Associate Scientist I

Position Summary

As an Associate Scientist I you will work within the Sustaining microbiology team with several strains of BSL-1 organisms and employ numerous microbiology methodologies for testing including but not limited to aseptic technique, plate colony counting, inoculation and recovery of test articles and serial dilutions. In this role you will also support testing of current STERIS biological products for both the STERIS Healthcare and STERIS Life Science sectors. The position will require accurately maintaining, recording and reporting of test data. Additionally, as an Associate Scientist I you must possess the ability to perform and accurately document tasks according to established work instructions and written protocols in a timely manner, while working both independently and within a team on multiple studies at different stages of the process.

This role requires onsite work 5 days per week at our Mentor, OH Corporate HQ.

What You'll do as an Associate Scientist I

• Carry out assigned projects, laboratory work, and data analysis under the direction of a supervisor.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment.
• Carry out routine and semi-routine tasks independently.
• Understand and comply with accepted laboratory and safety procedures.
• Demonstrate excellent laboratory techniques.
• Recognize and communicate unexpected results in a timely manner to supervisor.
• Maintain a laboratory notebook and document laboratory data accurately and timely.
• Help meet laboratory quality, housekeeping, and regulatory compliance.
• Perform all work in a safe and environmentally conscious manner.
• Successfully complete a basic microbiology skills evaluation prior to beginning any project work.
• Work with different sterilization technologies including vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP), liquid chemical, and steam.
• Successfully complete training and demonstrate solid proficiency of the following:
  • Microbiological techniques including serial dilutions, plate colony counting and inoculation/recovery of test articles using bacterial spores.
  • Aseptic techniques for use in preparation of microbiological medias/reagents and sterile harvesting.
  • Use and interpretation of test controls in all experiments.
  • Operation of laboratory equipment used in testing.
• Successfully complete training and demonstrate basic understanding of the following tests:
  • Sterility assurance testing
  • D-value testing
  • Biological and Chemical Indicator testing
  • Critical parameters testing
  • Simulated use testing
  • Microbiology testing required for FDA clearance of a non-traditional sterilizer
  • Population and purity testing for maintenance of bacterial spore stocks
• Write and revise work instructions (WIs), protocols and reports under supervision

The Experience, Skills and Abilities Needed

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree (B.S.)
• Requires 0-3 years of related laboratory experience.

Preferred:

• 1 year of related microbiology laboratory experience (can include college level laboratory experience).

Other:

• Prior documented experience using laboratory equipment such as microscopes, autoclaves, incubators, biosafety cabinets (BSCs), centrifuges, balances, sonicating water baths, micropipettes, serological pipets, pipet-aids, etc.    
• A positive attitude, a willingness to learn and the ability to be adaptable to changing project needs.
• Demonstrated experience of working successfully in a team environment.
• Maintain a level of technical knowledge consistent with current scientific literature and best practices.
• Understand and comply with established protocols and within regulatory and laboratory requirements.
• Understand and comply with accepted laboratory and safety procedures.
• Independently operate various standard instruments and perform basic maintenance according to established methods.
• Demonstrated good writing skills for the following:
  • • Work Instructions and revisions
    • Test plans/protocols
    • Laboratory reports
    • Out of specification reports
• Demonstrated good oral communication skills by:
  • • Reporting laboratory results to supervisor and team
    • Give presentations to group

What STERIS Offers