Job no: 0053518
Location: Parkville
Role type: Full-time (Part-time considered); Fixed-term for up to 3 years
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
Department/School: School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
Salary: Academic Level A – $83,468 – $113,262 (PhD entry Level A.6 - $105,518) p.a. plus 17% super
- Conduct research into downstream processing operations for pharmaceutical protein production with a focus on mathematical modelling
- Join a team of engineers, scientists and computing specialists to develop digitally integrated advanced manufacturing processes and a platform for industry adoption
- Salary packaging, subsidised health and wellbeing services, fitness and cultural clubs, Myki discounts, and a 25% discount on graduate courses to our staff and their immediate families!
About the Role
The ARC Hub for Digital Bioprocess Development is part of the Industrial Transformation Research Hub grant scheme (ITRH Scheme) and aims to assist the Biopharma industry by increasing digital innovation, productivity and competitiveness. The Hub engages an interdisciplinary team of engineers, scientists and computing specialists to develop digitally integrated advanced manufacturing processes and a platform for industry adoption. The program addresses key bioprocessing research challenges and develops new process and digital models that can predict and optimise manufacturing processes, resulting in greater yields, faster and more flexible processes and enhanced product stability. The Hub will transform biopharmaceutical manufacturing and unlock growth opportunities to forge an internationally competitive Australian Biopharma sector.
The ARC Hub for Digital Bioprocess Development is a collaborative program of significant scope and scale. It draws together expertise from The University of Melbourne, University of Technology Sydney and RMIT University, together with CSL Innovation, Patheon and Cytiva and three leading international universities, forming a substantial team.
Your focus of work will be on downstream processing operations for pharmaceutical protein production. These operations consist of a number of operations including depth filtration, affinity (Protein A) chromatography, orthogonal processes for virus removal (low pH incubation and virus filtration), anion exchange (AEX) and cation exchange (CEX) chromatography and a ultrafiltration/diafiltration for buffer exchange and concentration.
As Research Fellow, you will develop and validate mechanistic models of these operations, integrated into software programs such as GoSilico and CADET. You will consider membrane adsorbers and other devices to replace process steps that currently use packed bed systems, with the specific objective maintaining recovery and quality whilst reducing processing times and decreasing cost of goods. You will also providing strong mentorship through the co-supervision of PhD students.
Further information about CSL is available at https://www.csl.com/
Your responsibilities will include:
- Planning and carrying out research on the research project including both mathematical modelling work and experimental work
- Developing effective timelines and milestones based on goals of the research program
- Liaising with collaborators and a variety of internal and external stakeholders to foster collaborative partnerships and working with teams to achieve joint outputs and outcomes
- Participating in Hub meetings and workshops and contributions to the broader Hub program
- Preparing and publish research outcomes in conferences and journals and other scholarly outputs to a high academic standard
- Who We Are Looking For
We are looking for a Research Fellow with a sound understanding of the fundamentals of engineering including mass transfer, packed bed operations, process control and mathematical model development. You will work well with industry partners to achieve applied outcomes and work with others across the sector to achieve industry impact and sector transformation. Your ability to work independently, effectively engaging with stakeholders will be key to your success in this role.
You will also have:
- A postgraduate research degree at PhD level (or near completion) in chemical or biochemical engineering, mathematical process modelling or biotechnology
- High proficiency in mathematics, preferably related to mechanistic models
- A record of high-quality research as evidenced by publications in leading journals and at conferences commensurate with opportunity
- An understanding of bioprocessing and cell culture will be highly regarded, as will be experience working with Python.
For further information regarding responsibilities and requirements, please refer to the attached PD.
This role requires that the successful candidate must undergo and maintain an up-to-date Working with Children Check. This is essential to guarantee a secure environment for all individuals at the University. In the case the selected candidate doesn't have a valid Working with Children Check, they will be able to apply for the WWCC as part of the initial onboarding procedures.
Please note: Visa sponsorship is available for this position.
Your New Team – School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
The School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering encompasses both the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Department of Biomedical Engineering. This fusion of engineering disciplines provides a dynamic and interdisciplinary environment that is world leading in both research and teaching.
https://eng.unimelb.edu.au/about/departments/school-of-chemical-and-biomedical-engineering
What We Offer You!
In addition, we offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a range of benefits, including generous leave provisions, salary packaging, health and well-being services and discounts on graduate courses. For more information, check out our benefits page!
About the University of Melbourne
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Be Yourself
The University of Melbourne values the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and welcomes and celebrates diversity. First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, parents, carers, people of all ages, abilities and genders, and people of diverse ethnicity, nationality and faith are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live. For more information, please visit our Diversity and Inclusion page.
We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require reasonable adjustments, please contact the employee listed on the first page of the Position Description found below, with an email containing your name and contact details for a confidential discussion. Please ensure your email is titled "Reasonable Adjustments Request".
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians, with unprecedented investment to attract, nurture and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. Tangible support through a range of programs and initiatives will ensure that you personally succeed and flourish while at the University of Melbourne.
For further information, including our 2023-2027 Indigenous strategy please visit -https://about.unimelb.edu.au/reconciliation/murmuk-djerring
Join Us!
If you feel this role is right for you, please apply with the following documents:
- Resume
- Cover Letter outlining your interest and experience
- The responses against the Selection Criteria^ (found in the Position Description)
^For information to help you with compiling short statements to answer the selection criteria and competencies, please go to http://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/selection-criteria
If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please feel free to contact Shabon Nawabi via email at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au, ensuring that you include the Position Number and the Job Title as the subject. Please do not share your application to this email address.
If you have any questions regarding the job, please follow the details listed on the Position Description.
Position Description
