"Software Engineer"

Job Description:

• IDEA Bio based at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN)
• Full-time (100%), fixed-term position for up to 2 years
• Base salary will be in the range $93,491.78 - $100,296.97 + 17% Superannuation (HEW Level 6)
• Based at our St Lucia Campus

About This Opportunity

We are seeking a software engineer to aid the LEARN team at IDEA Bio in establishing a data analysis pipeline. In this unique role, you will work closely with data scientists, a bioinformatician and a machine learning specialist to construct custom workflows that allow the high-throughput processing and analysis of data from a Laboratory Information Management System.

Key responsibilities will include:

Core Scientific

• Contribute to the coding and development of custom data analysis algorithms and modelling tools for systems biology or machine-learning.
• Develop a flexible, modular data analysis pipeline that retrieves data from a LIMS system (OpenBIS), performs required pre-processing and quality checks and prepares data for analysis through custom and open-source tools and workflows to analyse data as required by the LEARN team.
• Ensure said pipeline is deployable and operable on high-performance computing.
• Where relevant, re-code existing software into more appropriate languages or to enhance performance.
• Develop flowcharts, layouts and documentation to identify requirements and solutions.
• Write well-designed, testable code.
• Develop software verification plans and quality assurance procedures.
• Document and maintain software functionality.
• Use an appropriate repository, primarily GitHub, to share software and enable collaborative development with other researchers.
• Where required, maintain or further develop the data and metadata capture workflows that capture bioreactor and sample data in the LIMS system.
• Contribute to research outputs, joint preparation, and authorship of reports/manuscripts as appropriate.
• If relevant, contribute to the set-up and operation of cloud-based bioreactor systems.

General

• Perform other duties as reasonably directed by the Senior Data Scientist.

Safety

• Ensure a high standard of occupational health and safety standards and systems, including inductions, supervision, equipment training registers, administration of research facilities, inventories, reporting and investigating injuries, incidents, and hazards.

Leadership and management

• Promptly resolve conflict and grievances when they arise in accordance with University policy and procedures.

About the Integrated Designed Environment for Advanced Biomanufacturing (IDEA Bio)

IDEA Bio has emerged as a state-of-the-art fermentation biofoundry, dedicated to providing high-quality services to both academic and industry partners. Our mission is to develop sustainable bioprocesses that contribute to the growth of Queensland’s bioeconomy and enhance Australia’s position in the global biotechnology landscape. IDEA Bio is composed of a TEST capability, involving the culturing of organisms in bioreactors and gathering data about fermentation performance and cell physiology (including ‘omics measurements such as protein and metabolite measurements), and a LEARN capability, that seeks to use these large data sets to learn how to alter fermentation parameters or genetically engineer strains to enhance performance. We also collaborate closely with Queensland Metabolomics and Proteomics (Q MAP https://www.qmap.org.au/) and the Australian Genome Foundry (Macquarie University).

About You

You are a self-motivated, solutions focused Software Engineer with excellent communication skills. You will also demonstrate:

• Qualifications and training equivalent to an undergraduate degree in IT or related field and subsequent relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.
• Comfortable working across a range of programming languages including Python, R and MATLAB.
• Demonstrated experience encoding a workflow in at least one of the above languages.
• Experience using high-performance computing.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with proven ability to produce clear, succinct documentation.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with a team.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to plan, prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and work adaptably both independently and in a team.

Desirable

• Knowledge of cloud services
• Familiarity with relational database management systems
• Docker and container-based development.
• Prior experience with laboratory information management systems.
• Strong mathematical background.

Want to Apply?

We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload:

• Resume
• A cover letter summarising how your background aligns with the 'About You' section

Applications close Sunday 4 January 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-59856).