Associate Scientist - Spore Production

Are you looking for an opportunity to make a difference?  At Mesa Labs, we’re passionate about protecting the vulnerable by enabling scientific breakthroughs, ensuring product integrity, increasing patient and worker safety, and improving quality of life around the world.At Mesa Labs we offer competitive wages, including annual bonus opportunity and a comprehensive benefits package.Base Hourly Rate: $30/hrThe total compensation opportunity includes the base salary, a 10% annual bonus opportunity based on company performance.Outstanding Benefits and PerksWe are proud to offer a variety of benefits that meet the diverse needs of our employees:Eligible for benefits the first day of the month following date of hireMedical, dental and vision Insurance optionsHealth savings (HSA), healthcare & dependent care flexible spending (FSA) accountsCompany paid life, accident and short/long-term disability insuranceThree (3) weeks’ PTO that begins to accrue on Day 1Paid sick leave up to 48 hours per yearNine (9) paid company holidays per year401(k) plan with 4% company match on a 4% employee contribution that begins on Day 1Employee Wellness and Financial Assistance Resources through Cigna and NY LifeFour (4) weeks paid Caregiver Leave available to care for your loved ones after 12 months of employment or in accordance with state leave lawsOn-site gym (Bozeman facility)Overtime opportunitiesSummary StatementIn this role, you will be working on products that improve quality of life for patients, workers and consumers worldwide.  Our products include sterilization and cleaning monitoring, mail in spore testing, and continuous monitoring products to name a few.  Our services include validation and calibration services, sterilization cycle development and validation, and contract laboratory testing. Your work can have a direct impact on your life and the lives of those you love. Key Job Responsibilities:Standard Operating Procedure Work:Growth and cultivation of various types of bacterial spores.Perform routine laboratory tests and procedures, including spore cultivation, media preparation, microscopic analysis, product performance testing, and manufacturing spore suspensions.Experimental Design and Execution:Develop and execute experiments to support analyzing data to assess bacterial growth patterns and optimize cultivation methods.Design protocols and methodologies to test hypotheses and analyze results.Data Collection and Analysis:Collect, record, and analyze experimental data using appropriate statistical methods.Interpret results and prepare reports summarizing findings and recommendations.Documentation and Compliance:Maintain accurate and detailed laboratory notebooks in compliance with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).Ensure all research activities adhere to relevant safety and regulatory guidelines.Collaboration and Communication:Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Product Development, Quality Assurance, and operation labs.Present research findings in team meetings and contribute to project planning discussions.Literature Review and Research:Conduct literature reviews to stay informed about current trends and advancements in relevant scientific fields.Propose new research ideas and approaches based on findings from literature and experimental results.Project Management:Assist in managing timelines and project deliverables to ensure research objectives are met.Contribute to project documentation, including protocols, reports, and presentations.Deliver spores used for production and for sale by work order deadlines.Equipment Maintenance:Operate and maintain laboratory equipment, ensuring proper calibration and functionality.Assist in troubleshooting and resolving technical issues related to experimental procedures.Training and Mentorship:Support the training of interns, junior scientists, and lab personnel on laboratory techniques and safety protocols.Foster a collaborative and supportive laboratory environment.Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Life Sciences, Chemistry, Biology, or a related field0 - 1 year of professional experience.Familiarity with laboratory techniques such as bacteria cultivation, biological assays, preparation of growth media, and confocal light microscopy. Strong analytical skills and proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., Excel, GraphPad, statistical software). Excellent written and verbal communication skills.  Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Mesa Labs is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.Mesa Labs prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment against applicants or employees based on age, race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, disability, military status, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law.Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with DisabilitiesThe contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)