the guidance of a Microbiologist.

• Ability to learn and adapt to the different tasks where appropriate, demonstrating an ability to problem-solving where necessary.

• Basic working knowledge and experience of using Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) and LIMS. More extensive digital skills would be a plus.

• Good communication skills, both written and oral.

WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?

Unilever is the place where you can be yourself and bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. We offer an exciting & dynamic work environment where you can make things happen. Furthermore, we offer some great reward and benefits!

• Attractive total remuneration package; excellent company pension, bonus, share scheme.

• Flexible cross-disciplinary career opportunities and a wealth of training opportunities & wellbeing resources whenever and wherever.

• Plenty of company-paid holidays to further ensure your work-life balance is maintained.

• We encourage an inclusive culture, which comes to life with interchangeable public holidays, paid paternity leave of 6 weeks and our transgender policy.

• Under the Hybrid Working principles, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 40%-60% in the office or at customers, suppliers or partners to connect and collaborate. For the time you work from home, we will ensure you are well equipped. When you are at the office , you can enjoy our tasty canteen with prepped food.

• Informal culture and being the first one trying our new products.

• My Fitness Plan (reduction on your Fitness Subscription).

• Home work allowance

• Company laptop and mobile phone

• Green Mobility Policy.

EXCITED?

Join Unilever and our team! To apply, you must do so online. Please do not forget to upload your CV and a motivation letter. Your application will be reviewed against our requirements and we will be in touch shortly after the closing date to provide you with an update on the status of your application.

Looking forward to meeting you!

Please note this is a Direct Search led by Unilever. Applications from agencies will not be accepted, nor will fees be paid for unsolicited CVs.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, disability, age, parenthood, pregnancy or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against.

By highlighting the gender diversity at the workplace, Unilever encourages women equally men to apply. If you look for a job after a long career break or after any type of leave, do not hesitate to apply.

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