Essential Job Duties

At BTEC, the Scientist will serve as both scientist and mentor. This position offers a rewarding balance between educational impact and translational research, providing opportunities to drive process improvement and contribute to the global biomanufacturing community.

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Downstream Operations, you will combine your passion for biomanufacturing R&D with a mission to educate.

Teaching and Instructional Support

• Inspire Future Talent: Lead and support engaging lab sessions for varied course participants, fostering a deep understanding of downstream bioprocessing.
• Actively instruct course participants on scientific principles, lab procedures, and the application of downstream theory.
• Manage the end-to-end logistics for assigned courses, including planning, preparation, and post-lab clean-up.
• Champion the BTEC Mission and Vision: Participate in activities to promote and support BTEC's mission and vision both internally and externally to the University. Mentor research students and interns while training staff and developing internal materials to ensure consistent operational knowledge.

Research and Development

• Drive innovation: Optimize and co-develop course labs, conduct biomanufacturing research and champion downstream improvement projects, with support from the Assistant Director.
• Proactively identify and pursue opportunities to ensure BTEC teaching content remains effective, current and state-of-the-art.
• Scientific Contribution: Independently plan, execute, document, and analyze experiments that contribute to a broader scientific community. Communicate research findings through clear, concise, and accurate reports, presentations or technical articles.

Routine Operations and Lab Maintenance

• Maintain Operational Excellence: Design and maintain organization systems to ensure all assigned lab areas are clean, safe, and logistically sound. Ensure all spaces, equipment and materials are "ready-to-use" for a seamless student experience. Establish and oversee robust processes for local inventory, documentation and equipment logbooks to drive operational efficiency.
• Technical Troubleshooting: Take the lead on equipment reliability, from commissioning new tools to solving complex process issues. Suggest and execute preventative actions for equipment and processes to ensure labs are always in a ready-to-use state.
• Quality Standards: Uphold safety and simulated-GMP standards, ensuring BTEC remains a model for industry excellence. Lead the creation and revision of process documentation to ensure established practices are followed and continuously improved.

Other Work/Responsibilities

Other duties as assigned by supervisor or BTEC directors.

Minimum Experience/Education

B.S. in Engineering or Science (e.g., biotechnology, biochemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, biology, microbiology, molecular biology or similar field) with 4+ years of lab-based experience OR M.S. in a related discipline (as listed above). Required degree must be completed prior to start date.

Hands-on expertise in experimental design and downstream unit operations or transferable expertise to enable quickly mastering downstream unit operations (e.g., centrifugation, homogenization, filtration, chromatography).

Required Qualifications

• Effective Communicator: Present complex information clearly and concisely.
• Build strong interpersonal relationships and collaborate effectively with BTEC colleagues, students, faculty, and industry professionals.
• Maintain professional and productive communications with service providers and external collaborators.
• Adaptable: Maintain and advance proficiency in Google Workspace and MS Office suites while demonstrating a willingness to master new software and technologies. Work effectively both independently and as a team member, with the discernment to know when each approach is most appropriate. Navigate shifting projects, priorities, and schedules with a flexible and positive mindset.
• Growth Mindset: A self-driven learner with high emotional intelligence.
• Technical Problem-Solver: Skilled in troubleshooting equipment and processes with a high attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Instructional experience training peers, junior staff, or students
• Deep understanding of the theory behind biomanufacturing downstream operations or ability to quickly develop this knowledge
• Practical experience in a Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) or regulated environment
• Proven ability to perform independent R&D (literature search through data analysis)
• Experience writing technical SOPs, batch records, protocols, or research articles
• Demonstrated ability to design and sustain efficient systems for lab organization, inventory, and documentation.