R&D Technician​/Fermentation

Requisition : 67544
Position Type: FT Fixed Term
Workplace Arrangement: #LI-Onsite

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

The R&D Technician will support the Fermentation R&D team within the Food Protection business and work closely with scientists and other fermentation experts to ensure smooth day-to-day laboratory operations.

This is a hands-on laboratory role supporting fermentation experiments, microbiological testing, sample analysis, media preparation, and bioreactor setup. The technician will also assist scientists with experimental work, data collection, raw material and finished product testing, and general laboratory activities.

The position reports to the R&D Manager, Food Protection & Preservation – Fermentation
.

• Support R&D Scientists with daily fermentation research and laboratory activities.
• Prepare media and recipes for laboratory-scale fermentation experiments.
• Set up and support operation of laboratory-scale bioreactors.
• Collect samples at designated stages throughout the fermentation process and accurately record and process experimental data.
• Media preparation
• Serial dilutions
• Plating
• Bacterial enumeration and colony counting
• Perform basic microbiological techniques, including:
  • Media preparation
  • Serial dilutions
  • Plating
  • Bacterial enumeration and colony counting
  Analyze raw materials, in-process samples, and finished products.
• Conduct physical, chemical, microbiological, functional, and sensory testing as required.
• Use wet chemistry, instrumental, physical, and/or sensory methods to evaluate raw materials and finished products against established specifications.
• Document and communicate testing and evaluation results to the appropriate teams.
• Support laboratory operations, including ordering supplies, maintaining inventory, preparing shipments, and sending samples to other locations.
• Conduct proficiency testing within the scope of laboratory accreditations.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and ensure a clean, organized, and safe working environment.
• Use systems and software such as
  SAP, Optiva, Microsoft Excel, and other applicable laboratory or business systems
  .
• Follow all established quality, food safety, laboratory, and company procedures.
• Follow the Kerry principles of Safety First and Quality Always
  .
• Support additional R&D and laboratory activities as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in
  Food Science, Food Microbiology, Microbiology, Chemical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, Biotechnology
  , or a related scientific discipline.
• Basic knowledge of microbiology and laboratory practices.
• Understanding of aseptic techniques and microbiological testing methods.
• Ability to prepare laboratory media, perform serial dilutions, plate samples, and conduct colony counts.
• Strong attention to detail when preparing experiments, collecting samples, and recording data.
• Ability to accurately follow laboratory protocols, testing methods, and experimental procedures.
• Basic understanding of chemical and physical testing techniques.
• Good organizational and laboratory housekeeping skills.
• Ability to manage multiple laboratory activities and prioritize work.
• Strong documentation and data-entry skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and other standard computer applications.
• Ability…