Joshua Knock
Malvern Link
Summary
Passionate about the potential of biotechnology to transform healthcare and agriculture, I am an accomplished professional with a strong background in diagnostics, microbial resistance, and molecular biology. My diverse skill set in industrial and medical microbiology has been instrumental throughout my career. Currently, I am the Fermentation Supervisor in a commercial pilot plant, where I produce customized agricultural products and bio-stimulants through fermentation. In this role, I collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure the efficient, effective, and profitable operation of the plant. Alongside laboratory duties, I oversee day-to-day operations, foster interdepartmental collaborations, engage with customers, and communicate vital information to relevant stakeholders. Furthermore, I contribute to research and development efforts for new products while optimizing and formulating existing ones to meet market and customer demands.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Fermentation Supervisor
Microferm Limited
09.2023 - Current
- Maintained the proper functioning of the production plant.
- Developed SOPs in line with commercial production and research and development needs.
- Trained employees on fermenter and equipment operation.
- Created a maintenance plan for existing and new equipment.
- Managed laboratory workloads to ensure adequate sample delivery time.
- Provided regular Quality Control updates to the relevant stakeholders.
- Ensured downstream processing met production needs and was optimised for specific customer needs.
- Provided efficient laboratory reagents and consumables inventory and stock management with automated re-ordering.
- Ensure adequate commercial product manufacturing and delivery times.
- Performed evaluations and adaptations of current production methods to improve the production process and remove redundancies.
- Disseminated vital information to customers regarding product application based on needs.
- Managed production stock and inventory levels.
- Devised and implemented processes and procedures to streamline operations.
- Supported creation of detailed technical models to value potential commercial products.
- Created and managed project plans, timelines and budgets.
- Helped meet changing demands by recommending improvements to business systems or procedures.
- Gathered, organized and input information into digital database.
- Maintained database systems to track and analyze operational data.
- Frequently inspected production area to verify proper equipment operation.
- Generated reports detailing findings and recommendations.
- Conducted regular reviews of operations and identified areas for improvement.
- Cultivated positive relationships with vendors to deliver timely and cost-effective supply of services and materials.
- Provided reporting for forecast analysis and ad-hoc reporting in support of decision-making.
Process Technician/Research Technician
Microferm Limited
03.2023 - 08.2023
- Prepared fermenter media for production runs.
- Wrote and presented internal reports based on the execution of experiments and the results.
- Worked with the production team to produce starter cultures, maintain stock levels and assist with the process scale-up.
- Conducted routine microbiology analysis of samples from both trials and production.
- Conducted maintenance and troubleshooting of analytical, operational, and research equipment.
- Maintained a clean and safe environment production and laboratory environment.
- Supported senior management with the creation and enhancement of continuous improvement of research procedures.
- Operated all packing and labeling equipment.
- Provided technical support to all projects and provided research for all developmental teams.
Medical Editor
Cactus Communications
03.2022 - 03.2023
- Provided concise and constructive editorial feedback to writers to improve article and story writing.
- Conducted editorial meetings with staff members to collaborate and review proposed publication suggestions.
- Proofread, edited and evaluated final manuscript copies to verify content aligned with established guidelines.
- Edited manuscripts to ensure final text is in standard scientific English and is free of unclear or unidiomatic sentences.
- Adhered to job-specific guidelines and formatted manuscripts according to target journal specifications, when required.
- Ensured that all subject-specific and language-specific conventions were followed.
- Maintained high client-satisfaction standards.
- Achieved Client Direct editor status based on high quality submissions (3.75/4).
Clinical Research Associate (CRA)
Biopharmaceutical Research Institute (BRI) Rhodes University
03.2021 - 11.2022
- Participated in determining the bioequivalence, bioavailability, and pharmacokinetics of newly developed topical corticosteroids from international pharmaceutical companies, in study sizes of up to 30 participants.
- Multiple roles in each clinical trial including Drug Application, Quality Control Technician, Subject Coordinator and Data Capture.
- Certified GCP clinical trial assistant.
