Bioreactor Operations Technician

About the role

Airtree Ventures is seeking an experienced Bioreactor Operations Technician to run a fleet of up to 16 benchtop mammalian‑cell‑culture bioreactors in Sydney. You will translate scientists' run plans into reliable, aseptic operations and ensure data integrity throughout each campaign.

Key responsibilities

• Operate twelve 300 mL and four 3 L bioreactors in parallel, following approved run parameters.
• Assemble vessels, tubing, probes and single‑use components; perform leak‑checks, cleaning, sterilisation and autoclaving.
• Execute inoculation, media/feed additions, set‑point changes, sampling, harvest and hand‑off of samples.
• Calibrate and maintain pH, dissolved‑oxygen and temperature probes; verify gas, agitation, pump and alarm functions.
• Troubleshoot control‑cascade issues independently and escalate only when necessary.
• Maintain sterile boundaries, detect contamination early and lead isolation/clean‑down responses.
• Complete electronic run logs, deviation reports and equipment checks in real time.

Required profile

• Minimum three years of hands‑on industry experience operating mammalian cell‑culture bioreactors.
• Proven ability to assemble, sterilise, inoculate, sample, feed, harvest and turn around benchtop bioreactors.
• Strong aseptic technique and practical knowledge of contamination prevention.
• Consistent full‑time availability including at least one weekend day per week.
• Legal right to work in Australia and ability to work onsite in Alexandria, Sydney.

Required skills

• Bioreactor operation and control‑cascade troubleshooting.
• Aseptic technique and contamination response.
• Calibration of pH, dissolved‑oxygen and temperature probes.
• Cleaning, sterilisation and autoclaving of single‑use bioreactor components.
• Electronic record keeping (run logs, deviations, equipment checks).