At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of bioinsecticides from microbial strains, turning lab discoveries into real-world solutions.
- Company: Join BugBiome, a pioneering company harnessing nature to create sustainable crop protection products.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible hours, 25 days holiday, pension, share options, and team socials.
- Other info: Located at Norwich Research Park; must have UK work authorization.
- Why this job: Be part of a hands-on start-up culture with a diverse team making a positive environmental impact.
- Qualifications: MSc in Microbiology or related field with 3+ years experience; PhD preferred.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
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Job Title: Formulation Microbiologist – Bioinsecticide Product Development
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent, with standard 6-month probation
Salary: £35,000 - £45,000 annually (based on experience) + pension, benefits, and generous share options
Application Deadline: Applications reviewed on a rolling basis, early submissions encouraged, deadline Monday 2 nd June 2025.
Start Date: August 2025 (some flexibility)
NO RECRUITERS FOR THIS POSITION
Company Overview
BugBiome is developing bioinsecticides derived from the crop microbiome. We isolate and characterise beneficial microbes, screening them for natural insecticidal properties. Our products harness the power of nature to protect crops from pests sustainably and effectively.
Role Summary
We\'re looking for a formulation-focused microbiologist to lead the development of insecticidal microbial strains into scalable, stable, and trial-ready products. This is a hands-on role for someone with a strong track record in microbe-based formulations for agriculture or biotech, who’s eager to translate lab discoveries into real-world solutions. You\'ll take promising microbial candidates and turn them into field-ready bioinsecticides. You’ll need to be highly independent, process-driven, and confident in documenting and iterating your work.
Key Responsibilities
●Microbial Strain Production: Scale up microbial strains with insecticidal activity using liquid or solid-state fermentation, optimizing growth conditions for consistency and yield.
●Active Component Isolation and Characterization: Isolate and identify key active components: metabolites, extracts, or cellular material (live or inactivated) driving insecticidal effects.
●Formulation Development and Optimisation: Design and optimize liquid, solid, and other formulations to enhance product stability, field performance, and reproducibility of active ingredient yield.
●Experimental Design & Testing: Plan and execute greenhouse and field trials to evaluate product efficacy and suitability under real-world conditions including collaborations with CROs.
●Process Documentation: Create, refine, and maintain SOPs to support reproducibility, scalability, and compliance across the development pipeline.
●Quality Control: Perform basic QC and consistency checks to ensure formulation reliability and batch-to-batch uniformity.
●Team Development: Contribute to the training and support of junior scientists, with the potential to take on mentorship and leadership responsibilities as the team grows.
Required Skills and Experience
●Education: MSc in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Plant Sciences, or related field with 3+ years of relevant experience (BSc with significant experience considered).
●Proven ability to independently scale up microbial cultures and develop downstream processes
●Strong preference given to candidates with experience working with extracts and metabolite profiling for identifying active components
●Strong preference given to candidates with formulation, extract stabilisation, or fermentation-to-field experience
●Demonstrated experience translating microbial strains into stable, field-appropriate formats (liquid, powder, or encapsulated)
●Familiarity with quality control and reproducibility best practices
●Strong SOP writing and documentation skills
●Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills, capable of presenting complex findings to scientific and non-scientific audiences.
●Technical Proficiency: Skilled in data analysis, experimental design, and interpretation.
●PhD in Microbiology or a related discipline.
●Experience developing biopesticides or crop protection products.
●Experience working with Bacillus species, entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs), or microbial biocontrol agents in an agri-biotech or biostimulant setting.
●Practical experience working with plants in laboratory, greenhouse, or field conditions.
● Hands-on experience working with insects and other crop pests
Why BugBiome?
●Culture: Hands on start-up environment with a diverse, driven team.
●Facilities: Greenhouse facilities and labs within Norwich Research Park.
●Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days holiday (+bank holidays), flexible hours, pension, share options, and monthly team socials.
