Job Description
Messenger Bio | Parkville, Victoria, Australia (On-site)
n Full-time (5 days per week)
n Status: Actively Hiring
Overview n
As Lab Operations Associate at Messenger Bio, you'll help build high-value mRNA-based products for our customers around the world. You'll get hands-on with cutting-edge mRNA and LNP science while building real skills in the operations that keep an early-stage biotech running. It's an ideal role for someone passionate about mRNA technology and eager to explore a career beyond traditional academic research.
About Messenger Bio n
Thousands of human diseases still remain unsolved. Scientists need to be empowered with better access to foundational drug discovery technologies so they can get to the point of translation faster.
n
That's why we exist. At Messenger Bio, we build differentiated, high-value biotechnology product platforms that make it easier for scientists to do their best work - combining deep biological and materials science expertise to industrialise the discovery of RNA medicines. mRNA is our starting point.
n
Today we offer end-to-end custom and catalogue mRNA, LNP formulation, in vitro and in vivo preclinical testing, and a growing line of proprietary kits - including our ArmadaTM LNP Transfection Kit and ShipRightTM room-temperature mRNA shipping. From our lab in Melbourne, we've delivered to 100+ leading institutions across 20+ countries, and we're just getting started.
About the role n
As our Lab Operations Associate, you'll help us build the high-value products our customers rely on,



while contributing to the operations that keep us running. Day to day, you'll manufacture and QC our suite of products - research-grade mRNA, lipid nanoparticles, and mRNA purification kits - and help coordinate order logistics and fulfilment from start to finish.
n
It's a rare chance to get hands-on with cutting-edge mRNA and lipid nanoparticle science while developing real skills in business operations and building relationships with researchers across the mRNA field.
n
What you'll do:
n
Own customer orders from start to finish (for an mRNA order, that means: DNA template production and purification → mRNA production, purification, formulation and QC → order fulfilment)
n
Engineer DNA plasmid constructs using standard genetic engineering techniques
n
Help set up and validate new mRNA manufacturing processes
n
Run cell culture-based experiments (e.g., mRNA transfections)
n
Take the initiative to suggest ideas and solve problems
What to expect n
We'll support you in getting up to speed quickly. There's plenty of room to shape the role, but here's a rough map of your first few months:
n
Within 1 month: Get to know the team, understand what we do, and become familiar with our SOPs.
n
Within 3 months:



Take responsibility for fulfilling customer orders from start to finish, with some oversight.
n
Within 6 months: Grow confident enough in our operations to start suggesting ideas and launching your own side quests.
n
This role is ideal for someone passionate about mRNA science and eager to explore a career beyond traditional academic research. You'll work with novel mRNA and lipid nanoparticle technologies and contribute to our customers' research from day one - helping shape the future of biotech innovation in Australia and beyond.
n
You can also expect:
n
A team that genuinely enjoys working together, and sets high expectations of ourselves and of you
n
The chance to build skills across every vertical of an early-stage biotech startup - from cutting-edge mRNA and LNP science to order fulfilment and cross-border shipping
What you bring The Tangibles: n
At least 6 months of wet-lab experience
n
Completed a Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree in
biomedicine/biochemistry
or a related field
n
Hands-on experience with core molecular biology techniques (e.g., PCR, cloning, mammalian cell culture) - prior mRNA expertise is not required
The Intangibles: n
Energy, initiative and work ethic
n
The ability to balance collaboration with independence - you thrive in a team but don't need to be told what to do at every step
n
The ability to execute tasks reliably
n
Explicit, effective communication, both verbal and written
#J-*****-Ljbffr

📌 Lab Operations Associate (Melbourne)
🏢 MESSENGER BIO
📍 Melbourne