Research Engineer, ATMF

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Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

At UBC we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research innovation and learning for all faculty staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

The Advanced Therapeutics Manufacturing Facility (ATMF) is a new CFI-funded project and part of Canadas Immuno-Engineering and Biomanufacturing Hub (CIEBH) a UBC-led national research hub that aims to align the critical mass of immune-engineering with biomanufacturing and public health strengths concentrated in BC. This multi-year multi-phase initiative aims to build a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) biomanufacturing core facility to produce advanced therapeuticssuch as cells mRNA vaccines and ancillary plasmid DNAessential for early-phase clinical trials addressing current health challenges and strengthening Canadas pandemic preparedness

The Research Engineer Process Development position aims to develop and facilitate the research being conducted at the ATMF. Specifically the engineer in this position will conduct research contribute to coordinate and lead selected technical workstreams to advance biomanufacturing technologies for various therapeutic products including plasmids mRNA/LNP formulations cell therapy products and related advanced therapeutics workflows. This role involves designing and optimizing upstream and downstream processes performing data analysis developing robust manufacturing protocols maintaining laboratory equipment supporting technology transfer to GMP production environments and collaborating with cross-functional some instances the Engineer will also supervise junior staff who are conducting research. The Research Engineer will work with the ATMF Process Development Manager Project Lead and staff to prepare reports and peer-reviewed publications present research results at scientific conferences to funding organizations and other external stakeholders.

The position is based in a laboratory at the ATMF facility and pilot-scale laboratories. Travel will be required between multiple laboratory sites including BCCHR BC Cancer and UBC Point Grey Campus.

Organizational Status

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. Since 1915 UBCs entrepreneurial spirit has embraced innovation and challenged the status quo. UBC encourages its students staff and faculty to challenge convention lead discovery and explore new ways of learning. At UBC bold thinking is given a place to develop into ideas that can change the world.

Our Vision: To Transform Health for Everyone

Ranked among the worlds top medical schools with the fifth-largest MD enrollment in North America the UBC Faculty of Medicine is a leader in both the science and the practice of medicine. Across British Columbia more than 12000 faculty and staff are training the next generation of doctors and health care professionals making remarkable discoveries and helping to create the pathways to better health for our communities at home and around the world.

The Facultycomprised of approximately 2200 administrative support technical/research and management and professional staff as well approximately 650 full-time academic and over 10000 clinical faculty membersis composed of 19 academic basic science and/or clinical departments 3 schools and 25 research centres and institutes. Together with its University and Health Authority partners the Faculty delivers innovative programs and conducts research in the areas of health and life sciences. Faculty staff and trainees are located at university campuses clinical academic campuses in hospital settings and other regionally based centres across the province.

The UBC Vancouver Campus is located on the traditional ancestral and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəyəm (Musqueam) people. The City of Vancouver is located on Musqueam Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations territory.

The Research Engineer will report to the Manager of Process Development Nucleic Acid Therapies ATMF.

Works in the Process and Analytical Development lab with other research and technical staff.

Supervises junior technical staff students or trainees overseeing the team conducting specific experiments in bioprocess process and analytical development.

Consults with ATMF managers staff and other UBC departments universities research institutes vendors and industry partners in the bioprocess design technology assessment equipment selection and workflow implementation.

Work Performed

Design experimental and analytical investigations related to bioprocess engineering of advanced therapeutic products and/or ancillary materials including plasmids mRNA-LNP cell therapy products biologics and related advanced therapeutics.

Execute and lead optimization of the assigned upstream and downstream process development workflows which may include pDNA synthesis IVT cell culture transformation transfection fermentation purification filtration formulation and analytical characterization. This includes planning and conducting experiments operating specialized equipment analyzing process-performance data troubleshooting and independently recommending or implementing changes to process parameters or methods within approved project objectives and in consultation with ATMF Process Development lead QA/QC and GMP manufacturing personnel as required.

Conduct experiments collate data analyze results and communicate findings in a timely and scientifically rigorous manner.

Develop or apply mathematical statistical and analytical models to support process assessments including yield purity potency stability reproducibility and process performance evaluation.

Assess and implement bioprocess design alternatives using experimental data engineering principles risk assessment and fit-for-purpose process development strategies.

Independently perform verify and document complex design and scale-up calculations and process transfer assessments related to experimental and translational biomanufacturing work; evaluate calculation assumptions and outputs identify scale-up risks or constraints and recommend process equipment or method changes based on the results.

Develop optimize and maintain protocols standard operating procedures (SOPs) batch record style documents and other technical documentation for bioprocess workflows.

Evaluate and integrate new bioprocessing technologies consumables analytical tools and equipment to enhance efficiency robustness scalability and product quality.

Work with equipment vendors and internal stakeholders to assist with installation qualification support calibration modification maintenance troubleshooting and repair of bioprocess and analytical equipment

Maintain detailed documentation following Good Documentation Practices (GDP) and contribute to GMP-aligned documentation packages in collaboration with QC/QA teams.

Coordinate technology transfer from process development laboratories to ATMFs GMP laboratories by assessing transfer readiness defining technical requirements compiling transfer documentation identifying process equipment or documentation risks and recommending adjustments to process parameters methods equipment set-up or documentation to ensure alignment with regulatory quality and operational requirements.

Participate in hiring training mentoring and supervision of junior process and analytical development staff students coop interns or trainees.

Provide technical assistance and work closely with scientists operations engineers quality teams vendors and GMP manufacturing personnel to support bioprocess innovations and translational manufacturing readiness.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The Research Engineer may have access to confidential data. The quality of work performed will determine the success of ATMF projects and funding. Exercising poor judgment and failing to consult appropriately with research team members and supervisors can adversely affect the viability and validity of ATMFs projects or programs and may compromise UBC and the Departments ability to secure grant-based funding for future ATMF projects.

Supervision Received
The ATMF Process Development Manager will provide overall supervision of this role. However the Research Engineer may take direction and feedback from senior members of the ATMF. It is important that the Research Engineer be capable of working independently within project objectives.

Supervision Given
The Research Engineer will participate in the hiring training and supervision of junior process development staff students coop interns and trainees. The Research Engineer may provide guidance and direction to staff in carrying out experiments protocol development equipment evaluation data analysis process optimization documentation and troubleshooting.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in Engineering or Applied Science. Minimum of three years of related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives including perspectives in conflict with ones own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing ones own awareness knowledge and skills related to equity diversity and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Masters degree in Bioprocess/Chemical Engineering Biochemistry Biotechnology Pharmaceutical Sciences or a related field.

Experience in hands-on experience with bioprocessing techniques and equipment including bioreactors depth filtration chromatography and tangential flow filtration systems and formulation.

Strong analytical skills and experience with process design experimental design process characterization troubleshooting optimization and data interpretation.

Experience supporting scale up process transfer or translation of research-stage workflows toward GMP-ready or clinical-grade production environment is an asset.

Knowledge of automation process control high-throughput screening data analysis workflows or digital tools for process & analytical development is an asset.

Ability to prepare clear concise and accurate research reports technical reports protocols and presentations.

Experience in working with LIMS electronic lab notebooks and data management systems.

Familiarity with regulatory frameworks such as Health Canada FDA and EMA guidelines for cell and gene therapies is an asset.

Ability to work a flexible schedule including occasional weekends evenings and early mornings as required.

Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced collaborative research environment.

Strong commitment to continuous learning adaptability scientific rigour and operational excellence.