Microbiology Ops Specialist
Spore.Bio
Operations
New York, NY, USA
USD 80k-110k / year + Equity
About Us
Spore.Bio is a deeptech startup founded in 2023, building the next generation of quality control for Food & Beverage, Cosmetics, and Pharmaceutical manufacturing. Traditional microbiology testing is slow, labor-intensive, and costly. We built something better. Our platform combines advanced optical imaging and deep learning to detect bacterial contamination in 10 minutes, not days.
We're expanding into the US and building our first American team in New York. This role is central to how we deliver our technology to customers.
About the Role
We're looking for a Microbiology Operations Specialist to be one of the cornerstones of deploying our technology in industrial environments across the US. You'll work at the intersection of hands-on lab science and field-based customer engagement, alternating between on-site visits at factories and client labs, and bench work at Spore.Bio's US operations base.
You'll be the expert who installs our technology, validates protocols, trains customer teams, and serves as the critical link between our clients and our internal R&D and product teams. This role is based in New York City, with regular travel to customer sites across the US.
What You'll Do
Deploy our technology on-site at customer manufacturing and QC facilities, supporting users through to full operational autonomy
Validate microbiological results: identification, culture, matrix processing, and environmental monitoring protocols tailored to customer environments
Train operators and lab staff on Spore.Bio instrumentation and workflows; develop and improve on-site best practices
Act as the primary bridge between customer needs and our internal R&D and product teams, capturing feedback and translating it into actionable input
Support lab-based matrix protocol innovation, helping expand the range of samples and environments our technology can address
Troubleshoot field challenges in real time, providing creative, pragmatic solutions at customer sites
Engage regularly with QC managers, lab directors, regulatory affairs teams, and senior operations leaders at major Food, Cosmetics, and Pharma companies
Contribute to internal documentation: SOPs, application notes, field reports, and protocol libraries
Support the sales and field service teams during customer evaluations and pilot programs
About You
Required:
Solid background in applied microbiology: culture techniques, organism identification, microscopy, sample and matrix processing
2–5 years of experience in a microbiology lab, QC environment, or field application role, ideally in Food & Beverage, Cosmetics, or Pharmaceutical manufacturing
Strong client-facing skills and professional demeanor; comfortable engaging with senior stakeholders at major industrial companies
Hands-on, resourceful, and field-oriented - ****you thrive in dynamic environments and are comfortable with ambiguity
Ability to synthesize, document, and communicate technical information clearly, both verbally and in writing
Organized and autonomous; able to manage your own schedule across lab and field responsibilities
Genuine curiosity about new technologies - AI, machine learning, imaging - and how they apply to microbiology
Willingness to travel up to 30–40% for customer site visits across the US
Based in or willing to relocate to New York City
Bonus:
Experience with rapid microbiology methods (RMM) or alternative testing technologies
Familiarity with FDA, FSMA, USP, or EU GMP microbiology compliance frameworks
Experience working with contract labs, CROs, or multi-site QC deployments
Background with microscopy, image analysis, or digital lab tools
Experience in a customer-facing application scientist, field scientist, or technical specialist role
Compensation
Base Salary: $80,000 – $110,000
Bonus: Performance-based annual bonus
Equity: Meaningful early-employee equity grant with standard 4-year vest / 1-year cliff
Compensation will be finalized based on experience and background.
What We Offer
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance (employer-sponsored)
Flexible remote/hybrid setup - you manage your territory
Travel budget for customer visits, conferences, and roadshows
Quarterly in-person gatherings with the global team, including visits to our Paris HQ
Interview Process
30-min introductory call with the Hiring Manager
1-hour technical and business case study, followed by a debrief with team members
1-hour Founders interview
Reference calls
Optional: lab visit in NYC or Paris
Spore.Bio is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive team.