Advice for first laboratory job PCR/Microbiology role

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I've a knew job in a cheese factory that I will be starting in less than two weeks. All I know so far is that it involves PCR. I'm not exactly sure what this job entails, and to make matters worse there was no job spec for this role.

The company is currently contracting out their PCR work, but they said they are having problems with this company, and want to start doing themselves. They've told me they're buying a new 'Bio-Rad' PCR machine and that they will be bringing in a BioRad representative to train me (and presumably other staff too). I don't really know what I'll actually be sequencing when using PCR. I've a feeling it's to do with sequencing the bacteria found in contaminated cheese vats?

Anyway, I seem to have managed to get through the interview, but I'm a bit worried that I'll be in over my dept. You know the way it's possible to get through bioscience degree without properly understanding PCR on doing much of it? Well that's me! So what's the best way for me to prepare for this job?

Although I'm often very eager to be able to conceptualise what's going on at a molecular level, this might take too much of my time. At the end of the day, many people get through these molecular biology assays in a rote manner without thinking about what they're really doing. So with that in mind what are the basic things that I need to do (read up on) to prepare for this job? Can someone guide me towards good online PCR tutorials? Does anyone know what the role of a molecular biologist in a cheese factory would typically would be?

And what sort of questions should I ask my future boss as I email her during the week or two I have to prepare? I don't want to ask anything that will sound stupid!

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Session2019!

I have a microbiology background but long time gone from lab work but i work with various QC departments on some projects. College lab work to industry can be quite different and companies will have very strict procedures on how to carry out testing like PCR. Most likely training will involve 3 observes, 3 practices and 3 official testings in order to get fully signed off. Theres the added benefit of companies having the most up to date equipment in order to do these tests compared to what you may find in college labs.

I wouldn't worry too much until you start training.

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Session2019! wrote: »

I have a microbiology background but long time gone from lab work but i work with various QC departments on some projects. College lab work to industry can be quite different and companies will have very strict procedures on how to carry out testing like PCR. Most likely training will involve 3 observes, 3 practices and 3 official testings in order to get fully signed off. Theres the added benefit of companies having the most up to date equipment in order to do these tests compared to what you may find in college labs.

I wouldn't worry too much until you start training.

I will be.

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Stheno

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Please stop with the bumps