Role & responsibilities Team Management & Leadership:Lead a multidisciplinary team of researchers, technicians, and laboratory staff.Provide mentorship, training, and professional development to laboratory team membersFoster a collaborative and productive work environment to enhance team performancePlanning and task allotment, oversee the scheduling and delegation of daily tasks and projects.Laboratory Operations:Manage the day-to-day operations of the laboratory, ensuring that all equipment, materials, and resources are available and well-maintained.Ensure adherence to laboratory safety standards, procedures, and regulatory requirementsOversee the preparation and setup of experiments and testing proceduresPreparation of standard test procedures and implementation.Research & Testing:Design, plan, and oversee experiments related to the testing of biofertilizers, microbial formulations, and beneficial strains.Supervise the isolation and identification of beneficial microorganisms, including mycorrhiza and other biofertilizer and biocontrol strains.Guide and lead the team for various laboratory activities, including research, experimentation, prototyping, proof of concept, method development, and method validationConduct microbial testing, including assays for the evaluation of microbial activity, growth, and interactions in the laboratory, soil, plants, and in the field.Data Analysis & Reporting:Analysis, interpretation, and submission of experimental data.Ensure the preparation of detailed reports on research findings, experiment results, and recommendations for future work.Present research outcomes to senior management, stakeholders, or at external conferences.Manage the documentation and storage of experimental data and reports in compliance with company standards.Quality Assurance & Compliance:Ensure all laboratory work complies with applicable scientific, safety, and regulatory guidelines.Develop and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all laboratory activities.Conduct regular reviews of laboratory processes to ensure continuous improvement in efficiency and quality.Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement:Collaborate with internal teams, such as R&D, production, and quality assurance, to integrate research findings into product development processes.Liaise with external collaborators, academic institutions, and regulatory bodies as needed for research and testing purposes.Innovation & Continuous Improvement:Stay current with the latest developments in biotechnology, microbiology for the agriculture sector.Identify opportunities for innovation and implement new technologies or methodologies to enhance the laboratory's capabilities.Ensure the laboratory remains at the forefront of research and testing in biofertilizer and microbial technology.Required SkillsStrong knowledge and experience of microbial isolation and culturing techniques.Experience with biofertilizer testing protocols, including plant-microbe interaction studies.Expertise in mycorrhiza strain isolation and identification.Familiarity with molecular biology techniques (e.g., PCR, sequencing) for strain identification.Proficiency in data analysis tools and laboratory management software.Excellent organizational and project management skills.Strong communication and interpersonal skills.Preferred candidate profile Ph.D. or Masters degree in Microbiology, Biotechnology, or Molecular Biology.MSc: 5+ Years of experience as a researcher.PhD: Fresher or experienced.