Do you have a science diploma/degree, and are you pursuing a career in Biotechnology?

Here’s your opportunity to seamlessly enter the Industrial Biotechnology job market with no costs attached!

The UVU Bio Bioprocess Skills programme takes place over 12 months, of which at least 4 months is in-person training at our Cape Town campus, followed by 8 months workplace training with a host company, should you meet the assessment targets.

The programme is designed to equip you with the necessary Biotechnology skills for a successful transition into the Industrial Biotechnology job market. This sector includes vaccine development and production, biological agents and metabolites, pharmaceutically active ingredients, as well as other sectors generating value from biological processes.

Successful completion of the programme will provide you with essential knowledge, skills and hands-on experience in the operations of high-tech laboratory equipment, allowing for an easy transition into the growing Biotechnology sector.

The programme also includes a job critical skills component that will equip you with the necessary skills needed for the world of work.

These skills include; self-awareness, workplace exposure, communication, interview skills and goal setting.

A certificate of completion will be endorsed by UVU Bio experts.

What is expected of me if I join? 

• Attend campus-based experiential learning and training.
• Complete and submit assessments and projects.
• Complete practical workplace activities.
• Complete your workplace induction.

What will I gain at the end of the course?

• An understanding of the industrial biotechnology theory.
• The ability to design biotechnology experiments.
• An understanding of the various stages of the product development cycle.
• An understanding of the different upstream and downstream process unit operations in Biotech.
• The ability to select appropriate process units for the desired outcome.
• The practical experience and ability to understand key statistical calculations in MS Excel.
• The opportunity to develop data collection spreadsheets with calculations and graphs.
• An understanding of the process variables calculations for bioprocess operations.
• An opportunity to demonstrate a high level of microbiological techniques that can deliver on process requirements.
• Experience in operating upstream and downstream process equipment.
• The ability to formulate a product and determine shelf stability.
• The skills to articulate scientific findings in detailed reports.
• Experience in communicating findings to a broader stakeholder base.

The course is divided into theoretical and practical components and will cover the following modules:

Theoretical coverage

• Introduction to Industrial Biotechnology
• Microbiological techniques
• Bioprocess Engineering
• Upstream Processing (USP)
• Downstream Processing (DSP)
• Cell Separation
• Protein purification
• Product purification and formulation
• Accelerated Death Kinetics (product testing)
• Experimental Design
• Biotech data collection and calculations
• Application Tools
• Introduction to Experimental Design Software
• MS Excel
• Scientific Report Writing

Practical Component

• Application of theory in the lab setting
• Micro techniques
• Exposure to Upstream process reactors and operations
• Project-based lab learning (Inoculum Development)
• Project-based lab learning 1 (USP)
• Project-based Learning 2 (DSP)
• Project-based Learning 3 (Product formulation)
• Project-based Learning 4 (Product Stability Testing)
• Provide data for kinetics calculations and shelf-life determination.

Apply now: https://bit.ly/BioprocessSkills

To apply, you need to meet the following criteria:

• Provide your certificate of highest academic achievement
• Have no criminal record and a clean credit history
• Preference will be given to candidates with an NQF level 6 qualification in a science domain
• South African nationality
• Between 18 to 35 years old
• Unemployed
• Able to attend full-time training Monday to Friday in Cape Town
• Able to commit to the full 12-month programme and completion thereof
• Be available from June 2023