Overview
NEXT GENERATION MATERIAL DISCOVERY MICROBIOLOGIST – Unilever Bebington, England, United Kingdom
Location: Unilever R&D Port Sunlight (close to Liverpool and Chester) with travel to Materials Innovation Factory (University of Liverpool), UK.
Job Purpose: Unilever is a global leader in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods industry. We develop products that enhance and improve people's lives today while addressing environmental challenges of tomorrow. We are looking for a Next Generation Material Discovery Microbiologist to support a strategic preservation project across PC, B&W and HC businesses to ensure products are microbiologically safe by design. The successful candidate will support evaluation and testing of future-fit preservation systems under the P2.0 strategic programme, enabling innovation and sustainability across all three BGs. This role is part of the Preservation and Applied Microbiology team, providing global technical expertise to support Global PC, B&W and HC Design and Deploy, in partnership with regional laboratories. Microbiological expertise covers formulation and process design, microbiological methods and supply chain hygiene.
Responsibilities
* Work on all related projects for Preservation 2.0 strategic programme.
* Work on projects and activities for PC products preservation.
* Identify and evaluate novel preservative systems and materials for diverse product formats and formulations.
* Member of the Global Preservation and Applied Microbiology Skill Base.
* Design and execute experimental work to support discovery, screening, and validation of new preservation technologies.
* Develop and apply microbiological methods and digital tools to assess preservatives and chemicals efficacy.
* Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate new materials into formulation and processing workflows across all BGs.
* Execute practical work/tests/trials at laboratory scale.
Main Accountabilities
* Perform laboratory testing to evaluate efficacy of novel preservation materials for PC, B&W, and HC products.
* Perform practical work to evaluate preservative efficacy and ad hoc testing for PC products.
* Capture and manage data using digital platforms, ensuring traceability and reproducibility across BGs.
* Coordinate screening and evaluation of new technologies, working with internal and external partners.
* Administer samples, review data, and gather insights to support material discovery across multiple product categories.
* Conduct microbiological analysis through in-house testing or third-party labs.
* Perform microbiology methods such as Challenge Tests, TVC, Gram staining, and identification techniques.
* Contribute to the scientific development of the Microbiology skill base, with a focus on innovation and discovery.
* Support hygiene assessments for manufacturing processes involving new materials across BGs.
About You
* Educational Background: Degree in Microbiology, Bioscience, or related Life Sciences.
* Experience: Prior experience in microbiological methods, experimental design, basic microbiology and laboratory techniques, and microbiology identification methods. Experience in material screening or discovery is a plus.
* Skills: Strong attention to detail, excellent communication, and proficiency in digital tools (Excel, Word, Outlook). Familiarity with data analysis and digital lab platforms is desirable.
Your Personal Qualities
* Analytical Thinking: Ability to analyse and interpret complex data related to microbial experiments.
* Collaboration: Strong ability to work across teams and with external partners.
* Organisational Skills: Excellent organisational skills to manage and maintain detailed records and documentation.
* Proactive Mindset: Results-driven, pragmatic, and able to prioritise effectively under tight timelines.
Notes
Please apply via this portal as e-mail applications may not be processed and include your Future Fit Plan if possible.
By applying for this vacancy, you are confirming that you have made your Line Manager aware of your application and that you are at a point in your career with Unilever where it is appropriate for you to be applying for other positions.
What We Offer
We are open to flexible working options and strive for a family-friendly and inclusive workplace. We aim to create possibilities for all and support diversity in the workforce, providing reasonable adjustments during the application and interview process to enable you to present your best self. For more information on Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, please refer to Unilever’s resources.
Seniority level
* Entry level
Employment type
* Full-time
Job function
* Research, Analyst, and Information Technology
Industries
* Manufacturing
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