Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Digital, The ARC Digital Bioprocess Development Hub

Job no: 0057790 (3 x positions available)
Location: Parkville
Role type: Full time/Part time; Fixed term for up to three years, with possible extension. 
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
Department/School:  School of Computing and Information Systems
Salary: Level A - $77,171 - $104,717 p.a. (PhD entry Level A.6 - $97,558 p.a.) plus 17% super

The University of Melbourne would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which our campuses are situated, the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung Peoples, the Yorta Yorta Nation, the Dja Dja Wurrung People. We acknowledge that the land on which we meet and learn was the place of age-old ceremonies, of celebration, initiation and renewal, and that the local Aboriginal Peoples have had and continue to have a unique role in the life of these lands.

About the School of Computing and Information Systems

The School of Computing & Information Systems (CIS) undertakes research and teaching across a range of information technology disciplines including Software Engineering, Information Systems, and Computer Science. CIS is the most highly ranked School of Computing and Information Systems in Australia according to all major rankings (THE, QS, ARWU). It offers a comprehensive range of IT and IS courses at all levels, including offerings in science, engineering, and business, and is at the forefront of computing research in Australia and internationally with close links to major computing research initiatives, including Melbourne Bioinformatics, CSL, The Cremorne Digital Hub and CSIRO’s DATA61. 

To find out more about CIS, visit: http://www.cis.unimelb.edu.au/

About the Role

The ARC Hub for Digital Bioprocess Development is part of the Industrial Transformation Research Hub grant scheme (ITRH Scheme) and aims to assist the Biopharma industry by increasing digital innovation, productivity and competitiveness. The Hub will engage an interdisciplinary team of engineers, scientists and computing specialists to develop digitally integrated advanced manufacturing processes and a platform for industry adoption. The program will address key bioprocessing research challenges and develop new process and digital models that can predict and optimise manufacturing processes, resulting in greater yields, faster and more flexible processes and enhanced product stability. The Hub will transform biopharmaceutical manufacturing and unlock growth opportunities to forge an internationally competitive Australian Biopharma sector.

The ARC Hub for Digital Bioprocess Development is a collaborative program of significant scope and scale. It will draw together expertise from The University of Melbourne, University of Technology Sydney and RMIT University, together with CSL Innovation, Patheon and Pall and three leading international universities, forming a substantial team. The Hub will have the critical mass of researchers and expertise needed to address key biopharma research challenges, contributing to industry outcomes and positioning Australian Biopharma manufacturing to benefit from Industry 4.0.

The program will include multiple positions as follows:

Research Fellow (RF4 Digital) – Digital Twin Approaches for Automated Monitoring, Controlling and Improvement of Bioprocesses

Chief Investigator Dr Artem Polyvyanyy and Professor Marcello La Rosa

The position will design, implement, and evaluate digital twin technology for monitoring, controlling, and improving real-world bioprocesses building on and adapting existing tools, which traditionally focus on optimizing process throughout time and cost. They will build an end-to-end digital representation of bio-engineering processes. The resulting end-to-end model will be calibrated using automatically discovered simulation parameters to reflect the real-world (as-is) bioprocess as accurately as possible.

Research Fellow (RF5 Digital) – Modelling and Optimisation for Validation

Chief Investigator Dr Pauline Lin

This position will investigate ML/AI enhanced capabilities in both process development and process validation. In particular, the project aims to identify critical process parameters and their key interactions, and to predict the quality of output with quantified uncertainty. These process parameters can then be closely monitored or controlled to reduce the failure rate. The prediction risks can inform and be used to enhance production strategies.

Research Fellow (RF6 Digital) – Modelling and Optimisation of Unit Operations

Chief Investigator Dr Ling Luo

This position will focus on unit operations within the downstream processing stages of bioprocessing, constructing machine learning models to enhance real-time monitoring and process control. This role will develop a software interface, design new machine learning models using existing operational data, work closely with the experimental team to incorporate experimental data, domain knowledge and mechanistic models to machine learning models, and verify and further train models to enable translation.

Responsibilities include:

• Independently plan and carry out research on the proposed research project and work towards completion of the aims of the project.
• Develop effective timelines and milestones based on goals of the research program.
• Liaise effectively with collaborators and a variety of internal and external stakeholders to foster collaborative partnerships and work with teams to achieve joint outputs and outcomes. 
• Prepare and publish research outcomes in conferences and journals and other scholarly outputs to a high academic standard in accordance with the research expectations of the University of Melbourne.

About You

You will have demonstrated ability to lead and contribute to a cross-functional, multi-disciplinary team environment, including teams of industry researchers with different skills. You will have experience in working with minimal supervision and ability to prioritise tasks to achieve project objectives within timelines, demonstrating flexibility to flourish in a fast-paced environment. Your ability to develop, administer and see through to completion appropriately designed research projects with limited supervision will be vital to succeed in these roles.

You will also have:

• A postgraduate research degree at PhD level (or near completion) or Higher Education qualification in a field relevant to the position described above. Specifically:
• Research Fellow (RF4) - Digital Twin Approaches for Automated Monitoring, Controlling and Improvement of Bioprocesses – process mining, data science, machine learning or computer science.
• Research Fellow (RF5) - Modelling and Optimisation for Validation – statistical machine learning or computer science.
• Research Fellow (RF6) - Modelling and Optimisation of Unit Operations – machine learning or computer science.
• A record of high-quality research as evidenced by publications in leading journals and at conferences commensurate with opportunity.
• Ability to perform independent research with a commitment to interdisciplinary research.
• Ability to work with industry partners to achieve applied outcomes and to work with others across the sector to achieve industry impact and sector transformation.

To ensure the University continues to provide a safe environment for everyone, this position requires the incumbent to hold a current and valid Working with Children Check.

About the University

The University of Melbourne is consistently ranked amongst the leading universities in the world. We are proud of our people, our commitment to research and teaching excellence, and our global engagement.

Benefits of Working with Us

In addition to having the opportunity to grow and be challenged, and to be part of a vibrant campus life, our people enjoy a range of rewarding benefits:

• Flexible working arrangements, generous personal, parental and cultural leave
• Competitive remuneration, 17% super, salary packaging and leave loading
• Free and subsidised health and wellbeing services, and access to fitness and cultural clubs
• Discounts on a wide range of products and services including Myki cards and Qantas Club
• Career development opportunities and 25% off graduate courses for staff and their immediate families

To find out more, visit https://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/staff-benefits.

Be Yourself

We value the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and encourage and celebrate diversity.  First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, females, people of all ages, with disabilities and culturally and linguistically diverse people are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.

Join Us!

If you feel this role is right for you, please submit your application including a brief cover letter, your resume and your responses against the selection criteria^ (found in the Position Description) for the role.

^For information to help you with compiling short statements to answer the selection criteria and competencies, please go to http://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/selection-criteria

We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require any reasonable adjustments with the recruitment process, please contact  us at hr-talent@unimelb.edu.au.

Position description: PD_Postdoctoral Fellow DBD Hub CIS.pdf

Advertised: 13 Jan 2023 12:05 AM AUS Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: 13 Feb 2023 11:55 PM AUS Eastern Daylight Time