Junior Research Associate - Consumer And Sensory Sciences

Responsibilities :

• The JRA would be responsible for planning, coordinating and executing product claims substantiation activities through methods and techniques in Microbiology, Biotechnology and Consumer research across different categories and brands within Personal Care R&D, basis defined timelines.
• The JRA would be required to network and coordinate studies with various external labs/CROs and analyse data received and draw conclusions for claims suitability. He/She is required to align and establish processes, methods and bioassays for Microbiology / Biotechnology, Product evaluations through Consumer / Clinical research and participate in the creation of novel and differentiated product claims and consumer demonstrations.

Job Responsibilities

• Assist in product evaluations and claim substantiation through methods in wet lab research [Microbiology/ Cell-Culture/ Bioassays etc], Dry lab research, Consumer / Clinical research etc. in defined timelines.
• Actively engage with Stakeholders [formulation teams, Brand teams] to understand the requirement and suggest appropriate testing approaches, timely execution of the evaluations and communication of result as per the set schedules
• Actively engage with Consumers to draw insights on product performance and acceptance, Consumer behavior and preferences.
• Ensure documentation thoroughness of all the assigned projects.
• Work independently and in teams (within team and with cross-functional teams) to enable timely decisions on assigned projects.
• Operate and maintain advanced Instruments (instruments used for in vivo and in vitro product evaluations)
• Participate in ideation and troubleshooting activities within the group.
• Learn and develop existing processes in lab and documentation etc.
• Learn and develop new methods, new capabilities for continuous skill enhancement.

Requirements

Qualifications

Biotechnology disciplines/skills like Human/Animal Cell culture techniques would be a plus.

Knowledge/experience in 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, Personal Care product testing in FMCG or allied Industries
• Experience in Personal Care and Home Care product evaluations (Consumers skin/hair etc., Surfaces, lab-methods), Basic appreciation of Statistics.

Skills

• Microbiology laboratory testing skills e.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 and Open Communication Skills, Sound Analytical Mindset, Inclination to learn and operate advanced instruments and research methodology employed in product efficacy assessments. Networking skills to coordinate studies with various external labs / CROs and analyse data received and draw conclusions for product claims suitability.
• Biotechnology skills like Human/Animal Cell culture, cryo-preservation, MTT Assay, cell lysate preparation, RNA/DNA extraction, cDNA and qPCR etc.
• Instrument and Lab maintenance with experience on audits in core domain and ISO 14001, 17025 etc.
• Networking abilities, ability to connect with people and openly communicate
• Language Proficiency: Kannada, Tamil/ Telugu, Hindi

Knowledge

• MS Excel, MS Word, MS-Powerpoint, Basic Statistics tools.
• Fair understanding on Personal Care and Home Care products and Market
• An above average understanding of Skin and Hair Biology and basic methods in evaluating product efficacies in Personal Care and Home Care domain.