Media Preparation Lab Scientist

At Corteva Agriscience, you will help us grow what's next. No matter your role, you will be part of a team that is building the future of agriculture - leading breakthroughs in the innovation and application of science and technology that will better the lives of people all over the world and fuel the progress of humankind. The Screening and Bioprocess team (S&B) is seeking a Media Preparation Lab Scientist to lead experiments and projects aimed at improving the understanding of microbial media and its impact on fermentation processes. The successful candidate will design and execute experiments related to chemistry, biology, and engineering, using software such as JMP. The role involves coordinating with media preparation, fermentation, and analytical labs, documenting experimental results using electronic lab notebooks and reporting tools like Signals, and leading improvement projects to enhance lab operations. As a subject matter expert (SME) and product owner (PO), the candidate will provide technical feedback for multi-year software development projects that document fermentation recipes and workflows. The role also includes supporting media preparation tasks during peak demand periods and serving as a technical leader for a team of lab technicians. The candidate will work on optimizing microbial media through experimentation at various scales, using aseptic techniques and operating sterilization equipment like autoclaves and media preparators.

What You'll Do:

• Design and execute experiments related to chemistry, biology, and engineering with the assistance of software such as JMP.
• Ability to communicate and coordinate with media preparation, fermentation, and analytical labs to execute vital experiments in R&D.
• Document experimental results using electronic lab notebooks, report writing, and presentations to stakeholders using programs such as Signals.
• Lead improvement projects that seek to improve the productivity and efficiency of the lab operations while maintaining safety standards.
• Support lab technicians with the production of media orders during periods of peak demand.
• Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) for a multi-year software development that seeks to document fermentation recipes and workflows by providing technical feedback for the media preparation.
• Serve as a product owner (PO) for a software that serves to document media recipes and process media requests from the Indianapolis site. Also support labs outside of the Indianapolis site as a SME.
• Serve as a capability focal point for the Media Preparation Lab for customer inquiries and technical knowledge. Includes technical leadership for a team of lab technicians in the Media Preparation Lab.

What Skills You Need:

• Candidate to have at least 3 years of related experience in Bioprocessing or related field.
• Candidate to have at least a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or related field.
• Use of sterilization equipment such as autoclaves and media preparators.
• Programming of liquid handlers and integrated equipment (e.g., Biomek, Cytomat) for high-throughput automated tasks
• Knowledge in programming languages such as Visual Basic to aid in the development of liquid handling methods as well as data transformations for software solutions and experimental analysis.
• Experience with label and barcode design software such as Bartender with some knowledge in scripting to have them printed through in-house software solutions.
• Experience working in software development projects for a bioprocess application. Includes having familiarity with data pipelines and data transformations.
• Knowledge of networking to have equipment such as scales and printers connected for in-house applications.
• Writing and documentation of items related to lab operations such as standard operating procedures (SOPs) and job aids.
• Experience with aseptic technique, such as pipetting sterile media, pouring agar plates and other operations in sterile enclosures (biosafety cabinets, laminar flow hoods, etc.)
• Extensive knowledge in quality control processes to prompt identify contamination and determine area of potential exposure in the media preparation workflow.
• Use of applications such as JMP for Design of Experiment work and statistical analysis
• Optimization and development of microbial media through experimentation at various scales including microtiter plate, shake flask and bioreactor.
• Cultivation of microorganisms such as bacteria and yeast in shake flask, microtiter plate, and bioreactor format.

Benefits - How We'll Support You:

• Numerous development opportunities offered to build your skills

• Be part of a company with a higher purpose and contribute to making the world a better place

• Health benefits for you and your family on your first day of employment

• Four weeks of paid time off and two weeks of well-being pay per year, plus paid holidays

• Excellent parental leave which includes a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and father

• Future planning with our competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement program

• Learn more about our total rewards package here - Corteva Benefits

• Check out life at Corteva! www.linkedin.com/company/corteva/life

Are you a good match? Apply today! We seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure we get the best, most creative talent on our team.

Corteva Agriscience is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embracing our differences to enrich lives, advance innovation, and boost company performance. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, military or veteran status, pregnancy related conditions (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), disability or any other protected status in accordance with federal, state, or local laws.