UPDATE – THESE POSITIONS HAVE BEEN FILLED. Richmond, Maine — Kennebec River Biosciences, an aquatic animal health testing laboratory and USDA-licensed producer of autogenous fish vaccines, is now hiring for the following two positions:  Laboratory Technician, and Molecular Biologist.  Both positions are at KRB’s facility in Richmond. Details of each position are as follows: Molecular Biologist Growing global aquatic animal health company seeking a motivated individual with experience in molecular biology. Undergraduate degree and related laboratory experience, interest in microbiology, ability to work in a team environment, accuracy, efficiency and good work ethics required. Eligible candidate must be able to carry out current protocols and optimize/develop new molecular assays, problem-solve, work independently, prioritize tasks and train/supervise staff. Salary commensurate with experience. Job Type: Full-time Required experience:  2+ years in molecular biology Required license or certification: Driver’s license Required education: Bachelor’s degree or higher Laboratory Technician Entry-level position in aquatic animal health laboratory. An interest in microbiology, ability to follow protocols and perform repetitive tasks, attention to detail, accuracy, efficiency and good work ethics required. Educational background in Microbiology or Biological Sciences and/or laboratory experience preferred. Position activities consist of laboratory preparation and clean-up, finfish and shellfish necropsy, sample collection and processing, and preliminary laboratory evaluations. Moderate lifting, physical activity and some travel also required. Salary commensurate with experience. Job Type: Temporary Required license or certification:  Driver’s...

Scientist eager to “develop skills and contribute to a dynamic team” Richmond, Maine — Kennebec River Biosciences today announced its hiring of Mandy Hufstader as clinical laboratory technician. Hufstader has an extensive background in biological laboratories like KRB, having worked as a lab technician for 15 years in her native Australia. Most recently, she worked as teaching services coordinator at the University of Melbourne’s Department of Zoology. In this capacity she provided support to both undergraduate practical classes and to departmental research projects, supervised other laboratory staff, and handled purchasing, procurement and equipment maintenance. Prior to her years at the University, Hufstader had worked at the Bartter Vaccine Production Laboratory, at the Cancer Research Unit and Microbiology/Virology Research Laboratory at the University of Newcastle in New South Wales, and at the Royal Children’s Hospital. “KRB offers me a challenging opportunity in biological sciences where I can develop my skills, and contribute to a dynamic laboratory team,” said Hufstader. “It’s an excellent fit for me.” “Mandy is conscientious, efficient and pleasant to be around,” said Lab Director Dr. Cem Giray. “She has quickly become a very liked and respected member of our team and no doubt well-placed to soon take on a leadership role in our company.” Hufstader’s background will help Kennebec River Biosciences continue to grow its capacity to provide top-quality diagnostics and inspections for aquatic species, as well as its first-in-class USDA-licensed autogenous vaccines. By identifying viral or bacterial pathogens of concern and by isolating the specific strain(s) found at a client’s facility, KRB is able to target its vaccines to the precise needs of the customer. Hufstader enjoys camping and travel. She has served as an emergency warden, holds First Aid Level 2 competency, and is an avid distance...

Richmond, Maine — Kennebec River Biosciences today celebrated its 20th year in business, providing solutions for aquaculture, hatcheries and others concerned with fish and shellfish health. Formerly known as Micro Technologies, KRB was established on April 22, 1996 at 43 Main St in downtown Richmond. Initially focused on providing health testing such as diagnostics and screenings for aquatic animals, KRB has since expanded to provide solutions such as autogenous vaccines, regulatory consultation, and contract research. While KRB at first served local customers, it now serves hundreds of clients ranging from Mexico to Vietnam and from Canada to Indonesia, and has tested hundreds of species of fish, shellfish and other aquatic organisms. Lab and vaccine production space has expanded into multiple adjacent buildings. KRB is today the largest commercial fish health lab in North America and offers more USDA/APHIS-approved assays for aquatic animal export certification than any other laboratory. Thanks to careful identification and isolation of more virulent pathogens, KRB is able to produce highly targeted, custom vaccines. As part of a proactive, well-structured fish health program, vaccination can help hatcheries and aquaculture enterprises reduce costs, improve growth and survival, and improve their overall...

British-born researcher “keen to work at the forefront of marine biological sciences.” Kennebec River Biosciences today announced its hiring of Ben Coupland as molecular biologist. Coupland has an extensive background in microbiology, pathology and biochemistry.  As scientific officer at the Institute of Cancer Research in Sutton, England, a leading cancer research facility, his work was published in four leading scientific journals.  While there, he provided clinical diagnostic service to the Royal Marsden Hospital, operated DNA extraction, Sanger sequencing machines and an institute-wide sequencing service, maintained lab spaces and equipment, completed Sanger validation and MLPA confirmation of NGS data, and trained new staff on laboratory techniques, application and auditing of ISO15189:2012 standards. “I enjoyed immensely the challenges of working in a globally-respected cancer research center,” said Coupland, “but I was also keen to make the move to the USA and to work at the forefront of marine biological sciences at Kennebec River Biosciences.” “Ben is a terrific addition to our staff,” said Lab Director Dr. Cem Giray.  “His talents and experience will enable us to do more for our customers in aquaculture and elsewhere in the blue biotechnology space.” Coupland’s background allows Kennebec River Biosciences to further expand its world-class diagnostic and health certification work for fish, shellfish and other aquatic animals.  As a molecular biologist at KRB, Coupland will put to work his extensive experience in with microbial identification, genetics, cell culture and bacterial transformation experiments to help identify pathogens causing disease in fish and shellfish farms as well as wild fisheries.  This careful identification and isolation of virulent pathogens by molecular biologists like Coupland is what enables Kennebec River Biosciences to design and produce the most effective custom vaccines, helping fish farmers and hatchery or nursery managers to avoid losses due to related diseases while also reducing treatment...

Seth Berry, KRB’s Vice President for Business Development, was profiled in the latest MaineBiz.  Questions focused on his transition from leadership in the public sector to the private sector, and his impressions of the laboratory and its clients. As former House Majority Leader in the Maine Legislature, Berry calls Kennebec River Biosciences “the kind of business that we want to grow more of here in...