About the Role

One Acre Fund is looking for a Microbiology Coordinator to help us build and run our brand-new food testing lab. You will make sure our food is safe for customers and help our farmers by ensuring their products meet high-quality standards. You will report to the Laboratory Specialist and lead a small team of 1 to 2 people.

Key Responsibilities

Pathogen Detection & Analytical Excellence

• Find Dangerous Microorganisms and Pathogens: utilising Microbiological methods, PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) and ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) platforms to detect microorganisms like Salmonella and Listeria.
• Check Food Freshness: Test for yeast, mold, and other signs to see how long food stays fresh.
• Verify Methods: Make sure our testing methods follow technical standards such as ISO/IEC 17025 and we get the testing results right every time. You are expected to be a real expert in microbiological testing methods and practice.

Factory Hygiene & Cleaning Checks

• Surface Swabs: Wipe down factory floors and machines to prove they are truly clean and sterile.
• Air & Water Testing: Test the air in packaging rooms and the water used to wash food to make sure no germs are hiding there.

Laboratory Care & Safety

• Prepare Testing Materials: Mix and sterilize the “media” (germ food) used for tests and make sure it works correctly.
• Machine Maintenance: Look after lab equipment like incubators and autoclaves to keep them working perfectly.
• Keep it Sterile: Follow strict “clean” rules to make sure no one gets sick in the lab and samples don’t get mixed up.

Traceability & Chain of Custody

• Track Everything: Keep a clear list of every sample from the moment it arrives until it is disposed
• Report Problems: If a test shows a problem, note this down immediately and tell the manager.

Qualifications

• 3+ years working in a microbiology lab (Food Industry is best).
• A Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology or Food Science.
• You know how to use PCR/ELISA machines and how to grow and test germs safely.
• You understand how to keep a lab safe and how to clean lab tools properly.
• You can manage 1–2 staff members and plan the daily work
• You can explain science in simple words and write good reports.
• You are great at following a plan and keeping track of details.

• Utilizing Microbiological methods, PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) and ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) platforms to detect microorganisms like Salmonella and Listeria.
• Testing for yeast, mold, and other signs to see how long food stays fresh.
• Ensuring testing methods follow technical standards such as ISO/IEC 17025 and accurate testing results.
• Wiping down factory floors and machines to prove they are truly clean and sterile.
• Testing the air in packaging rooms and the water used to wash food to make sure no germs are hiding there.
• Mixing and sterilizing the “media” (germ food) used for tests and making sure it works correctly.
• Looking after lab equipment like incubators and autoclaves to keep them working perfectly.
• Following strict “clean” rules to make sure no one gets sick in the lab and samples don’t get mixed up.
• Keeping a clear list of every sample from the moment it arrives until it is disposed.
• Reporting problems if a test shows a problem immediately and telling the manager.

• Microbiological testing methods
• PCR
• ELISA
• Lab safety
• Equipment maintenance
• Sample traceability
• Report writing
• Detail-oriented

• 3+ years working in a microbiology lab (Food Industry is best).
• A Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology or Food Science.
• Proficiency in using PCR/ELISA machines.
• Knowledge of growing and testing germs safely.
• Understanding of lab safety and proper cleaning of lab tools.
• Ability to manage 1–2 staff members and plan daily work.
• Ability to explain science in simple words.
• Ability to write good reports.
• Ability to follow a plan and keep track of details.