Full job description
Home Brew Live Feeds is seeking an enthusiastic, motivated, self-starting Staff Biologist to oversee a variety of exciting product developments in the aquarium and aquaculture industries, with emphasis on current and future productions of products, laboratory analysis of samples, and other duties as required. The position is located at the Home Brew Live Feeds production site located at 522 W. Harwood Rd. Hurst, Texas 76054. Relocation stipends are available.
Position Overview:
Primary duties will include:
- Oversee all phytoplankton/bacterial plankton and zooplankton productions, maintain all platonic cultures, execution of laboratory experiments, data recording and electronic data entry and/or data proofing, batch sample procurement and storage
- Maintaining or installing scientific equipment, analysis and operation of scientific equipment, maintaining stored platonic cultures for continued viability
- Self-training on and operation of a variety of laboratory equipment, if not familiar, including regular maintenance and calibration of all lab equipment
- Product experimentation, formulation tuning, product development
- Weekly development of laboratory plan for scale up, submission of plan to management
- Additional activities may include:
- Part-time retail coverage may be required
- Assistance and participation in company special events
- Posting interesting content on the companies’ social media channels
- Other duties and activities as assigned
- To execute the above duties and activities, the employee will be responsible for:
- Maintaining proper laboratory techniques for the handling, storage and analysis of chemicals, cultures, samples and other laboratory materials
- Following established protocols and procedures and delivering input and developing future beneficial protocols and procedures
- Lifting moderately heavy objects and operating basic power tools
- Possibility of working beyond normal business hours and/or work on weekends as required by product research projects or culture maintenance
- Preparation, maintenance and calibration of instrumentation
- Cleaning of laboratory glassware and equipment and general laboratory maintenance, cleaning and sanitization
Where needed, training will be provided to execute activities and duties listed above. All employees must comply with the requirements outlined by Home Brew Live Feeds Employee Policy Manual.
Skills and Qualifications:
- Valid driver’s license
- Baccalaureate degree (BS) in biology, aquatic ecology, marine science, aquaculture or a related field
- Preferred to have related experience in either oyster farming (specifically in phytoplankton culturing), or directly in the phytoplankton scope
- At least 6-months experience with basic laboratory skills and equipment (microscope, balance, pipettes, etc)
- Experience with phytoplankton enumeration and taxonomy, a plus
- General bacteria/ amoeba taxonomy identification skills
- Experience operating and maintaining flow cytometers
- Familiarity with standard computer software (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
- Ability to work self-guided for the best benefit of the company
- Ability to occasionally work longer hours when needed, keeping the cultures well-being as top priority
- Candidate should have good communication skills and be able to maintain a high level of work quality and accuracy. Public speaking would be a bonus, if so needed to educate end users on social media or at a speaking engagement
Desired Skills:
Preference may be given to candidates with working knowledge and experience with any of the following: phytoplankton/zooplankton culture, microbiology experience
Working Conditions & Benefits:
This is a salary, full-time, 40-50 hours per week. Daily hours may vary based on need and can be modified with prior supervisor’s approval. Occasionally, longer hours may be required due to culture maintenance needs, underway experiments, and other research related efforts. Laboratory equipment/environment is not high tech or beautiful but is functional for company purposes and biosecurity. Input for additional needed equipment is welcomed, however may not be purchased until company sees fit.
Annual salary range starts at $42,000 with pay commensurate with the level of experience. Annual merit increases will be considered with appropriate work performance and production of products. Benefits include paid vacation leave that can be used for for holidays, illness, or vacation, employee discount to sister retail company, opportunity to be a Co-Principal Investigator for a federal grant and be co-published alongside three PhD team members on developing a novel new product. Position is not dependent on any grant, therefore the position is permanent.
Success Factors:
Success in this position will be determined by the ability of the employee to execute assigned duties to a sufficient level to consistently produce valid and accurate data and consistent products, always working to gain additional skills, and developing the ability to work independently while maintaining a high level of quality.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $42,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- On-the-job training
- Paid time off
- Relocation assistance
Schedule:
- 10 hour shift
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed
Experience:
- Labratory/Microbiology: 1 year (Required)
- phytoplankton specific: 1 year (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- Hurst, TX 76054 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Hurst, TX 76054: Relocate with an employer provided relocation package (Required)
Work Location: In person
