PRESERVATION AND APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY INDUSTRIAL MICROBIOLOGIST

Please Note: The deadline for applying is 23.59 the day before the job posting end date.

Job Title: PRESERVATION AND APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY INDUSTRIAL MICROBIOLOGIST

Location: Port Sunlight R&D

Work-Level: WL1RH3

JOB PURPOSE

Unilever is a global leader in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods industry, renowned for its powerful brands such as Dove, Axe, Magnum, Lipton, Vaseline, Suave, and Ben & Jerry’s. We develop products that enhance and improve people's lives today while also addressing the evolving environmental challenges of tomorrow, with the goal of making sustainable living a common practice. Unilever is dedicated to bringing purpose, joy, and delightful experiences to both consumers and customers.

We are looking for an Industrial Microbiologist who will be responsible to support the B&W, HC and PC business in ensuring products of today and the future are microbiologically safe by design. The successful candidate would also support with the evaluation and testing manufacturing microbial capabilities.

The purpose of the Microbiology preservation team is to provide a global technical expertise centre to support the Global Design and Deploy business in partnership with regional sister laboratories in other parts of the world. Microbiological expertise is provided on formulation and process design, microbiological methods and supply chain hygiene. A further aim is to drive operational efficiencies and global ways of working with our sister laboratories

Key interfaces for this role include the Global Microbiology teams, R&D Formulation team, Science & Technology team, Global Quality, Digital R&D, Supply Chain Procurement, SERS, Chemical Suppliers, and 3P Measurement Laboratories. These interfaces are essential for ensuring effective collaboration and communication across various departments and external partners, facilitating the safe by design development and management of raw material and finished products.

The role also encompasses laboratory-based work to perform Microbial testing and developing new methodologies for R&D and SC. The role involves travel between the R&D PSL site and MIF facility in Liverpool University. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Works on projects and activities for B&W, PC and HC products preservation.
• Member of the Global Preservation and Applied microbiology Skill Base.
• Trial and delivers experimental data to support insights, techniques and technologies for improvements in manufacturing microbiology/hygiene, cleaning, microbiological safety.
• Execution of practical work/tests/trials at laboratory scale.
• Work on projects for the End-to-End pillar of Preservation 2.0 strategic programme. 

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Design and perform practical work to evaluate preservative efficacy and ad hoc testing for B&W, PC and HC products.
• Data capture – ensure all data is generated and logged using the latest digital tools available for B&W, PC and HC products.
• Coordinate the evaluation of existing and new preservation technologies across B&W, PC and HC to ensure products are safe by design from a formulation/preservation and processing perspective, working as part of multi-disciplinary project team
• Sample administration, Data review & knowledge gathering B&W, PC and HC products.
• Microbiological analysis of B&W, PC and HC products through third party or by performing testing.
• Performing laboratory testing for microbiology methods like Challenge test, TVC, Gram staining.
• Contribute to the practical aspects of the scientific component of the Microbiology skill-base.
• Set up experiments and perform practical work for manufacturing microbiology hygiene.

ABOUT YOU

• Educational Background: A degree in Microbiology/Bioscience  
• Experience: Previous experience in Microbiology methods, Experimental design capability, Basic Microbiology and Laboratory Techniques, Microbiology identification methods

• Skills: Strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in IT programmes such as Excel, Word, and Outlook.

Previous roles in biosciences, microbiology. Degree level or equivalent academic background in Life science/biological is optimal.

YOUR PERSONAL QUALITIES

• Analytical Thinking: Ability to analyse and interpret complex data related to raw materials.
• Collaboration: Strong ability to work collaboratively with suppliers and internal teams.
• Organisational Skills: Excellent organisational skills to manage and maintain detailed records and documentation.

• Pro-active mind-set: Keen to demonstrate delivery and seek pragmatic solutions with an ability to set priorities and to work to tight deadlines

NOTES

About Unilever

Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Food, Home and Personal Care products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2 billion consumers a day. Unilever has more than 400 brands found in homes around the world, including Dove, Tresemme, Lynx, Lifebuoy, Shea Moisture, Persil, Domestos, Ben & Jerry’s, Magnum, Marmite, The Vegetarian Butcher, Graze and Pot Noodle.

Faced with the challenge of climate change and the need for human development, we want to move towards a world where everyone can live well and within the natural limits of the planet. That’s why our purpose is ‘to make sustainable living commonplace’  

What We Offer

Not only do we offer a competitive salary and pension scheme, we also offer an annual bonus, subsidised gym membership, a discounted staff shop and shares. You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment.

Whilst the role is advertised on a full-time basis, we would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. We are a key advocate of wellbeing and offer a variety of support for our people including hubs, programmes and development opportunities. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all. 

Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities and growing together for better business performance. We embrace diversity in our workforce. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We are also more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process to enable you to be present your best self. To find out more, including about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at Unilever | Unilever.

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