Culture Collection – Microbiology / Research Associate

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Position Overview

Culture Collection – Microbiology / Research Associate

The role will primarily involve the collection of microbial samples from mangrove ecosystems, isolation and cultivation of microorganisms, characterization of microbial strains, and establishment of a well-documented microbial culture collection.

The candidate will support research and development activities focused on identifying and evaluating microorganisms with potential applications in marine biotechnology and the development of value-added products. The role will involve working across different microbial groups and product opportunities as the R&D program evolves.

Key Responsibilities

Field Sampling & Sample Management

• Plan and conduct microbial sampling from mangrove ecosystems and associated coastal environments.
• Collect samples from diverse environmental niches, including water, sediment, mangrove soil, roots, plant-associated environments, and other relevant sources.
• Develop appropriate sampling strategies to capture microbial diversity across different marine, coastal, and mangrove environmental conditions.
• Ensure proper sample collection, labeling, preservation, transportation, and documentation.
• Maintain detailed records of sampling locations, environmental conditions, sample types, and associated metadata.
• Undertake fieldwork in mangrove and coastal environments as required.

Microbial Isolation & Cultivation

• Process marine and mangrove-associated samples using appropriate microbiological techniques for the isolation and cultivation of microorganisms.
• Perform enrichment, serial dilution, plating, purification, sub-culturing, and maintenance of microbial isolates.
• Develop and optimize culture media and growth conditions for marine and mangrove-associated microorganisms.
• Apply appropriate selective and differential isolation techniques to recover diverse microbial cultures.
• Maintain pure cultures using appropriate aseptic techniques.
• Establish, maintain, and organize a microbial culture collection.

Strain Characterization & Identification

• Perform preliminary morphological, physiological, biochemical, and cultural characterization of microbial isolates.
• Document microbial growth characteristics and other relevant phenotypic properties.
• Support molecular identification of selected isolates using techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis.
• Maintain accurate strain-level records and ensure traceability from sample collection through isolation and preservation.
• Identify and prioritize microbial isolates with potential for further research and development.

Microbial Screening & Bioprospecting

• Support screening and evaluation of microbial isolates for potentially valuable biological properties and metabolites.
• Develop and implement appropriate preliminary screening methods based on research objectives.
• Evaluate microbial isolates for their potential across different areas of marine biotechnology and product development.
• Support the identification of promising strains for further characterization and process development.
• Adapt screening approaches as new research and product opportunities emerge.

Culture Preservation & Repository Management

• Develop and follow appropriate protocols for microbial culture preservation and maintenance.
• Ensure the purity, viability, and identity of preserved cultures.
• Maintain culture inventories and associated documentation.
• Establish appropriate systems for strain coding, tracking, storage, and retrieval.

Research & Development Support

• Contribute to research involving marine and mangrove-associated microorganisms.
• Support downstream studies involving microbial growth optimization, metabolite production, fermentation, extraction, and characterization, as required.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams involved in microbiology, biotechnology, analytical science, and product development.
• Maintain laboratory records, experimental data, SOPs, and technical documentation.
• Contribute to research reports, presentations, publications, and other technical deliverables as required.

Required Qualification & Experience

• M.Sc. / Ph.D. in Marine Microbiology or a closely related discipline.
• 3–5 years of relevant experience in mangrove ecosystems and marine microbiology.
• Hands-on experience in sample collection and microbial isolation.
• Practical experience with microbial cultivation, purification, and culture maintenance.
• Strong understanding of marine microbial diversity, microbial ecology, and the distribution of microorganisms across mangrove and coastal ecosystems

Preferred Skills

• Experience with microbial sampling in mangrove, coastal, or marine environments.
• Experience in isolation and cultivation of marine microorganisms.
• Experience with enrichment and selective isolation techniques.
• Experience in microbial strain characterization and identification.
• Familiarity with molecular techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR, and sequencing.
• Experience with microbial culture preservation and strain collection management.
• Exposure to microbial screening, bioprospecting, fermentation, or metabolite characterization would be an advantage.

Key Competencies

• Strong hands-on microbiology skills.
• Good understanding of mangrove and marine ecosystems.
• Strong fieldwork and sample-handling capabilities.
• Good experimental and troubleshooting skills.
• Attention to detail and strong documentation practices.
• Ability to work independently as well as within a multidisciplinary R&D team.
• Willingness to undertake field travel and laboratory-based research.
• Strong interest in microbial discovery and marine biotechnology.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: ₹420,000.00 - ₹600,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Provident Fund

Application Question(s):

• Are you currently located in or willing to relocate to Trivandrum?
• How many years of post-PhD or relevant research/industry experience do you have?
• What is your current CTC and expected CTC?
• What is your notice period or earliest joining availability?
• Do you hold a Ph.D. in Microbiology, Biotechnology, or a related Life Sciences field? If yes, please specify your specialization.
• Do you have hands-on experience in microbial culture, isolation, and characterization?
• Do you have practical experience collecting and processing microbial samples from mangrove, coastal, marine, or other environmental ecosystems?

Work Location: In person