We're looking for a Junior Process Development Associate to design, optimise, and validate cell culture processes at benchtop scale, with a strong focus on ensuring they translate effectively onto our factory floor.

You’ll use benchtop systems such as shake flasks, stirred-tank bioreactors, and wave bioreactors to optimise process parameters, understand scale-dependent challenges, and iterate toward processes that perform reliably in our 200–20,000 L production bioreactors.

This is a highly hands-on lab role. You’ll run experiments, operate bioreactors, troubleshoot issues, and collect data while working closely with scientists, engineers, and factory floor operators to deliver production-ready processes, not just lab results.

This role is ideal for someone with foundational bioprocess experience who can think from first principles, balance speed with rigour, and gets energised by optimising processes that will work practically on factory floor, not just in the lab.

• Bachelor's degree in bioprocess, chemical engineering, biotechnology, or a related field with ~1 year of hands-on bioprocess experience (this can come from internships, an Honours year, or work experience involving bioreactors, fermentation, or cell culture process development)
• Demonstrated exposure to bioreactor operation and process monitoring (e.g., pH control, dissolved oxygen, feeding strategies)
• Proficiency in standard laboratory practices, particularly aseptic technique
• Nice to haves:
  • Exposure to DOE, multivariate experimental design, or statistical analysis tools
  • Experience with supporting process scale-up or manufacturing technology transfer

Soft skills that will make you successful:

• Fast learner - you absorb new concepts quickly and can apply them independently with minimal hand-holding
• First-principles thinker - you don't rely on "that's how it's always been done"; you question assumptions and reason from fundamentals
• Balances speed and rigour - you know when to move fast and when to dig deeper, and you're comfortable navigating that trade-off in real time
• Outcome-focused - you're driven by results that matter to the company, not research for its own sake; you use business goals to prioritise and direct your work
• High bias to action - you take ownership, follow through, and don't wait to be told what to do next
• Collaborative - you enjoy working with others, jump in to help teammates, and contribute beyond your JD when the team needs it
• Adaptable - you're comfortable switching between different types of work (running experiments, troubleshooting, or routine lab tasks) and thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment

Execute hands-on process development work

• Set up, operate, and monitor mammalian cell culture processes in shake flasks and benchtop bioreactors
• Run experiments to optimise process parameters (such as gassing strategies, feeds, seeding densities etc), and understand how they impact scale-up
• Troubleshoot process deviations and equipment issues, escalating when needed but solving independently when possible
• Perform shared lab tasks like media prep, cleaning, and routine equipment maintenance that keep things running smoothly
• Collect and analyse process data to identify trends and support decision-making
• Work with the factory team to support process implementation and continuous improvement on the production floor

Collaborate across teams

• Partner with scientists, engineers, regulatory and manufacturing to design new processes that align with company goals
• Jump in to help teammates and cross-functional partners, even outside your core responsibilities
• Communicate clearly about progress, roadblocks, and learnings

By the end of your first month:

• Developed a good understanding of Vow’s upstream manufacturing processes
• Learnt Vow’s lab systems and workflows, and have started to operate independently in the lab
• Contributed to delivering a process optimisation or improvement project, while building strong relationships across teams

Within three months:

• Independently executing experiments and proposing process improvements based on your findings
• Developed a working knowledge of factory floor manufacturing processes, and can integrate these constraints into your experimental design
• Shown the ability to challenge assumptions, apply first-principles thinking, and balance speed with rigour in decision-making

By the end of your first year:

• Consistently delivering high-quality data that the team trusts for critical process decisions
• Contributed to multiple process optimisation projects end-to-end, from experimental design through to implementation on the factory floor
• Supported successful technology transfer and continuous improvement activities, ensuring smooth scale-up of new processes
• Contributed to team growth by sharing knowledge, helping others, and fostering a culture of learning and collaboration