Senior Microbiologist

About the Company

I am working on behalf of a growing UK-based SME based in Surrey that develops, manufactures, and markets innovative diagnostic products used to detect microbiological contamination in industrial systems. The business has an international customer base and ambitious growth plans, delivering practical, science-led technical solutions.

They are now looking to appoint a self-motivated Senior Scientist to join their R&D team. This is a hands-on role within a small group of scientists, offering a fast-paced and collaborative working environment without complex corporate structures.

The successful candidate will take responsibility for day-to-day laboratory operations, support innovation projects, and provide technical guidance and training to colleagues. This opportunity would suit someone with strong microbiology expertise who enjoys working in a small, agile organisation.

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Main Responsibilities

• Independently plan, design, and execute R&D experiments aligned with company strategy and product development goals.

• Analyse and interpret complex experimental data, drawing clear and defensible conclusions.

• Lead assigned R&D projects from concept through to delivery, including troubleshooting and technical decision-making.

• Prepare technical reports and present findings to internal teams and senior management.

• Maintain laboratory health and safety compliance, including risk assessments, COSHH, SOPs, and safe systems of work.

• Ensure laboratory practices meet internal quality standards and external audit requirements.

• Support laboratory maintenance, equipment servicing, and management of reagents and consumables.

• Report progress and results accurately to line management and senior technical colleagues.

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Accountability

• Work collaboratively with other scientists to ensure timely completion of R&D and production-related tasks.

• Promote best practice in experimental design, documentation, and data integrity.

• Support QC activities when required while maintaining a primary focus on R&D.

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Documentation & Quality

• Ensure all experimental work is documented in line with company procedures and ISO9001 standards.

• Maintain accurate project records, reports, and data storage.

• Where appropriate, support commercial teams with customer visits or technical enquiries and contribute to external scientific engagement such as conferences or technical meetings.

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Skills and Experience

Essential

• Minimum six years’ laboratory experience with increasing technical responsibility.

• Degree in Microbiology (or a closely related discipline) or equivalent industry experience.

• Proven ability to independently plan, execute, analyse, and interpret experiments.

• Experience working within laboratory quality systems and health & safety frameworks.

• Strong practical microbiology skills, ideally in applied or industrial settings.

• Experience producing technical reports and presenting findings to technical and senior audiences.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools.

• Confidence communicating technical information to collaborators or external stakeholders.

• Self-motivated and comfortable working autonomously in an SME environment.

Desirable

• Experience in molecular biology techniques (e.g., DNA extraction, PCR, qPCR).

• Understanding of microbial ecology in industrial or environmental systems.

• Experience with immunoassay-based methods (e.g., ELISA or lateral flow).

• Experience analysing complex or multivariate datasets.

• Experience representing an organisation at conferences, technical meetings, or customer demonstrations.

• Willingness to travel occasionally within the UK and internationally if required.

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Benefits

• Private health insurance

• Pension scheme with employer contribution