Research Scientist (Biochemistry)

We are an ambitious cyanobacterial biologics platform company seeking an outstanding candidate for the role of Research Scientist. As a highly-motivated individual, you will specialise in protein purification and characterisation studies, supporting the design, development, delivery and testing of novel cyanobacterial biologics, including monoclonal antibodies, VLP vaccines, & therapeutic proteins. You will tackle a range of challenges as an integral part of the team, and demonstrate a high degree of flexibility, creativity, and initiative. You will have team work experience, be adaptable, work well collaboratively, and be able to thrive in a start-up environment.

• Develop and optimise robust protein purification processes, initially for preclinical use, including monoclonal antibodies, VLPs, and therapeutic proteins.
• Support in vitro and preclinical evaluation of biologics, in collaboration with Strain Engineering & Cultivation team & CTO
• Employ purification techniques such as affinity chromatography (e.g., Protein A/G), ion exchange (IEX), hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC), size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and tangential flow filtration (TFF).
• Scale protein production processes to meet the needs of in vivo efficacy, toxicology preclinical studies
• Characterise purified proteins using analytical tools including SDS-PAGE, Western blot, ELISA, UV-Vis spectroscopy, DLS, and HPLC/UPLC.
• Work cross-functionally with Bondi's strain development and upstream production team to support protein quantification and characterisation for research and preclinical timelines.
• Assist in troubleshooting purification challenges and contribute to the continuous improvement of downstream workflows.
• Contribute to process documentation to support eventual transfer to GMP manufacturing for future clinical studies.
• Updating CTO and Executive on status and timelines for biologics & preclinical material preparation
• Support preclinical material production, in collaboration with preclinical testing collaborators

• Ph.D. or M.S. in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Immunology, Virology, or related area
• Experience purifying proteins for in vivo and/or in vitro studies (e.g., efficacy, PK/PD, toxicology), such as antibodies, VLPs, or therapeutic proteins
• Familiarity with the specific requirements of preclinical protein / mAb / vaccine production
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent documentation and communication skills, experience working in a team environment

• Familiarity with mAb and/or virus-like particle assembly and purification challenges.
• Understanding & experience of antibody biophysical characterisation techniques, such as disulfide bond formation, LC/HC assembly, and glycosylation .
• Proficiency in operating HPLC and TFF/AKTA chromatography systems
• ELISA-based testing & in vitro / in vivo therapeutic characterisation
• VLP, mAb and therapeutic protein expression and/or, delivery studies
• Conducted preclinical development and/or delivery studies of mAbs, vaccines or therapeutic proteins

Bondi Bio is an Australian biotechnology company developing a novel platform for the biomanufacture and delivery of biologics using bioengineered cyanobacteria. The platform offers a cost-effective and rapidly-scalable solution to produce monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and therapeutic proteins. Bondi's food-grade cyanobacteria has the potential for distributed biomanufacturing and point-of-care needle-free delivery. Bondi is working to bring next-generation biologics to market.