Lead Microbiologist (m/f/d) Cooling Water Treatment

Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company, is seeking an experienced and motivated applied microbiologist to join our innovation efforts and support our customers in the Global High Tech (GHT) industry. We are establishing a dedicated EU GHT RD&E team who will work alongside our Global Water RD&E group in Leiden, the Netherlands. The Lead Microbiologist will primarily be responsible for contributing to the development and/or deployment of technologies and products that prevent microbiological growth in cooling water applications. The role will also encompass a significant amount of customer (field/application) support for industrial water applications. We are seeking a candidate with a strong technical background and practical field/application experience, who is self-motivated, has a desire for collaboration, and is a creative problem solver.

What’s in it For You:

• The opportunity to take on some of the world’s most meaningful challenges, helping customers achieve clean water, safe food, abundant energy, and healthy environments
• The ability to make an impact and shape your career with a company and a team that is passionate about growth
• A culture that values safety first, including training and personal protection

The main responsibilities of the role are to:

• Lead and/or collaborate in innovation development and deployment of products and solutions that prevent microbial growth in different cooling water applications
• Provide customer support to cooling water (and other industrial water) field applications in the context of microbiological prevention and control as well as remediation techniques for biofouling

This involves:

• Being a key technical contributor on multiple, complex projects by leading and conducting both lab and field tests, ensuring that data is analyzed, documented, and results communicated in a clear and concise manner
• Development of the application guidelines and operational windows for new products and/or technologies
• Collaborating with a global team, various functions, as well as potential third parties on the development of technologies that meet customer needs
• Providing insight on technical hurdles or risks in innovation development and brainstorming approaches and strategies to overcome these hurdles
• Identifying and understanding customer needs and challenges within cooling water applications in the global high tech industry (through field visits, engagement with customers and industry experts) and using these learnings and experience to build the EU innovation roadmap
• Providing advanced technical support to sales and customers, including technical training, application guidance, technical exchange, troubleshooting, and field visits

Qualifications and experience:

• Masters in Microbiology or related field with ideally more than 5 years of industry/field experience, or Ph.D. in Microbiology or related field with ideally more than 3 years of industry/field experience
• Knowledge of cooling water biocidal products
• Industry/field experience in cooling water treatment (open-recirculating and closed systems)
• Experience in the Global High Tech industry and associated cooling technologies (such as Direct to Chip cooling, Adiabatic) is an advantage
• Self-starter with great initiative and a ‘hands-on’ approach
• Good communication skills, with the ability to deliver complex information in an easy-to-understand format
• Creative problem-solving skills
• Works well under pressure
• Proficiency in English (both written and verbal) required
• Willingness and ability to travel 10-30% of the time