Specialist Microbiology

Careers at AkzoNobel

About AkzoNobel

Since 1792, we’ve been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people’s lives and protect what matters most. Our world-class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens, and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We’re active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It’s what you’d expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that’s dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let’s paint the future together.

Job Purpose

AkzoNobel Paints and Coatings is an expert in the proud craft of making paints and coatings, setting the standard in color and protection since under international and local brand names including Sikkens®, Levis®, Flexa®, and Hammerite® International and Interpon.

Within the organization, the Microbiology Expertise Group (MBEG) performs research, tests, and projects concerned with the microbiological protection of waterborne paints and related materials.

Your mission in this role is to provide motivated and hands-on support for MBEG, considering necessary technical, legal, HSE, and Product Stewardship principles.

Are you an accurate and results-driven team player with eagerness to perform routine practical lab work? Can you combine a high degree of flexibility with an awareness of end-user needs? Above all, are you a good team player and committed to your work to support our team within our fast-moving, multinational, and multicultural business environment?

If you offer all this and more, we invite you to apply for the role of Specialist Microbiology.

Responsibilities

MBEG covers areas including in-can preservation and dry-film preservation of our paints and plant hygiene in our production sites. Our main customers are colleagues in the Product Development Centers (PDC), from the Regulatory field of biocides, within technical teams in the different countries, and people from the paint production.

Within this context, your core function in this role is to prepare the samples for the tests and provide support on the execution of the tests in the supervision of the project lead. This requires you to set up experimental designs and coordinate laboratory activities independently. You execute experiments with a high level of efficiency and accuracy and minimum supervision before evaluating and reporting the results. Sample preparation, panel preparation, paint application, execution of classical microbiological tests, and general lab maintenance (cleaning, organization of the lab and lab supply, contacting with the services in case of issues) as well as report writing and project update are key tasks.

Requirements

• Bachelor in Microbiology or equivalent degree (PhDs. Will not be considered for this position)
• Ideally at least one year of experience in a Microbiology laboratory
• Agile to adapt to changes in the lab environment and can manage the workload independently
• Good team player, proactive
• Enjoy routine work in a dynamic lab environment
• Good communication skills including fluent written and spoken English
• The awareness of working across cultures and functional boundaries

What do we offer in return?

• Above average number of annual holidays: 44 days.
• Participation in the AkzoNobel pension plan.
• Fixed bonus (CLA).
• Travel expenses to and from work.
• Opportunities for ongoing education and professional development.
• Being part of events and networking platforms.

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason, we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, or disability.