- Strict adherence to ICH-GCP guidelines and sponsor SOPs.
Microbiology Tutor/Demonstrator
Rhodes University
01.2020 - 11.2022
- This role involved actively evaluating and training students on fundamental principles and experimental methods in Microbiology.
- As a tutor I actively assisted groups of students (8-12 per semester) in understanding and completing their practical tasks through demonstrations and experimentation.
- This also included the moderating of practicals, essays, tasks, assessments, and assignments as well as invigilating semester tests.
Sale Assistant
Factorie, CottonOn Group
11.2018 - 01.2019
- Customer service.
- Team communications.
- Stock and inventory management.
Education
Master of Science - Biotechnology
Rhodes University
Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa11.2022
Bachelor of Science Honours - Biotechnology
Rhodes University
Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa12.2019
Bachelor of Science - Microbiology and Biochemistry
Rhodes University
Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa11.2018
Skills
- Analytical and critical thinking
- Good Laboratory/Clinical Practices
- Molecular biology techniques
- Computer literacy (Microsoft Office)
- Clinical, food, medical, molecular, industrial, and pharmaceutical microbiological techniques
- Production/product monitoring, development and improvement
- Upstream and downstream processing
- Laboratory management
- Stock and inventory control
- Communication
- Data analysis
- Standard operating procedures (SOPs)
- Quality control
- Waste Reduction
- People management
- Biostatistics
Certification
- ICDL (September 2012)
- ICH-GCP (January 2021)
- Workplace First Aid (February 2024)
- Root Cause Analysis and Decision Making for Food Manufacturing (July 20242)
- 5S Training (July 2024)
Accomplishments
- Rhodes University Postgraduate Scholarship (2019)
- National Research Foundation (NRF) Postgraduate Bursary Recipient (2019, 2020, 2021)
- Postgraduate researcher included in the UNICEF/NRF collaboration in molecular diagnostics at Rhodes University (2019-2022)
Timeline
Fermentation Supervisor
Microferm Limited
09.2023 - Current
Process Technician/Research Technician
Microferm Limited
03.2023 - 08.2023
Medical Editor
Cactus Communications
03.2022 - 03.2023
Clinical Research Associate (CRA)
Biopharmaceutical Research Institute (BRI) Rhodes University
03.2021 - 11.2022
Microbiology Tutor/Demonstrator
Rhodes University
01.2020 - 11.2022
Sale Assistant
Factorie, CottonOn Group
11.2018 - 01.2019
Master of Science - Biotechnology
Rhodes University
Bachelor of Science Honours - Biotechnology
Rhodes University
Bachelor of Science - Microbiology and Biochemistry
Rhodes University
Similar Profiles
Mayank PareekMayank Pareek
Sap Hana Module User, Oracle ERP User at Adarsh Marketing, Asian Paints Limited ,Berger Paints India Limited, JSW Paints Private LimitedSap Hana Module User, Oracle ERP User at Adarsh Marketing, Asian Paints Limited ,Berger Paints India Limited, JSW Paints Private Limited
KOJO HASTINGSKOJO HASTINGS
CEO at Genelec Capital Limited, Genelec Support Services Limited•Genelec Infrastructure Development Services Limited•Zenith Hygiene Systems Ghana LimitedCEO at Genelec Capital Limited, Genelec Support Services Limited•Genelec Infrastructure Development Services Limited•Zenith Hygiene Systems Ghana Limited
RAKESH JRAKESH J
Network Engineer at EQL FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGIES PRIVATE LIMITED (Formerly name of INDIAFILINGS PRIVATE LIMITED)Network Engineer at EQL FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGIES PRIVATE LIMITED (Formerly name of INDIAFILINGS PRIVATE LIMITED)
Fabian HicksFabian Hicks
Service Advisor at Hills Ford MalvernService Advisor at Hills Ford Malvern
Carrie VaughnCarrie Vaughn
Sales Consultant at Newell Brands RubbermaidSales Consultant at Newell Brands Rubbermaid