Senior Microbiologist - Decatur, IL

Senior Microbiologist, Process Micro Team – Decatur, IL
Research & Development
This is an exempt level role.

Position Summary
The Senior Microbiologist, Process Micro Team position requires an experienced and lab-focused individual to advance ADM’s microbial process research and innovation capabilities. This role will emphasize laboratory experimentation, analytical method development, and data-driven insights to support process optimization and contamination control strategies across ADM’s production network.
The successful candidate will apply deep expertise in microbiology, molecular biology, and instrumentation to generate actionable scientific data, lead R&D initiatives, and collaborate cross-functionally with colleagues in Research, Engineering, and Operations. This position will report to Jeanette Skaluba, R&D Director, Process Micro.

Job Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and interpret laboratory experiments focused on microbial process understanding, optimization, and contamination control.
• Develop and apply advanced analytical and molecular biology techniques (e.g., qPCR, sequencing, flow cytometry, spectroscopic and chromatographic methods) to characterize microbial systems.
• Lead R&D projects and initiatives originating from the Process Micro team, coordinating timelines, resources, and communication across functional groups.
• Support plant operations through data-driven insights and lab-based troubleshooting of process microbiology issues.
• Collaborate with plant and research teams to translate laboratory findings into scalable process improvements and technology implementations.
• Develop and maintain laboratory instrumentation methods and data analysis workflows to ensure high-quality, reproducible results.
• Contribute to contamination control strategies and sanitary process design through experimental validation and risk-based approaches.
• Communicate findings, recommendations, and technical reports to stakeholders across R&D and Operations.
• Ability to travel to ADM locations approximately 15–20% of the time.

Education

• BS degree or higher in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Bioprocess Engineering, Food Safety, or a related scientific discipline.
• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) preferred.

Experience

• With a BS, 10+ yrs of combined experience in industrial microbiology, bioprocess development, or related laboratory environments.
• With an MS, 7+ yrs of combined experience in industrial microbiology, bioprocess development, or related laboratory environments.
• With a PhD, 3+ yrs of combined experience in industrial microbiology, bioprocess development, or related laboratory environments.
• Demonstrated proficiency in molecular and analytical techniques relevant to microbial process characterization.
• Experience with experimental design, data analytics, and interpretation of complex biological datasets.
• Proven ability to manage projects and deliver results in cross-functional settings.

Skills and Proficiencies

• Strong technical expertise in microbiological and molecular analytical methods.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and software for biological and process data (e.g., statistical packages, visualization tools).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse, multidisciplinary teams and contribute to ADM’s innovation strategy through research excellence

Before applying for an exempt, non-exempt or hourly job opportunity, you are expected to initiate a discussion and share your intentions with your supervisor.  * If you’ve been in your current position for more than 18 months, supervisor approval is not required.  * If you’ve been in your current position for less than 18 months, verbal supervisor approval is required.  
​Hiring Manager- Jeanette Skaluba   ​
Recruiter- Amy Schroeder 
 

Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours.

If hired, employees will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

The pay range for this position is expected to be between:

About ADM

At ADM, we unlock the power of nature to provide access to nutrition worldwide. With industry-advancing innovations, a complete portfolio of ingredients and solutions to meet any taste, and a commitment to sustainability, we give customers an edge in solving the nutritional challenges of today and tomorrow. We’re a global leader in human and animal nutrition and the world’s premier agricultural origination and processing company. Our breadth, depth, insights, facilities and logistical expertise give us unparalleled capabilities to meet needs for food, beverages, health and wellness, and more. From the seed of the idea to the outcome of the solution, we enrich the quality of life the world over. Learn more at www.adm.com.