Ice Cream Microbiologist

Job Title: Ice Cream Microbiologist

Location: Colworth Science Park

JOB PURPOSE

Ensuring that The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC) products are safe to consume is of paramount importance for the business. The Global Scientific Affairs function, which is part of RD&I, brings together Food Safety, Regulatory Affairs and Nutrition expertise to ensure that TMICC products are safe-by-design and compliant with relevant regulations & nutrition requirements. As well as protecting the business, the Scientific Affairs function is also key to unlocking innovations to enable business growth. One of such functions is the Global RD&I Microbiology team.

Global RD&I Microbiology is an agile team of enthusiastic world-class scientists who deliver business relevant microbiological solutions underpinning brand innovation programmes, based on scientific and technological capabilities across RD&I and Supply Chain (SC). The strength of the team lies in the integration of microbiological and processing knowledge for RD&I to develop safe/stable formulation & process designs to deliver winning products.

The Ice Cream Microbiologist will work in the Global RD&I Microbiology team delivering up-front microbiological solutions and security across our RD&I innovation portfolio and business operations, supporting iconic brands such as Magnum, Cornetto and Ben & Jerry’s. This is a critical business need as robust data-driven microbiological support: (1) provides the unlock to maximise value from data (faster and sustainable innovation, incident prevention and mitigation, cost efficiencies), (2) provides a solid basis to perform microbiological risk assessments and (3) enables the business to deliver better for you and planet products.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Working as an integral member of our enthusiastic team of microbiologists, you will play a key role in supporting new products and processes development projects in RD&I and providing microbiological support to our global business operations.

Main responsibilities include:

• Support the Microbiological Clearance testing of ice cream products prepared at Colworth site.
• Preparing cultures of microorganisms required for experiments and for the maintenance of the Culture Collection.
• Identify and apply microbiological laboratory experiments to ensure correct and reliable data are provided for microbiological risk assessment and incident support.
• Ensure end-to-end quality in microbiology science-based data support, from design of experiments, followed by execution, basic (statistical) data analysis and visualisation, presentation, and reporting to relevant stakeholders.
• Conduct science based literature search from a variety of sources contributing to safety, shelf-life stability and security across our R&D innovation portfolio and business operations.
• Provide technical advice and assistance to both internal and external stakeholders on microbiological specifications and methods.
• Team work in maintaining a high-quality laboratory environment and efficient working practices.
• Identify and adapt new methodologies/process/procedures enabling future fit microbiological solutions. 

ALL ABOUT YOU

• Background (minimum BSc) in Microbiology, Applied Biology, or a closely related science area.
• Preference for previous experience working in a Microbiology lab.
• Good working knowledge and practical experience with microbiological procedures, including: 

Aseptic technique Culturing range of bacteria & fungi, and following standard scientific procedures. Preparation of basic laboratory reagents/culture media and associated safe handling. Knowledge of molecular biology approaches (for example, with Next Generation Sequencing and other molecular techniques) (desirable)

• Data analysis and visualisation skills (e.g. Excel, PowerBi)
• Ability to learn and adapt to different tasks, demonstrating problem-solving skills where necessary.
• Basic working knowledge and experience of using Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook).
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral to present in multidisciplinary teams and to various stakeholders.

• Team player with flexible “we can” attitude, yet, ability to work independently and defend own science-based knowledge in front of stakeholders.

NOTES

About Unilever

Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Food, Home and Personal Care products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2 billion consumers a day. Unilever has more than 400 brands found in homes around the world, including Dove, Tresemme, Lynx, Lifebuoy, Shea Moisture, Persil, Domestos, Ben & Jerry’s, Magnum, Marmite, The Vegetarian Butcher, Graze and Pot Noodle.

Faced with the challenge of climate change and the need for human development, we want to move towards a world where everyone can live well and within the natural limits of the planet. That’s why our purpose is ‘to make sustainable living commonplace’ 

What We Offer

Not only do we offer a competitive salary and pension scheme, we also offer an annual bonus, subsidised gym membership, a discounted staff shop and shares. You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment.

Whilst the role is advertised on a full-time basis, we would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. We are a key advocate of wellbeing and offer a variety of support for our people including hubs, programmes and development opportunities. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all.

Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities and growing together for better business performance. We embrace diversity in our workforce. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We are also more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process to enable you to be present your best self. To find out more, including about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at Unilever | Unilever.

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