Position Details

The Laboratory Customer Support Technician is an integral part of our Phibro Ethanol Diagnostic Lab team based in St. Paul, Minnesota and will play a key role in the day-to-day operations of the lab.  Phibro is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented candidate to join our dynamic team.  The Laboratory Customer Support Technician will be responsible for performing general lab maintenance, cleaning, instrument calibration and metrology, and testing in the laboratory while ensuring compliance to departmental policies and procedures applicable to the lab. The Technician will own a portion of our customer service and/or quality work to deliver customer satisfaction through results and recommendations in a timely manner.  The Laboratory Customer Support Technician will facilitate timely completion of lab projects and testing by effectively managing resources and time, providing feedback, and through communication with the other lab technicians, scientists, and the Director of Laboratory Services.  The Director of Laboratory Services provides work direction and priorities for this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high‑quality laboratory customer service, including flexibility to work evenings and weekends as business needs require
• Receive, log, analyze, and process customer and experimental samples using established laboratory methods
• Perform routine laboratory testing, fermentation assays, and analytical sample preparation (e.g., HPLC, GC) in compliance with SOPs
• Accurately analyze, document, and manage experimental data and results using electronic systems
• Prepare clear, timely technical reports and summaries to communicate results to internal teams and customers
• Operate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory, fermentation, and sterilization equipment
• Maintain laboratory readiness through inventory management, media preparation, and general lab maintenance in collaboration with other team members
• Contribute to continuous improvement by writing, reviewing, and updating SOPs and providing technical feedback

Key Competencies Required

• Education: Associate’s degree with 2–4 years of relevant lab experience required; degree in biology, microbiology, or related field preferred.
• Laboratory Techniques: Proficient in aseptic techniques, sterile hoods, autoclaves, plating methods, microscopy, cell counting, staining, and cell culture.
• Fermentation Experience: Hands-on experience with bench-scale fermentations using shake flasks or fermenters.
• Software Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office (especially Excel) and laboratory data acquisition/analysis systems.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to identify issues, recommend improvements, and execute tasks to completion.
• Communication: Clear, accurate, and professional written communication of technical information.
• Operational Discipline: Ability to follow SOPs and recipes using metric and English units.
• Learning Agility: Quickly learns and applies new methods and technologies.
• Work Flexibility: Willing to work occasional evenings/weekends and travel up to ~10% annually.
• Microbiology Expertise: Strong skills in microbial techniques and yeast fermentation.
• Data Evaluation: Ability to review and interpret laboratory-generated data.
• Statistics: Working knowledge of experimental design and data analysis.
• Safety: Consistently follows laboratory safety policies and procedures.
• Physical Requirements: Able to safely lift 15–25 pounds.