Research Engineer, ATMF
Research Engineer, ATMF
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Job Description
Job Category
M&P - AAPSJob Profile
AAPS Salaried - Scientific Eng. Level BJob Title
Research Engineer ATMFDepartment
Staff Human Resources Faculty Affairs Faculty of MedicineCompensation Range
$6747.50 - $9701.42 CAD MonthlyThe Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge qualifications and experience for the the normal course employees will be hired transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.
Posting End Date
September 2 2025Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date
September 30 2026This is a 1-year term position with a possibility of extension.
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 and lead research projects to advance biomanufacturing technologies for various therapeutic products including plasmids mRNA/LNP formulations CAR-T cells regulatory T cells (T-regs) and viral vectors. 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 teams. In some instances the Engineer will also supervise junior staff who are conducting research. The Research Engineer will work with the ATMF 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 xmkym (Musqueam) people. The City of Vancouver is located on Musqueam Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations territory.
The Research Engineer will report to the ATMF Project Lead Dr. Megan Levings.
Works in the Process Development lab with other research and technical staff.
Supervises technical staff overseeing the team conducting specific experiments in bioprocessing.
Consults with ATMF staff and other UBC departments universities research institutes vendors and industry partners in the bioprocess design and selection.
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 (T-regs/CAR-T) and viral vectors.
- Execute and optimize upstream (cell culture transfection fermentation) and downstream (purification filtration formulation) processes using specialized bioprocessing equipment.
- Conduct experiments collate and analyze data in a timely manner.
- Develop complex mathematical models for performing analytical assessments including yield purity potency and stability testing.
- Assess and implement bioprocess design alternatives.
- Complete complex design and scale-up calculations related to experimental work.
- Develop protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for bioprocess workflows.
- Evaluate and integrate new bioprocessing technologies and equipment to enhance efficiency and product quality.
- Work with equipment vendors and assist with installation calibration modification maintenance and repair of bioprocessing equipment
- Maintain detailed documentation following Good Documentation Practices (GDP) and contribute to regulatory submissions.
- Coordinate technology transfer to ATMFs GMP laboratories ensuring compliance with regulatory and quality requirements.
- Hire train and mentor junior staff and students in process development methodologies.
- Provide technical assistance and work closely with scientists operations engineers and GMP manufacturing personnel to drive bioprocess innovations.
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 Project Lead 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 and students and may provide guidance and direction to staff in carrying out experiments protocol development data analysis or optimizing equipment.
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 or a related field.
- Expertise and 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 characterization and optimization.
- Experience in scaling up manufacturing processes from research to clinical-grade production.
- Knowledge of automation process control and high-throughput screening techniques.
- Ability to prepare clear concise and accurate research and technical reports and protocols.
- 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.
- 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.
Employment Type
Full-Time
