Mycology Internship

**Job Summary**:
Want to revolutionise the packaging industry?

As a mycology intern at Mushroom Material, your chosen project will aim to reflect both your interests and strengths. In general, we are looking for a team player who is keen to dig deep into one area across the production process and assist in identifying options for process improvement. This can include, but is not limited to, looking at our inputs, such as raw materials, and exploring cost-effective alternatives, analysing how various raw materials impact final material outcome by conducting material testing on mycelium-based materials, or exploring options to help develop larger-scale production. If you have the ability to problem solve, think critically, and can communicate your findings effectively we’d love to hear from you

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Explore substrate selection and their influence on mycelial growth to develop novel material properties.
- Perform research on more cost-effective raw materials and alternative production processes to improve profitability and sustainability.
- Contribute to the ongoing development of current protocols, by actively participating in the production tasks, identifying inefficiencies and recommending optimisations for better productivity.
- Conduct mycological research to identify and analyse a variety of in-house filamentous fungal strains that can be used to produce sustainable packaging materials.
- Manage mycelium growth and maintenance in controlled environments.
- Assist the production team in developing prototypes to assist with scaling up production capacity to meet growing demand.
- Perform quality control testing on the production line to keep our product as reliable as possible.
- Perform end-of-line product testing to ensure our product is meeting a suite of desired final material properties.
- **Update SOPs** to reflect the latest production processes, ensuring documentation is accurate and up-to-date.
- Maintain detailed documentation of research findings, testing results, and production processes, ensuring that all experiments and tasks are accurately tracked.

**Desirable Qualifications and Experience/Knowledge**:

- Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Mycology, Biology, Microbiology, Materials Science, Biotechnology, Plant Pathology or a related field.
- Preferable experience working with mycelium, or fungi, in a research or industrial setting.
- Experience with aseptic technique and conducting laboratory work.
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to **document and track experiments** effectively.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team and communicate scientific findings effectively.
- A passion for sustainability and an understanding of the environmental impact of traditional packaging materials.

**Benefits**:
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- Opportunity to work on real-world projects, gaining experience in manufacturing of sustainable materials.
- A supportive and collaborative work culture focused on innovation and learning.
- Flexible work hours and potential for work-from-home (WFH) arrangements if not required for on-site tasks.
- Mentorship from experienced scientists and opportunities to learn new technologies.
- Be part of a growing team in a startup environment that values creativity and problem-solving.

**About Us**:
Mushroom Material is an Auckland/ Singapore startup and a leading innovator in sustainable materials. We specialise in products made from mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms, as an alternative to Expanded Polystyrene Styrofoam. We are committed to revolutionising the packaging industry with eco-friendly, biodegradable alternatives that reduce the environmental impact of traditional materials. Join our team and be a part of the mushroom-based packaging revolution

**How to Apply**: