MiAlgae applies leading advances in science and technology to improve food security and reduce the impact of humanity on the planet.
The company aims to eliminate reliance on wild-caught fish as a source of Omega-3 by harnessing the potential of microalgae as a sustainable and rich alternative source. MiAlgae’s zero-waste solution recycles co-products from food and drink production to grow Omega-3 rich microalgae, returning clean water in the process.
Reporting directly to the Production Lab Supervisor, you will work as a key part of the MiAlgae Production Team, contributing towards the successful commercialisation of the company’s Omega-3 product and development of future products.
The core aspect of this role will be to ensure efficient planning and execution of day-to-day tasks within the Production Laboratory, and associated activities relating to this in other areas of the site, to fulfil required Inoculum and Site pieces throughput to fulfil Production targets and wider Business goals.
The role will require you to support the Production Team with laboratory upkeep, ensuring steady production of axenic inoculum cultures and autoclaved site pieces for use at the Demonstrator Site according to Production schedules and demands to ensure production workflow is maintained. The position will require you to work flexibly, often independently and within a fast-paced and demanding environment, prioritising work requirements which can change regularly.
Duties
* Effectively produce adequate Lab scale inoculums to timescales to meet demands set by Site Manager and Head of Production, under guidance from Production Lab Supervisor, to facilitate production at scale on the Demo Site.
* Effectively communicate day-to-day with Production Lab Supervisor to highlight any concerns regarding workload, demands or any issues that require practical support to enable fulfilment of all key tasks.
* Production of axenic algal cultures following SOP’s and using strict sterile culturing and fermentation methods ensuring effective co-ordination with QC Department for routine contamination testing and results feedback through all stages.
* Work in conjunction with production site team to facilitate rolling stock availability of laboratory prepared sterile Demo Site pieces, assembled to specification and to meet demands of production schedules.
* Ensuring timely completion of and compliance is maintained for all associated paperwork and documentation.
* Ensure all activities in the lab and surrounding external work areas comply with Health & Safety protocols, using provided PPE and handling guidelines (especially related to use of Chemicals and heavy lifting) and any Incidents or Accidents reported to the H&S Representative.
* Ensure all equipment is kept in good, clean working order & if any found to be faulty or not working to report to the Production Lab Supervisor immediately.
* Proactively investigate and propose ways to improve processes and procedures of benefit to not only the Production Lab but site wide.
* Conform to stringent standard operating procedures to reliably create replicable, high quality, Inoculums with an ongoing high percentage success rate of non-contamination.
* Ensure regular general laboratory upkeep and cleaning tasks to ensure an organised functional and clean environment.
* Ensure efficient stock control of Lab consumables adopting regular stock checks, ordering through our internal electronic order system and highlighting any issues with Production Lab Supervisor to ensure continuity of key tasks is maintained.
* Contribute to the upkeep and development of Production Lab procedures, carrying out administrative duties including reviewing /creating, SOPS, and risk assessments using our online QMS platform.
* Facilitate the training of supporting laboratory staff and students where necessary.
* Assist (or facilitate the consumables) for other departments (Tech Transfer, Quality, R&D, Engineering) to produce non-standard inoculums or site pieces to enable running of Projects or Trials being aware that maintaining Production tasks as a priority.
* Support the Production Lab Supervisor and / or Site Manager with additional ad-hoc tasks or projects, especially those contributing to the ongoing growth and development of the company and improvement and implementation of site processes and procedures.
* Attend any training on or offsite as and when required ensuring that production Lab priorities are not compromised.
About You
We are seeking driven individuals with a flexible approach to work, can help meet a growing demand, provide holiday/absence cover and who are keen to make their mark within a rapidly growing award-winning biotechnology scale-up company.
The ideal candidate will be able to work on weekends (Sat & Sun 08:00-15:30) and have relevant experience working in a production environment and have an interest in documentation control processes.
You will be an organised person with the ability to forecast ahead and efficiently plan laboratory output requirements based on working patterns within the production site. With a proven record for time management, communication, and organisation skills, you will have the ability to run a fast-paced production laboratory through careful planning with inbuilt flexibility and adaptability. It is essential that you have a positive ‘can do’ approach, are driven and have a desire in seeing the use of biotechnology for the benefit of the environment.
You will be able to work both as part of a wider team and also for significant periods of time on your own with minimum or no supervision.
You should have basic knowledge of quality principles (ISO9001, ISO14001, GMP and HACCP) and be able to enforce established production and quality processes within the laboratory in which you work.
You will have a keen eye for detail within documentation and enjoy aspects of quality control and process improvement. You will be able to effectively plan your time well, with daily demands from both production laboratory practical and documentation demands.
Experience
Required:
* Proven experience working within a fast-paced production environment.
* Relevant industrial experience (preferred), or collaborative industry-led process experience, with a focus on continuous improvement.
* Full, clean driving licence (independent travel to and from a remote demonstrator site is required).
* Strong problem-solving and organisational skills, with ability to progress through both scientific problems and scheduling demands.
* Experience of writing and reviewing SOPS, COSHH and risk assessments.
* Knowledge in documentation management and documentation control processes.
* Experience in process improvement, specifically with respect to improving good documentation practices and organisation.
* Experience of training/mentoring junior staff and / or students.
* Ability to communicate clearly and concisely to different levels of staff (from students to senior management).
Preferred:
* Understanding of fermentation.
* Knowledge of axenic culture creation and maintenance.
* Knowledge of quality control principles.
* Knowledge of quality management principles.
Details
Timeframe: Full-time – 35 hours. Working Hours: Saturday/Sunday: 08:00 -15:30, Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday: 10:00 - 17:30
Location: Based at MiAlgae’s demonstrator site in Balfron, Stirlingshire.
Culture
MiAlgae is a fast-growing, people-oriented scale-up which strives to deliver company-wide goals through an inclusive and collaborative team approach. We are a friendly and positive team with a real sense of purpose and pull together to achieve our goals.
* 32 days holiday entitlement.
* Additional annual leave per complete year of service – up to 5 additional days.
* Flexible working opportunities.
* Discretionary performance-based annual bonus programme.
* Excellent training – bespoke to you and your development needs.
* Cycle to work and electric car schemes.
* Free parking on site.
* Company contribution to gym membership.
* 5% company contribution to pension.
* Enhanced sick leave allowance.
* Social events, and more.
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