Microbiologist - Research and Development - Mpumalanga, South Africa - Prostaff Holdings

Prostaff Holdings

Verified Company

Mpumalanga, South Africa

1 week ago

Posted by:

Thabo Mthembu

beBee Recruiter

Description

Minimum requirements for the role:

A BSc or similar degree in Microbiology or Biotechnology or related qualification is essential for this role.
Previous experience having worked in a micro laboratory working in a research environment working on biological products such as biostimulants, biologicals and adjuvants for the agricultural industry is preferred for the role.
Knowledge on microbial nitrogen fixation and on rhizobial inoculant production and formulation is essential.
Knowledge on GLP, GMP and GDP is preferred but not essential.
Previous experience conducting research into inoculants, etc. is preferred.
Previous experience working on plant analysis is preferred.
Implementing ongoing improvements of fermentation processes, growth medium and product formulation within the microbiology laboratory.
Testing compatibility of produced inoculants with other agriculture products.
Determining the survival rate of inoculants on seed and improving on survival.
Ensuring that all laboratory equipment is calibrated and that laboratories follow GLP guidelines.
Ensuring that the fungal culture collection is maintained.
Staying up to date with new developments in the biopesticide field.
Training of Agents with respect to current and new biological products as well as fungal factory staff on general microbiology and on procedures to avoid contamination.
Liaising with Farmers and Agents to determine needs and markets for biological products.
Optimising process of wet harvesting and drying in fluidised bed dryers.
Building up extensive scientific knowledge regarding all aspect of _Bassiana_ and _m. Anisopliae_ and its use as a bioinsecticide.
Utilising current _Bassiana_ and _m. Anisopliae_ isolates in the culture collection and discovering or isolating new isolates.
Building up extensive scientific knowledge regarding _trichoderma_ and its effect on plant growth and pathogen control.
Discovering and isolating new _trichoderma _isolates from various soil and plant samples and screening for pathogen suppression and plant growth promoting capabilities.
Building up extensive scientific knowledge regarding all aspect of _bacillus_ and its use as a foliar biofungicide.
Isolating new _bacillus_ isolates and screening for pathogen suppression.
Building up extensive scientific knowledge regarding _Lilacinum_ and its effect on plant growth and nematode control.
Discovering and isolating new _Lilacinum_ isolates from soil and nematode samples and screening for nematode suppression and plant growth promoting capabilities.
Building up extensive scientific knowledge regarding other bacterial and fungal strains that can be used as bionematicides.
Performing laboratory, greenhouse and field efficacy testing of current and isolating strains as well as comparative analysis with current products on the market.
Improving current fermentation technologies e.g. reactor box design, growth medium, inoculum strength and composition, growth requirements, improvement of spore viability etc.

**Salary package, including benefits, is highly negotiable depending on experience gained.