Associate Scientist I at Microbac Laboratories in Sterling, VA

ASSOCIATE SCIENTIST I Seasonal · Location: Sterling, VA, US Come join our family!  If you are interested in truly making a difference in a collaborative and rewarding work setting with a culture of respect, accountability, appreciation, and loyalty, Microbac might be the right place for you! We offer a positive working environment with engaged and supportive leadership teams along with competitive pay and benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, generous paid time off including vacation, holidays and flextime, a wellness program, referral bonus, tuition reimbursement and more!   ABOUT MICROBAC Microbac Laboratories, Inc. is a premier commercial laboratory testing firm that partners with clients nationwide, offering laboratory solutions to life science, food and nutrition, and environmental industries and serves our clients with the utmost expertise and respect for their market requirements, constraints, and challenges. We embody a company-wide commitment to exceptional customer experience, which has been refined by over 50 years of trusted, analytical and measurement experience. As a privately held third-party testing company, Microbac operates with a commitment to our workforce, safety, quality, and compliance. Our diverse work portfolio includes broad accreditation offerings and tested insights across the environmental, food and nutrition and life science markets. JOB SUMMARY The Associate Scientist I, working in an accredited commercial laboratory, is responsible for assisting with the conduct of microbiological assays and associated activities to determine antimicrobial efficacy of household and commercial cleaning products. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: • Following established SOP’s and adhering to state, federal and other accrediting body requirements, collect information about the antimicrobial properties of substances/samples to support the analytical testing needs of our clients for such purposes as quantitative or qualitative analysis, and product development • Perform laboratory housekeeping duties to include autoclaving and glassware processing • Prepare necessary standards, solutions, reagents, media, etc., required for sample analyses • Perform equipment and instrumentation set up • Operate basic and specialized laboratory instrumentation • Prepare and analyze samples • Accurately record observations and data and interpret results • Assists in the development and validation of new analytical methods • Assists in the development of new laboratory procedures • Assist department supervisors and managers with staff training • Contribute to writing, editing, and reviewing SOP’s • Perform peer review of data to ensure accuracy • Maintain accurate, up to date logs, notebooks, and equipment records • Perform necessary laboratory administrative functions such as filing paperwork, photocopying, reviewing of data, and entering data into computerized LIMS • Comply with and promote Personnel, Safety, and Quality Program   MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: • Bachelor’s degree from a four-year accredited institution in a related field of applied science • Prior analytical testing experience • Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions and ask questions when necessary • Above average knowledge of principles, terminology, practices, techniques, and instrumentation commonly used in a laboratory setting • Ability to interpret data and prepare reports • Ability to effectively prioritize work and manage time to meet deadlines • Computer literacy • Ability to work with delicate laboratory equipment • Ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal formats    WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands and working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical Requirements:   • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools; talk or hear. The employee is required to stand, walk, and sit. • The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include color vision and depth perception. Working Conditions:   • While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be in a general laboratory and office environment. • The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. • This job may require travel less than 20%   As a privately held third-party testing company, Microbac operates with a commitment to safety, quality and compliance. Our diverse work portfolio includes broad accreditation offerings and tested insights across the environmental, food and life science markets. OTHER: This job description is not an exhaustive list of all duties an employee may be required to perform.  Microbac reserves the right to revise the job description at any time.  Employment is at-will. Microbac, promotes a drug-free, alcohol-free workplace. Applicants considered for hire must pass a drug test before beginning work. Refusal to submit to testing will result in disqualification of further employment consideration. Microbac is an Equal Opportunity Employer – We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.