Advanced Research Associate

By joining Bio-Techne, you’ll join a company with a powerful and positive purpose of enabling cutting-edge research in Life Sciences and Clinical Diagnostics. Bio-Techne, and all of its brands, provides tools for researchers to further treat and prevent disease worldwide.

Pay Range:

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Advanced Research Associate to join our Quality Control Microbiology team! The successful candidate will be responsible for performing all microbiological testing and reporting procedures with a high level of efficiency and accuracy, including bioburden and sterility testing using culture methods such as direct plating, broth inoculation, and membrane filtration.

In addition to testing products, the Advanced Research Associate will play a key role in the development and implementation of environmental monitoring programs for viable microbes, particle counts, and WFI/deionized water testing, as well as reading, analyzing, and reporting results.

The Advanced Research Associate will bring previous experience with conducting thorough investigations of out-of-specification results, method validations, new procedure development, and equipment IQ/OQ and calibrations to the team.

The Advanced Research Associate will perform general lab duties, including the sanitization of cleanrooms, stocking, and other duties as assigned. The successful candidate will have excellent attention to detail, strong organizational and multitasking skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with other departments. This role will involve presenting findings or results to external stakeholders.

The Advanced Research Associate will be responsible for training and mentoring junior staff members to ensure the highest level of quality and accuracy in all testing procedures.

This role will involve driving between the St. Paul and Minneapolis Bio-Techne sites.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Bioburden and sterility QC testing of raw materials, bulk products, and finished products using various culture methods including direct plate, broth dilution, and filter-culture. This includes culture set up, reading, and recording, as well as reporting via hard copy distribution and computer entry (PDPT) and scanning.

2. Performance, maintenance, and recording of the ongoing culture system for Hematology products.

3. Perform testing and reporting for the environmental monitoring program, which includes air, surface, particles, and DI bioburden. Collection, set-up, and reading of cultures. Perform / assist in results follow-up and troubleshooting. Issue corrective actions forms.

4. Assist with validations for equipment and testing methods in compliance with cGMP, USP, and ISO regulations.

5. Assist with efficacy / validation testing.

6. Miscellaneous administrative duties including: printing documents and making copies; revising / reviewing SOP documents; raw materials check-in.

7. General lab duties including: cleaning and maintenance of cleaning logs; biohazard disposal; temperature recording; formulation and filtering of in-house media/rinse solutions.

8. Assist with the monitoring of lab supplies and ordering.

9. Follows company policies and practices as outlined in the Handbook and follows guidelines regarding safety as outlined in the AWAIR, Chemical Hygiene and Exposure Control manuals in accordance to the job.

10. Performs additional duties as assigned.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Position requires a B.S. degree in Microbiology or a related field or equivalent, with a minimum of 2-4 years microbiology lab experience. Attention to detail, organization, data analysis and problem-solving skills are required. Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel are required. Computer entry and/or typing skills are desirable. Must be able to work in a fast pace environment, multi task, and have good communication skills, both verbally and in writing.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of basic computers and Microsoft Word and Excel.

2. Knowledge and skills pertaining to laboratory equipment.

3. Knowledge of microbiology culture procedures. Ability to learn and consistently execute laboratory tasks, using excellent aseptic technique.

4. Skills in problem solving; including the ability to identify and appropriately evaluate a course of action.

5. Ability to act independently on routine assignments or projects.

6. Ability to plan, organize and multi-task to complete assignments in an efficient manner.

7. Skill in establishing effective inter- and intra-department relationships and be able to determine the appropriate actions to be taken with incoming samples and assist submitting personnel in a professional manner.

8. Ability to