Position Vacant: Manager – Applied Biosciences

Affinity Labs (the commercial arm of The Australian Wine Research Institute) provides advanced analytical and consulting services to the food and beverage industry. We offer a comprehensive range of testing services, including chemical and microbiological analysis, plant health diagnostics, sensory assessment and export certification services for a wide range of global markets. Our NATA-accredited (ISO17025 and GLP) laboratories, based in Urrbrae SA, perform more than 100,000 analyses per year.

Applications are invited for the position of Manager – Applied Biosciences. This position is responsible for the management of the Applied Biosciences team within Affinity Labs, overseeing beverage microbiology and plant pathogen diagnostic laboratories, which provide routine and advanced analysis and project management to a range of beverage and agricultural industries. This role is actively involved in identifying and developing business growth opportunities relating to applied biosciences and is also responsible for linking Affinity Labs with relevant stakeholders within the grape industry’s biosecurity network, with a particular focus on grapevine virus diagnostics.

The ideal candidate will have a PhD (or a Master’s degree plus significant experience) in molecular biology or microbiology and a minimum of three years’ experience in a senior laboratory or research-based role related to plant pathogen diagnostics. They will have demonstrated ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of stakeholders at varying levels within industry, research institutes and management, with a keen interest in science commercialisation and business development. Knowledge of grapevine virology and experience in managing a team are highly desirable.

A detailed Manager Applied Biosciences position description and online application form are available from https://www.awri.com.au/about_the_awri/people/careers/. For more information about the role, please contact Dr Eric Wilkes on (08) 8313 0444 or eric.wilkes@affinitylabs.com.au.

All applications should be submitted via the online application form.