LNP Formulation Scientist (Senior Research Assistant) Full-time

Research Assistant – mRNA Manufacturing and Research

Join BASE Facility, a visionary mRNA manufacturing and research facility within UQ's Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, and help advance the next generation of mRNA medicines.

We're looking for a motivated Research Assistant to help develop lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations for mRNA medicines. In this role, you'll help produce and quality-check LNP formulations during mRNA manufacturing, and you'll research and develop new LNPs and better ways to deliver them to targeted cells or tissues.

Working with our collaborative team of advanced scientists, your work will strengthen manufacturing capability, support commercialisation and contribute to the production of high quality mRNA LNP products at our state-of-the-art manufacture facility.

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Produce high-quality mRNA-LNP formulations, including purification, buffer exchange and preparation, and perform analytical testing to characterise critical quality attributes.
• Develop, validate and optimise LNP formulations, targeted delivery methods, analytical techniques and manufacturing processes to improve quality and performance.
• Coordinate with Production Team members, troubleshoot processes and laboratory equipment, and implement practical solutions that support reliable and efficient end-to-end manufacturing.
• Maintain accurate manufacturing and experimental records, prepare and follow Standard Operating Procedures, and help ensure laboratory facilities and instrumentation remain safe, compliant and ready for use.

The BASE Facility is a leader in mRNA manufacturing and research at the AIBN, the University of Queensland. This includes research laboratories developing new mRNA and LNP technologies, and a state-of-the-art NCRIS production facility located at the Translational Research Institute (TRI). We offer end-to-end services, including the design, manufacture, and LNP formulation of mRNA. We have experience making hundreds of mRNA vaccines and therapies. Our mission is to enable and support research across Australia, by providing high-quality mRNA for translational use in research and development of new mRNA medicines.