Microbiology Lead Scientist - [Archived Advertisement]

Acknowledgement of Country

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Child Safety

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.

The Opportunity

• Bring microbiology experience for the upstream process in a Biologics Research and Development environment!
• Be a part of a highly collaborative and cohesive manufacturing team!
• Join CSIRO – Australia’s National Science Agency!

CSIRO’s Manufacturing Business Unit brings together multi-disciplinary scientific and engineering capabilities using world-class infrastructure to partner with industry in order to develop innovative products and processes to allow Australian manufacturers to be globally competitive and environmentally sustainable. The role is a part of the Biologics Research and Development Group that helps clients translate their research from the laboratory bench to health, medtech and biotech solutions.

As a Microbiology Lead Scientist, reporting to the Group Leader of Biologics R&D, you’ll be a part of the Biologics Production – Microbial team that produces Biologics for use in vaccine and therapeutic development, drug discovery programs, biosensors and as reagents to further our clients’ research. The team develops manufacturable processes and transfers these processes for the manufacture of clinical material.

This is an ongoing opportunity with dual responsibilities for just the initial 1.5 years. On one hand, you’ll be leading the microbial team of four to eight scientists training and developing them to delivery as per the project scope and on the other hand you’ll be directly engaging with the clients to lead construct design and microbial cell engineering, optimisation of biologics production through small-scale screening to scale up in stirred tank bioreactors. You will develop upstream processes that translate to GMP manufacture for Phase I clinical trials, using hosts such as E coli, P pastoris and S cerevisiae.

If you are agile and adaptable, responsive to changes, can align with the group strategy and have experience in managing a team and developing and delivering on projects then do not hesitate to apply.

Your duties will include:

• Initially leading a vibrant Biologics Production – Microbial team, promoting a performance culture aligned with the CSIRO values and ensuring growth and development of the team.
• Ensuring highest standards of safety, including compliance with all OGTR and Microbiological laboratory regulations
• Leading projects by interacting with clients from project scoping and budgeting and drafting of quotes and contracts to successful delivery and owning client satisfaction.
• Communicating research results to clients and the scientific community through oral and written reports and preparing documentation for patent applications (where relevant).
• Providing scientific leadership in areas such as choice of production host, construct design and cell engineering.
• Developing upstream microbiological processes that can be transferred to a GMP facility for the manufacture of clinical product.
• Developing processes for the production of small molecule bioactives, including psychoactives and other Schedule 9 poisons.

Location: Clayton, Victoria
Salary: AU$121k – AU$142k plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure: Indefinite [Note: The role of a senior scientist at CSIRO is an ongoing position, however, the Team Leader role is a specified term role initially for
only up to 1.5 years.]
Reference: 94087

To be considered you will need:

• A PhD (or an equivalent combination of qualifications and research experience) in a relevant field such as Microbiology, Biochemistry, Process Engineering
• Demonstrated experience in planning, leading and delivering projects for external stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to undertake original, creative and innovative research by generating and pursuing novel ideas and solutions to scientific research problems.
• Extensive experience in the production of Biologics from microbial hosts
• Demonstrated ability to lead people.

For full details about this role and a few desirable selection criterion, please review the Position Description.

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens, Australian Permanent Residents. Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Flexible Working Arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. 

Diversity and Inclusion

We are working hard to recruit people representing the diversity across our society, and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish. 

About CSIRO

At CSIRO Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact. 

CSIRO is committed to values-based leadership to inspire performance and unlock the potential of our people.

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs, whether we are undertaking research, engaging with the public or nurturing future scientists in person or online. Source – CSIRO Child Safe policy 2023

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

How to Apply

Please apply on-line and provide a cover letter and CV that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role.

We strongly encourage you to apply early as we will be reviewing applications as they come through. CSIRO reserves the right to withdraw this ad prior to the closing date if required. 

Applications Close

17 September 2023, 11:00pm AEST