Food Testing Laboratory Specialist

A specialized laboratory is seeking an experienced Laboratory Specialist to support laboratory testing, quality control, honey analysis, bee health diagnostics, and research activities in Sharjah, UAE. The position involves working with honey, bee-derived products, biological samples, raw materials, finished products, environmental samples, and water.

The role is suitable for professionals with experience in microbiology, food science, biotechnology, molecular biology, analytical laboratory testing, or related scientific disciplines. Experience with honey analysis, food quality testing, molecular diagnostics, or accredited laboratory environments will be an advantage.

Job Responsibilities

Laboratory Testing and Analysis

• Perform physical, chemical, microbiological, and molecular testing of honey and bee-derived products.
• Analyze raw materials, in-process samples, finished products, environmental samples, and water samples.
• Conduct laboratory analysis for key honey quality parameters, including moisture, HMF, pH, electrical conductivity, sugar profile, ash content, and related specifications.
• Perform pollen analysis and other authenticity and quality assessments for honey products.
• Conduct antioxidant activity and other functional or nutritional analyses where required.
• Perform microbiological testing to verify product safety, hygiene, and compliance with established specifications.
• Prepare samples, reagents, standards, controls, and laboratory materials according to approved procedures.
• Record analytical results accurately and maintain complete laboratory traceability.
• Investigate abnormal or unexpected analytical results and communicate findings to the relevant quality team.

Bee Health and Diagnostic Testing

• Receive, prepare, label, and analyze samples related to bees, brood, queens, wax, honey, and hive materials.
• Support laboratory investigations related to bee diseases, colony health, and disease surveillance.
• Perform or support microbiological, molecular, and pathological testing of bee-related samples.
• Assist investigations into colony mortality, disease outbreaks, pesticide exposure, and environmental contamination.
• Support DNA-based testing and genetic analysis associated with bee lineage, queen breeding, and colony genetic consistency.
• Maintain accurate records of samples received for bee health investigations.
• Prepare laboratory reports summarizing analytical findings and observations.
• Maintain appropriate sample storage and traceability throughout the testing process.

Quality Control and Product Verification

• Inspect and test raw materials, packaging materials, in-process materials, and finished products against approved specifications.
• Perform routine in-process quality checks during honey processing and related manufacturing activities.
• Review laboratory results and promptly report out-of-specification results.
• Support product release decisions through laboratory verification and analytical testing.
• Ensure all samples are correctly identified, documented, tested, and retained where required.
• Monitor trends in laboratory results and identify recurring quality issues.
• Work closely with quality assurance and production teams to investigate laboratory-related quality concerns.

Laboratory Equipment and Instrument Management

• Operate laboratory equipment and analytical instruments safely and accurately.
• Perform routine equipment checks, verification, calibration, and maintenance activities.
• Monitor the performance and condition of laboratory instruments.
• Maintain equipment calibration, qualification, maintenance, and service records.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance and calibration activities with approved service providers.
• Identify equipment malfunctions and report failures promptly.
• Ensure laboratory instruments remain suitable for their intended analytical applications.

Laboratory Documentation and Compliance

• Prepare laboratory worksheets, analytical reports, Certificates of Analysis (COAs), logbooks, and related technical documentation.
• Maintain laboratory records in accordance with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and Good Documentation Practices (GDP).
• Follow applicable GMP requirements for laboratory activities supporting product manufacturing.
• Maintain sample identification, traceability, testing, and retention records.
• Support compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory management and testing requirements.
• Ensure laboratory data is accurate, complete, attributable, legible, contemporaneous, and traceable.
• Maintain controlled laboratory procedures, methods, forms, and records.

Research and Development Support

• Support research projects involving honey, bee products, natural products, nutraceuticals, functional foods, and related applications.
• Assist with analytical method development, optimization, verification, and validation.
• Support stability testing and shelf-life studies.
• Conduct laboratory analysis required for new product development.
• Assist in evaluating new analytical techniques and laboratory methodologies.
• Contribute analytical data to technical reports, research projects, and scientific publications.
• Support development of improved testing procedures for honey and bee-derived products.

Regulatory, Accreditation and Audit Support

• Support internal and external laboratory audits and accreditation assessments.
• Prepare laboratory records and technical documentation required for regulatory inspections.
• Support certification and compliance audits, including food safety and organic certification assessments.
• Participate in proficiency testing and inter-laboratory comparison programs.
• Maintain laboratory readiness for ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation and other applicable assessments.
• Provide accurate analytical records and supporting evidence during audits.
• Support corrective and preventive actions related to laboratory findings.

Laboratory Safety and Biosafety

• Follow laboratory safety procedures, PPE requirements, and approved biosafety protocols.
• Handle chemicals, reagents, biological samples, and laboratory materials safely.
• Follow appropriate procedures for laboratory waste segregation and disposal.
• Maintain laboratory cleanliness and contamination-control practices.
• Report laboratory incidents, spills, equipment failures, and unsafe conditions promptly.
• Ensure safe storage and handling of chemicals, biological materials, and laboratory samples.

Continuous Improvement and Laboratory Systems

• Recommend improvements to laboratory testing methods and analytical procedures.
• Participate in validation and implementation of new laboratory equipment and analytical technologies.
• Support digital laboratory systems and Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) implementation.
• Improve sample tracking, laboratory documentation, and data management processes.
• Maintain professional competency through technical training, scientific development, and continuous learning.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Laboratory Science, Microbiology, Food Science, Food Technology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline.
• Master’s degree in Biology or Microbiology is advantageous for this specialist-level position.
• Minimum 4 years of relevant laboratory experience is preferred.
• Experience in food, honey, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, environmental, veterinary, analytical, or natural product laboratories.
• Practical knowledge of microbiological and chemical laboratory testing.
• Experience with honey analysis or food quality analysis is an advantage.
• Knowledge of molecular biology, DNA testing, or biological sample analysis is beneficial.
• Experience operating laboratory analytical instruments and preparing Certificates of Analysis (COAs).
• Understanding of laboratory quality systems and documentation requirements.
• Experience working in an accredited laboratory environment is preferred.
• Knowledge of GLP, GMP, GDP, HACCP, and ISO/IEC 17025 requirements.
• Strong analytical, documentation, reporting, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate laboratory records and ensure sample traceability.
• Ability to work safely with chemicals, biological materials, reagents, and laboratory equipment.

Recommended Certifications and Training

Professionals applying for this type of laboratory position may benefit from certifications or training in:

• Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
• ISO/IEC 17025 Laboratory Management
• HACCP
• ISO 22000 Food Safety Management Systems
• Laboratory Biosafety
• Internal Auditor Training
• Laboratory Instrument Calibration and Validation
• Microbiological Testing
• Molecular Biology and DNA Analysis
• Laboratory Data Integrity
• LIMS and Laboratory Digital Systems

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