Production Lab Technician

Company Profile

MiAlgae applies leading advances in science and technology to improve food security and reduce the impact of humanity on the planet.

The company aims to eliminate reliance on wild-caught fish as a source of Omega-3 by harnessing the potential of microalgae as a sustainable and rich alternative source. MiAlgae’s zero-waste solution recycles co-products from food and drink production to grow Omega-3 rich microalgae, returning clean water in the process.

We value diversity in our team and our thinking, and are a family-friendly, equal opportunities employer. We are open to considering a range of flexible working options and patterns with candidates.

Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Production Lab Supervisor, you will work as a key part of the MiAlgae Production Team, contributing towards the successful commercialisation of the company’s Omega-3 product and development of future products.

The core aspect of this role will be to ensure efficient planning and execution of day-to-day tasks within the Production Laboratory, and associated activities relating to this in other areas of the site, to fulfil required Inoculum and Site pieces throughput to fulfil Production targets and wider Business goals.

The role will require you to support the Production Team with laboratory upkeep, ensuring steady production of algal inoculum cultures and autoclaved site pieces for use at the Production Site according to Production schedules and demands to ensure production workflow is maintained. The position will require you to work flexibly, often independently and within a fast-paced and demanding environment, prioritising work requirements which can change regularly.

This role is well suited to someone who enjoys hands-on work, solving problems, and contributing to a team focused on delivering results and scaling sustainable biotechnology.

Duties

• Produce Laboratory-scale algal inoculum cultures to support production schedules.
• Maintain sterility and aseptic practices during inoculum preparation, sampling and autoclaving activities.
• Prepare, sterile and maintain ancillary equipment (pieces) to service Bioreactor builds on Site.
• Carry out laboratory checks including media preparation, pH adjustment and probe calibration.
• Complete production documentation including batch records, log sheets and check sheets.
• Co-ordinate contamination sampling, testing and results feedback with the Quality Control team.
• Co-ordinate with QC Department scheduling availability / planning of Autoclave usage within the PRN Lab.
• Operate and maintain autoclaves to ensure efficient sterilisation of laboratory materials.
• Maintain all laboratory equipment and report faults or maintenance needs immediately.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of laboratory processes.
• Maintain laboratory upkeep, clean, and organise in accordance with site standards.  
• Support stock control of laboratory consumables and raw materials using MiAlgae MRP system.
• Contribute to the upkeep and development of Production Lab procedures, SOPS, and risk assessments.
• Support the training of laboratory staff and students where necessary. 

About You

We are seeking driven individuals with a flexible approach to work, can help meet a growing demand, provide holiday/absence cover and who are keen to make their mark within a rapidly growing award-winning biotechnology scale-up company.

Experience

Essential:

The successful candidate will:

• Have relevant experience working in a production environment and have an interest in documentation control, processes and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated experience working with aseptic techniques and maintaining sterile laboratory practices.
• Experience in media preparation, laboratory sampling and routine laboratory testing (e.g. pH adjustment or probe calibration).
• Experience operating laboratory equipment such as autoclaves or similar sterilisation systems.
• Have strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to plan and prioritise tasks in a fast-paced production laboratory environment.
• Be comfortable working independently as well as part of a team, maintaining clear communication with colleagues across production and quality teams.
• Have basic understanding of quality and compliance principles, such as GMP, HACCP, ISO standards.  
• Have good attention to detail, particularly when completing documentation such as batch records, log sheets and check sheets.        
• A proactive and flexible approach to work, with the ability to adapt to changing production priorities.

Desirable:

• Understanding of fermentation.
• Knowledge of axenic culture creation and maintenance.
• Understanding of quality control and quality management systems.
• Interest in biotechnology, sustainability, or environmentally focused production processes.

Details

Employment Type: Full-time (Shift Working)

Location: Based at MiAlgae’s Production Laboratories in Grangemouth, Falkirk. Some travel to Edinburgh Office / R&D labs may be required occasionally.

Culture

MiAlgae is a fast-growing, people-oriented scale-up which strives to deliver company-wide goals through an inclusive and collaborative team approach. We are a friendly and positive team with a real sense of purpose and pull together to achieve our goals.

Benefits

• 32 days holiday entitlement.
• Additional annual leave per complete year of service – up to 5 additional days.
• Flexible working opportunities.
• Discretionary performance-based annual bonus programme.
• Excellent training – bespoke to you and your development needs.
• Cycle to work and electric car schemes.
• Free parking on site.
• Company contribution to gym membership.
• 5% company contribution to pension.
• Enhanced sick leave allowance.
• Recruitment referral scheme.
• Social events, and more.