Training & workforce upskilling
Description
The Recombinant Products Facility has trained UNSW researchers and students for over 15 years, with many alumni now working in leading companies and institutions. To meet the growing demand for skilled professionals, our training has expanded to industry, supporting both new and experienced staff.
Our courses are built around hands-on learning: trainees work on real samples and follow them through each unit operation of the workflow. This approach builds a deep understanding of process parameters and their impact on product quality, while fostering critical thinking—empowering participants to understand not just how, but why things are done.
In 2024, we were selected by CSL to deliver a pilot downstream processing course for their process development and GMP manufacturing teams. Building on positive feedback from CSL, the pilot course was refined and released as a five-day industry short course, with shorter on-demand options now available, alongside a pDNA course developed in partnership with the UNSW RNA Institute.
If you are UNSW student or staff and need to be trained to access equipment, please refer to the access protocol on the RPF homepage.
Applications
- Diagnostics
- Therapeutics
- Drug screening
- Biomaterials
- Synthetic Biology
Our courses
Plasmid & Linearised DNA
2-6 March 2026
Master the production and purification of plasmid and linear DNA – essential components for gene therapy, vaccine development, and mRNA platforms. Delivered in partnership with the UNSW RNA Institute.
Biologics Downstream Processing
Five-day course | On demand
Gain a comprehensive understanding of each of the unit of operations in a downstream process from chromatography to different types of filtration, with guidance in process develpment, tech transfer and process scaling.
Chromatography in Downstream Processing - Basics
One-day course | On demand
An introductory course for beginners, covering chromatography principles with guided, hands-on practice on chromatography systems.
Chromatography in Downstream Processing - Advanced
Four-day course | On demand
In-depth exploration of chromatography modes, media, and process parameters, with practical training to support process development , tech transfer and process scaling.
Filtration in Downstream Processing
Three-day course | On demand
Hands-on training in depth, normal flow, and tangential flow filtration, with guidance on filter selection, process development, tech transfer and process scaling.
Fermentation - Basics
Two-day course | On demand
Introductory training in microbial fermentation, combining essential theory with hands-on experience in ferment operation.
Testimonials
The UNSW course offered a comprehensive overview of the individual unit operations involved in the downstream purification process. By explaining the scientific theory and physical properties of these operations, the course helped to clarify the rationale behind processing decisions and the implementation of procedures in practice. The practical component was highly interactive, providing a hands-on demonstration of depth filtration, chromatography, and TFF. This approach allowed attendees to visually grasp the operations, enhancing their understanding of processing workflows, equipment selection, sizing, and optimisation.
Steven Jacovou
Director Biotech Manufacturing Facility at CSL Behring
Related expertise
Location
Recombinant Products Facility
Level 2 and Level 3
Biological Sciences North Building (D26)
UNSW Sydney, NSW 2033
Phone: 02 9065 6379
Email: h.lebhar@unsw.edu.au
Hélène Lebhar
-
Phone
02 9065 6379 -
Email
h.lebhar@unsw.edu.au
Parent facility
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Our infrastructure and expertise are accessible to UNSW students and staff, external researchers, government, and industry.