Senior Research Assistant, mRNA Manufacturing

• Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN)

• Crucial role supporting mRNA manufacturing processes at BASE Facility

• Collaborate with world class researchers in state-of-the-art facilities

• Be part of an organisation with a meaningful purpose and impact

• Based at our vibrant St Lucia Campus

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world.

Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:

• 26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave

• 17% superannuation contributions

• 17.5% annual leave loading

• Access to flexible working arrangements

• Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family

• On campus childcare options

• Cheap parking (from just $5.75 a day)

• Salary packaging options

About This Opportunity 

You will provide technical research support and subject matter expertise in support of mRNA manufacturing processes. You will perform analytical methods to assess the quality and characteristics of mRNA products throughout the manufacturing process. This role plays a crucial part in supporting mRNA manufacturing processes and ensuring the production of high-quality mRNA products in our cutting-edge manufacturing facility.

Key responsibilities will include: 

• Coordinates aspects of mRNA products manufacturing, including template synthesis, purification, and IVT processes.

• Validate and execute analytical assays for the characterisation of mRNA quality attributes, including assays for purity, integrity, and stability.

• Assists in the design of optimisation studies, under supervision of senior staff to improve manufacturing processes for efficiency, yield, and quality.

• Maintain accurate and detailed records of experiments, procedures, and results. Generate and follow Standard Operating Procedures with a high attention to detail.

• Troubleshoots issues with manufacturing process/technical equipment, proposing and implementing solutions to ensure smooth operations under the guidance of supervisor.

• Undertakes maintenance and upkeep of facilities and equipment

Safety

• Contributes to the safe and efficient operation of research equipment, infrastructure, methodologies and protocols

• Ensures the appropriate storage, handling and disposal of chemicals, equipment, stores and/or samples/specimens

Research and administrative support

• Assists with ordering research consumables

• Undertakes literature searches and reviews

• Assists with routine team administration

• Assists with preparing reports, graphs, figures and presentations on research outcomes at different stages of the research cycle outcomes

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Any other duties as reasonably directed by your supervisor

This role is subject to The University’s Code of Conduct .  

This is a full-time (100%), fixed-term position for up to 12 months at HEW level 5.

The full-time equivalent base salary will be in the range $77,396.47 - $86,029.78, plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%. The total FTE package will be up to $90,553.87 - $100,654.84 annually. As this role is covered by an Enterprise Agreement, you will also receive regular remuneration increases – at least once a year.

About You  

• Completion of a degree level qualification in Molecular Biology/Biochemistry/ Analytical Chemistry or completion of a Diploma; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training

• Excellent practical research skills and experience in laboratory techniques, including PCR, nucleic acid extraction, purification and in-vitro transcription (IVT).

• Experience using analytical techniques, including HPLC, FPLC, and AGE.

• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues

• Ability to work independently on routine procedures

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Well-organised, methodical and self-motivated

• Previous experience in mRNA manufacturing or nucleotide analytics in an industry setting would be considered favourably.

In addition, the following mandatory requirements apply:

• Work Rights: You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment. 

Questions? 

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Dr Natasha Chaudhary, [email protected]

For application queries, please contact [email protected] stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line. 
 

All applicants must upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

• Cover letter addressing the ‘About You’ section  

• Resume 

Other Information 

At UQ we know that our greatest strengths come from our diverse mix of colleagues, this is reflected in our ongoing commitment to creating an environment focused on equity, diversity and inclusion .  We ensure that we are always attracting, retaining and promoting colleagues who are representative of the diversity in the broader community, whether that be gender identity , LGBTQIA+ , cultural and/or linguistic , Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples , or people with a disability . Accessibility requirements and/or adjustments can be directed to [email protected] .

If you are a current employee (including casual staff and HDR scholars) or hold an unpaid/affiliate appointment, please login to your staff Workday account and visit the internal careers board to apply for this opportunity. Please do NOT apply via the external job board.

Applications close Wednesday 3 April 2024 at 11.00pm AEST (Job Reference Number – R-31708). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for April.