BIF Downstream Production Scientist

Our vision is to be a leading public university of technology recognised for our global impact. We are a dynamic and innovative university, ranked by the Times Higher Education as Australia's top young university, and located centrally in one of the world's most liveable cities. With a culturally diverse campus life and extensive international exchange and research programs, UTS prepares graduates for the workplaces of today and tomorrow.

About the BIF

The UTS Biologics Innovation Facility (BIF) is a GMP-like, ISO 9001:2015-certified, pilot-scale biomanufacturing facility comprising PC2 cleanrooms equipped with state-of-the-art single-use bioprocessing and analytical infrastructure. It supports researchers and SMEs in process development, scale-up, and pre-GMP pilot manufacturing across a range of modalities, including monoclonal antibodies, therapeutic proteins, nucleic acids, and cell-based therapies.

The BIF is also Australia's leading provider of industry-aligned GMP biomanufacturing training. It delivers integrated theoretical and hands-on training within an industry-relevant environment, enabling participants to engage directly with end-to-end biomanufacturing workflows, equipment operation, and GMP-aligned practices.

About the Role

Join a multidisciplinary team at the UTS Biologics Innovation Facility (BIF), working at the interface of bioprocess development, pilot-scale manufacturing, and industry-facing biomanufacturing training.

You will work within a GMP-like, ISO 9001:2015-certified biomanufacturing environment, accessing state-of-the-art single-use bioprocessing technologies and contributing directly to the development, optimisation, and scale-up of biologic production processes. This includes monoclonal antibodies, therapeutic proteins, nucleic acid-based products, and vaccines.

In this role, you will contribute to the design, execution, and optimisation of downstream bioprocess workflows, including chromatography and tangential flow filtration (TFF) operations. Your work will span laboratory-scale development through to pilot-scale manufacturing, ensuring processes are robust, scalable, and suitable for pre-GMP and translational application.

You will support process characterisation and optimisation activities, including evaluation of purification performance, impurity clearance, and process robustness within defined quality frameworks. You will also contribute to the translation of laboratory-scale processes into scalable manufacturing workflows aligned with industry expectations for reproducibility, control, and manufacturability.

The position is suited to candidates with strong technical expertise in downstream bioprocessing who are motivated by applied biomanufacturing, process scale-up, and translational impact across the biologics sector.

If successful in applying for this role, you will be responsible for:

• Execute and supervise downstream bioprocessing operations for biologics, including monoclonal antibodies, therapeutic proteins, nucleic acid-based products, and vaccines.
• Operate and troubleshoot chromatography systems (e.g., ÄKTA platforms) and tangential flow filtration (TFF) systems.
• Develop and optimise purification processes, including chromatography (Protein A, ion exchange, mixed-mode, affinity) and TFF-based operations.
• Support process scale-up from laboratory to pilot-scale manufacturing environments.
• Prepare buffers, reagents, and process solutions to defined specifications.
• Monitor process performance using in-process analytics and support interpretation of process data.
• Contribute to process development activities using structured approaches such as Design of Experiments (DoE) and Quality by Design (QbD) principles (where applicable).
• Ensure adherence to aseptic technique and PC2 cleanroom operational requirements.
• Support documentation of process runs, including batch records, SOPs, and technical reports.
• Provide technical mentoring and support to junior staff and trainees in downstream processing techniques.

Quality, Safety and Facility Support

• Maintain high standards of GMP-like operational practice within a cleanroom environment.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001:2015 quality management systems and controlled documentation practices.
• Contribute to SOP development, review, and continuous improvement of downstream workflows.
• Support equipment readiness, maintenance coordination, and consumables management.
• Uphold WHS, biosafety, and contamination control standards across all operations.
• Maintain accurate records, inventory control, and sample traceability.

Training and Engagement

• Deliver hands-on training in downstream bioprocessing techniques to students, researchers, and industry partners.
• Support development of training materials and structured workflows for facility users.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders, including academic collaborators and industry clients, to support project delivery.
• Contribute to a culture of technical excellence, operational discipline, and continuous improvement within the facility.

Remuneration & Benefits

Base Salary Range: $98,792 to $106,966 pa (HEW 6)

This role attracts 17% superannuation (pension) in addition to the base salary.

UTS staff also benefit from a wide range of Employee Benefits include flexible work practices, generous parental leave and salary packaging opportunities.

This position is full-time and appointment will be made on a fixed term basis for 3 years.

How To Apply

Please click the Apply link to be taken to the UTS website.  Here you can download:

• full details of the application process;
• a copy of the position statement; and
• information on remuneration, benefits, terms and conditions

Please ensure that the file name for each document submitted includes IRC338560. 

Specific enquiries or issues with your application may be directed to the UTS Recruitment Team at ***********@uts.edu.au

Please be advised that as part of the selection process that you may be requested to deliver a presentation, the audience for which may include individuals not on the Selection Panel. 

Closing Date: Friday, 21st of August 2026 at 11.59pm (AEST)

Applicants must have current and valid work rights in Australia.

Please note: this position has been readvertised, previous applicants need not apply

UTS prioritises safety, respect, and inclusion for every member of our community. In support of this, and in line with our statutory obligations under the National Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence 2026, all prospective employees must declare any past investigations relating to gender-based violence. Employment at UTS is contingent upon completion of this declaration, and, where necessary, assessment of any identified risk factors. We appreciate your role in upholding the standards and behaviour expected of our community.

Accessibility

Please note: If you have a disability that requires adjustment to the recruitment process or an alternative application pathway please contact ***********@uts.edu.au for assistance.

At UTS, the concepts of equity and social justice are key to our core and purpose - we are recognised widely as supporting inclusivity and valuing diversity through our Wingara Indigenous Employment Strategy, Social Impact Framework and UTS Access and Inclusion Plan.

Cited as a WGEA Employer of Choice since the inception of the award, we are now among the first Australian institutions to receive the Athena SWAN Bronze Accreditation for our commitment to action addressing gender equity in the STEMM disciplines.