Research Engineer, ATMF

University of British Columbia•Vancouver, BC

6d•CA$7,158 - CA$10,292•Hybrid

About The Position

The Advanced Therapeutics Manufacturing Facility (ATMF) is a new CFI-funded project and part of Canada’s 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 therapeutics—such as cells, mRNA vaccines, and ancillary plasmid DNA—essential for early-phase clinical trials, addressing current health challenges, and strengthening Canada’s 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 teams. In 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.

Requirements

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 one’s own
Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Nice To Haves

Master’s 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.

Responsibilities

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 ATMF’s 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.