Vestaron is leading a peptide-based revolution in crop protection. The company is dedicated to improving the safety, efficacy, and sustainability of crop protection through migration from chemical pesticides to biological peptides. Vestaron’s peptides provide growers with novel crop protection solutions that address proven targets and provide efficacy on par with or better than traditional chemical pesticides. Its peptides overcome existing resistance issues while offering a desired safety profile for workers, beneficials and the environment. Vestaron has earned global recognition for its work, including the inaugural 2015 Bernard Blum Award for a novel biocontrol solution, the prestigious Green Chemistry Challenge Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2020 and “Best New Biologic Product” at the 2021 IHS Market Crop Science Awards.
The Opportunity:
Vestaron is currently recruiting a Lab Technician to join our team in Durham, NC reporting to the Process Engineering Director. The candidate will work in the Vestaron laboratories in close collaboration with highly skilled scientists and engineers to support the Operations team. Daily work will include a mix of executing experimental plans, operating and maintaining bench and pilot-scale equipment, sample testing, data reporting, maintaining and calibrating instrumentation, and sample coordination for the field team.
Responsibilities:

• Execute experimental plans using bench and pilot-scale bioprocessing and drying equipment to optimize Vestaron’s manufacturing process
• Help to bring new pilot plant online by commissioning various lab and pilot-scale equipment, organizing equipment and materials, and implementing laboratory, maintenance, and safety procedures
• Perform routine maintenance and calibration of equipment and instrumentation
• Troubleshoot equipment and instrumentation
• Maintain a safe and clean workspace
• Follows all required privacy, safety, biohazard and other EHS standards
• Execute a variety of analytical tests as required according to established procedures. This includes HPLC, peptide purification, analytical assays and other physical testing
• Responsible for daily verifications of instruments.
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• HS diploma
• At least 1 year of experience working in analytical, chemical, or life sciences laboratory or manufacturing facility.
• Ambitious, self-driven, and capable of adapting to changing roles and project priorities.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
• Strong written and oral communication.
• Strong data management and organizational skills.
• Proficient with the use of Microsoft Office products.
• Ability to manipulate up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to work on your feet 4-6 hours a day.
• Available to work normal business hours (8am – 5pm Monday – Friday)
• Experience in chemical, biotech, food, pharmaceutical or life science industry is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience with HPLC-UV and other standard analytical lab equipment is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience in GLP/GMP documentation practices is a plus.

Why Join Us?
Join the Revolution…
With an innovative and accomplished leadership team guiding our day-to-day wins, and a Board with a long-term vision that supports our efforts, we set out daily to improve the safety, efficacy, and sustainability of crop protection through migration from synthetic pesticides to peptide-based biopesticides. Our team is empowered to solve problems and find solutions that will advance the science and commercialization of peptides. If you are seeking a career that taps into your talents and contributes to harnessing the Power of Peptides® for the benefit of the environment and industry, we just may have a job for you.
We know our employees are our most valuable asset, and our culture conveys that.
In 2019 we opened our headquarter in the heart of RTP (Research Triangle Park, NC), a global center of Agricultural Technology and Innovation.
We are now located in a new, fully equipped research facility in Durham, NC.
Our R&D center is in Kalamazoo, MI, within the Western Michigan University Innovation Center.
We offer a competitive benefits package, to support the health and happiness of our staff.
We invite you to apply to join a company developing the products, processes, and relationships to lead the advancement of the biological peptide industry, beginning with the pesticide markets.