Diversity Statement
BugBiome is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a fair, inclusive recruitment process. Let us know if you have any special requirements. Location: Norwich Research Park, UK ( NR4 7UG ). Must have UK work authorization; unfortunately, we cannot sponsor visas.
Application Process
To apply, please email the following documents to alicia@bugbiome.com with the subject line: \"Application for Formulation Microbiologist Role\"
1)Cover Letter: Summarise your suitability for the role and explain why you\'re excited to join BugBiome.
2)CV: A maximum of 2 pages outlining your relevant experience and education.
3)Project Summary: A 1-page document describing a microbial formulation project you\'ve led or contributed to. Include the project goal, approach taken (e.g. extract, spore, encapsulated product), and key outcomes or lessons learned.
NO RECRUITERS
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#J-18808-LjbffrFormulation Microbiologist – Bioinsecticide Product Development in Norwich employer: BugBiome
At BugBiome, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic start-up environment where innovation thrives. Located within the renowned Norwich Research Park, our team enjoys competitive salaries, flexible working hours, and generous benefits including share options and 25 days of holiday. We foster a culture of collaboration and growth, providing ample opportunities for professional development and mentorship in the exciting field of bioinsecticide product development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Formulation Microbiologist – Bioinsecticide Product Development in Norwich
✨Get Involved in Local Research Communities
Tap into local biotechnology meetups and research forums. These are great places to mingle with industry professionals, share your passion, and even discover unadvertised job openings. It's all about getting your face known in the field!
✨Leverage University Alumni Networks
If you're a recent grad, don’t underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network! Reach out to alumni working in biotechnology to gather tips about job openings at companies like BugBiome. You'd be surprised how willing people are to help out a fellow grad!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Curate a portfolio showcasing any research projects or internships you've completed in biotechnology. This tangible evidence of your skills can really impress employers when you chat with them at networking events or interviews. It's about making that killer first impression!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Biotech is a fast-paced field, so keeping yourself updated with the latest advancements is crucial. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or workshops to broaden your knowledge and meet potential employers. Plus, it’ll give you fantastic talking points for your interviews at places like BugBiome!
We think you need these skills to ace Formulation Microbiologist – Bioinsecticide Product Development in Norwich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:In the biotechnology field, it's super important to highlight your lab experience in your CV. Be sure to mention specific techniques or instruments you've mastered (think PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show BugBiome that you have the hands-on skills they need.
Tailor Your Technical Skills:Make sure to emphasise your technical skills, especially those relevant to the biotechnology sector. Include any software tools or programming languages you've used, like R or Python for data analysis, which could be key for this role at BugBiome.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time role, your cover letter should reflect not only your passion for biotechnology but also your long-term career ambitions. Share why you're excited about the work that BugBiome does and how you envision contributing to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but you're genuinely invested in this opportunity.
Include Your Papers and Projects:If you've published any papers or contributed to significant projects, mention them! These documents can boost your application and provide tangible evidence of your expertise in the biotechnology field. Don’t forget to link to any relevant publications or project summaries—this can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at BugBiome
✨Brush Up on Lab Techniques
Since you're eyeing a full-time gig in biotechnology, make sure you're well-versed in the lab techniques relevant to the role. Be ready to talk about PCR, CRISPR, or any specific methods mentioned in the job description at BugBiome. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.
✨Know Your Bioinformatics Tools
Get comfortable with bioinformatics tools that are commonly used in the industry, like BLAST or Bioconductor. These are key in biotechnology, and having hands-on experience or at least familiarity can set you apart. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially if they involved data analysis or genomic research.
✨Show Your Teamwork Skills
Biotech often involves collaboration across multiple disciplines. Be ready to share stories that highlight your teamwork and communication skills, especially in research projects. Think about working with different teams at university or any internships – this is where you can show how well you fit into BugBiome's culture.
✨Research Recent Biotech Innovations
Stay updated on the latest trends and breakthroughs in biotechnology. Knowing what's happening in the field can help you engage in more meaningful discussions during your interview. Bring up recent articles or advancements that excite you, especially those related to the work being done at BugBiome. This shows your passion for the industry!
