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
