Downstream Processing Engineer

Downstream processing the isolation and purification of the biotech product, which has been producted in the fermentation (upstream stage). As the desired product is usually secreted into the medium, the first step is normally filtration or centrifugation. Liquid chromatography and / or membrane filtration is then used to separate the desired protein product from the other proteins present in the mixture, in order to concentrate the desired biopharmaceutical product.

Key Responsibilities of the Downstream Processing Engineer

• Participate in facility and process design of a multi-product biopharmaceutical manufacturing platform.
• Play a role in commissioning and start-up of the biotech facility.
• Play a role in developing and predicting processing strategies and throughputs for the various products for the site biotech business.
• Provide day-to-day bioprocess engineering support to downstream manufacturing operations.
• Initiate facility and equipment upgrades to improve plant productivity and throughput.
• Facilitate the introduction of new products with associated new equipment and ensure the bioprocessing at the site stays current with emerging processing and equipment trends.
  

• A degree-level or higher qualification in Biochemical/Chemical Engineering or a related discipline.

• Knowledge of the downstream biopharmaceutical unit operations involved with bioreactor design and control, Sterilisation in Place (SIP) / Cleaning in Place (CIP), filtration etc.
• Experience in either design or commissioning of a mammalian cell-based biopharmaceutical manufacturing plant.
• Operations experience in purification or related bioprocess manufacturing experience in an established biotech production operation.