Junior Research Associate

Responsibilities : The JRA would be responsible for planning, coordinating andexecuting product claims substantiation activities through methods andtechniques in Microbiology, Biotechnology and Consumer research acrossdifferent categories and brands within Personal Care R&D, basis definedtimelines.The JRA would be required to network and coordinate studieswith various external labs/CROs and analyse data received and draw conclusionsfor claims suitability. He/She is required to align and establish processes,methods and bioassays for Microbiology / Biotechnology, Product evaluationsthrough Consumer / Clinical research and participate in the creation of noveland differentiated product claims and consumer demonstrations.Job responsibilities:·       Assist in product evaluations andclaim substantiation through methods in wet lab research [Microbiology/Cell -Culture/ Bioassays etc], Dry lab research, Consumer / Clinical researchetc. in defined timelines.·       Actively engage with Stakeholders[formulation teams, Brand teams] to understand the requirement and suggestappropriate testing approaches, timely execution of the evaluations and communicationof result as per the set schedules  ·       Actively engage with Consumers todraw insights on product performance and acceptance, Consumer behavior andpreferences.·       Ensure documentation thoroughnessof all the assigned projects.·       Work independently and in teams (withinteam and with cross -functional teams) to enable timely decisions on assignedprojects.·       Operate and maintain advancedInstruments (instruments used for in vivo and in vitro product evaluations)·       Participate in ideation andtroubleshooting activities within the group.·       Learn and develop existingprocesses in lab and documentation etc. ·       Learnand develop new methods, new capabilities for continuous skill enhancement. Requirements Qualifications : M.Sc.Microbiology / M.Sc. Microbiology + Biotechnology Biotechnology disciplines/skills likeHuman/Animal Cell culture techniques would be a plus. Knowledge/experiencein Personal Care and Home Care product evaluations (Consumers' skin/hair etc.,Surfaces, lab -methods), Basic appreciation of Statistics. Work Experience :  1 -5 years' experience in Microbiology, Cell culture, Cell Biology, PersonalCare product testing in FMCG or allied Industries Experience in Personal Care and Home Careproduct evaluations (Consumers' skin/hair etc., Surfaces, lab -methods), Basicappreciation of Statistics. Skills : ·      Microbiology laboratory testing skillse.g. aseptic and sterile techniques, optical microscopy, bacterial staining, culturing,isolation, enumeration and identification, use of biological safety cabinets,media and buffer preparation, diagnostic biochemical tests for microbes,antimicrobial bioassays etc.). ·       Self -Initiator, Strong, Clear andOpen Communication Skills, Sound Analytical Mindset, Inclination to learn andoperate advanced instruments and research methodology employed in productefficacy assessments. Networking skills to coordinate studieswith various external labs / CROs and analyse data received and drawconclusions for product claims suitability.·       Biotechnologyskills like Human/Animal Cell culture, cryo -preservation, MTT Assay, celllysate preparation, RNA/DNA extraction, cDNA and qPCR etc.·       Instrumentand Lab maintenance with experience on audits in core domain and ISO 14001,17025 etc.·       Networkingabilities, ability to connect with people and openly communicate ·     LanguageProficiency: Kannada, Tamil/ Telugu, Hindi Knowledge  MS Excel, MS Word, MS -Powerpoint,Basic Statistics tools.Fair understanding on PersonalCare and Home Care products and Market Anabove average understanding of Skin and Hair Biology and basic methods inevaluating product efficacies in Personal Care and Home Care domain.