Senior Microbiologist

To apply, email your resume to recruiting@ancera.com, with the position title in the subject line .

Location: Branford, CT, Job Type: Full-time, Work Environment: Research Laboratory and shared workspace.

Ancera is currently looking for an experienced Senior Microbiologist to help lead the development of Ancera's next-generation diagnostic assays and matrix extensions in our Applied Research laboratory. This role will report to Ancera's Manager of Applied Research & Laboratory Services. Prior experience working with pathogens and spoilage organisms common in the poultry industry is required

Ancera is a pioneer in the development and commercialization of Microbial Security products. Ancera's flagship PIPER platform is the fastest microbial quantification and characterization solution across the food, agriculture, and livestock supply chains.

Powered by patented MagDrive technology, PIPER generates pathogen and microbiome data in hours instead of weeks. The PIPER analytics engine aggregates microbial data in an operational context. This enables verifiable chain of custody and microbial risk assessment at each point in the supply chain.

Our motto: Microbes as Metrics.

Responsibilities:

Develop new and adapt existing methods for capture and detection of microorganisms & parasites from complex food and environmental samples on Ancera's PIPER platform.

Develop and implement continuous improvements to improve assay sensitivity, specificity, workflow, and robustness.

Effectively communicate with colleagues and stakeholders; create and present research updates and provide strategic input to team/company meetings.

Develop QC methods for the assays and write SOPs.

Oversee research associates and junior scientists in designing experiments, conducting experiments, analyzing data, and presenting data.

Qualifications:

Education/Experience:

PhD in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Food Science, or a related discipline with bench experience with BSL-2 or above. In lieu of PhD, MS with significant & directly applicable industry experience will be considered.

Minimum four (4) years of bench experience in an applied research setting in the food safety, environmental, poultry processing, or microbial analysis sectors.

Preferred:

Prior experience in an accredited testing laboratory, especially with QA/QC experience.

Management experience, especially with a demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams to completion of projects on tight deadlines.

Prior industry experience in a growth-stage biotech or pharma company very desirable

Technical Skills:

Strong technical and scientific background in current food pathogen test methods or equivalent work.

Highly skilled at standard microbiology, molecular biology, genomics, and/or immunoassay techniques.

Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot, optimize, and validate testing without supervision.

Experience maintaining a diverse library of microbial organisms (e.g., bacteria, parasites).

Experience running standard antibody-based and molecular biological assays.

Commitment to laboratory safety and compliance with all associated rules, regulations, and guidelines

Training and experience handling pathogenic bacteria in a biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) environment or above is required.

Effectively communicate issues and results that impact timelines, accuracy, and reliability of laboratory data to senior management.

Ability to work as a member of an interdisciplinary developmental team is essential.

Experience with classical microbiology, pathogen detection, and/or food safety is preferred.

Personality & Cultural Fit:

Self-motivated with ability to work independently and communicate with senior management.

Progress before perfection - action-oriented, ownership-minded individual looking to build and improve a start-up finance function step-by-step.

Together, not alone - willing to work beyond traditional accounting boundaries to do whatever it takes to support other team members and ensure company success. Rally behind and build up others in an environment with very intelligent, accomplished science and engineering professionals.

Persist and adapt - expect and embrace change and challenges in a start-up environment.

15 Commercial Street, Branford, CT 06405

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