Seaweed Technician

at  Algoz Solutions Pty Ltd

Business Name: Algoz Solutions Pty Ltd
Job Title: Seaweed Technician
Location: Sydney, NSW 2071
Salary: $70,000 to $85,000 per year
Location: Sydney, NSW with potential travel to India and other locations where seaweed for the laboratory is required to be sourced. Approximately 25% of the annual duties are expected to be undertaken at outside site locations.

ACADEMIC AND TRADE QUALIFICATIONS

Essential qualifications

• Appropriate degree in Science Aquaculture required, with seaweed related components and a Master’s degree.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Marine Culture Working Certificates
• Driving licence
• Marine safety teaching certificate
• First Aid certificates
• Marine boat and diving certificates

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE

• Experience with seaweed culturing and reproduction methods, both in a lab and natural environment.
• Extensive experience with seaweed identification and classification.
• Competent and capable of working at sea in order to collect samples and assist with cultivation.
• Strong working knowledge of seaweed harvesting methods and subsequent sorting, cleaning, drying and further processing at commercial scale.
• Understanding and demonstrated practical experience of seaweed extraction processes for fucoidan and similar compounds
• Knowledge of lab extraction techniques and practical experience in performing extractions, analysing and recording their results
• Knowledge of several of the following techniques: HPLC, FPLC, Flash Chromatography, TLC, Electrophoresis, Supercritical Fluid Extraction, general protein and polysaccharide purification methods

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

• Experience in third party technical reviews and providing samples of compounds in appropriate forms.
• At least 6 months working experience in a dedicated seaweed lab environment, with safety practices and general non-contamination knowledge of particular importance.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

This is a qualified technician position, linking specific knowledge of seaweed species, growing, drying, storing and transporting with standard laboratory practices for the extraction of high value, green, medical grade compounds such as fucoxanthin, fucoidan and other polysaccharides.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Responsibility 1 – SEAWEED PROTOCOLS 50%

• Coordinate and participate in R&D seaweed extraction protocols conducted both internally and with third party service providers
• Coordinate and participate in environmental monitoring projects, certification and compliance programs
• Involvement in seaweed culturing and reproduction
• Liaise closely with a range of internal and external stakeholders (e.g. technical support teams, seaweed harvesters and scientific experts)
• Development of sampling techniques and procedures, sample analysis, sample storage and reporting procedures
• Collation, analysis and interpretation of scientific data
• Develop, implement and maintain quality management systems
• Management of seaweed sample collection and the detailed processes and procedures required

: Each lab extraction input batch must comply with lab standards for each applicable extraction type (e.g fucoxanthin) and be suitable for ISO certification.

Responsibility 2 – SEAWEED EXTRACTION ASSISTANCE 30%

• Assist with the input of the seaweed materials into the extraction processes for fucoidan and similar compounds.
• First level performance of base extractions, analysing and recording their results.
• Utilising the following techniques: HPLC, FPLC, Flash Chromatography, TLC, Electrophoresis, Supercritical Fluid Extraction, general protein and polysaccharide purification methods for the base level extractions.
• Working with the Purification team to provide them with the above.

– Base level extracted compounds must meet the standards agreed with the third-party verification entities at Macquarie University MAFF and APAF.

Responsibility 3 – QUALITY CONTROL PROTOCOLS 20%

• Develop, implement and maintain quality management systems.
• Management of seaweed sample grinding, moisture control and storage, and the detailed processes, equipment and procedures required.
• Conduct literature reviews as required.
• Writing of reports in scientific format according to agreed project timelines.

Work standard – Quality Management Systems must meet with ISO levels required for the extracted compounds to be certified.