Scientist II, Research

Join our Mission to Protect Humankind!

Vaxcyte is a clinical-stage vaccine innovation company engineering high-fidelity vaccines to protect humankind from the consequences of bacterial diseases, which have serious and costly health consequences when left unchecked. Working to eradicate or treat bacterial infections such as invasive pneumococcal disease, Group A Strep, periodontitis and Shigella is just the beginning. Our path to success is clear and well-defined, and Vaxcyte is set up to go the distance. 

WHAT we do is every bit as important as HOW we do it! Our work together is guided by four enduring core values:

*RETHINK CONVENTION: We bring creative and intellectual diversity to every facet of the work we do in order to innovate and re-innovate the way vaccines are delivered.

*AIM HIGH: We embody our collectively audacious goal to courageously make the most complex biologics ever attempted to protect humankind.

*LEAD WITH HEART: Everyone leads at Vaxcyte with a kindness-first, inclusive approach to collaboration and vigorous debate that advances our business objectives.

*MODEL EXCELLENCE: The magnitude of our challenge requires our shared commitment to demonstrating integrity, accountability, equality and clarity across communications and decision making.

Summary:

Vaxcyte is looking for a Scientist II who will contribute to the research and development of a novel bacterial polysaccharide conjugate vaccine. The candidate will work within the Research Department to perform analytical assays and characterization testing for in-process intermediates and drug substances. Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to routine in-house testing, sample analysis, data reporting, instrument purchase, qualification, maintenance, and troubleshooting, as well as lab safety etc. You will be working with a cross-functional team to streamline core analytical characterization technologies to meet the vaccine pipeline development timeline, some of which include: HPLC-SEC, RP-HPLC, SEC-MALS, GCMS or HPAEC-PAD, SDS-PAGE, Western Blot, colorimetric plate-based assays, BCA, Anthrone, PicoGreen, ELISA, MSD, DSF, CE-SDS, and CE-IEF.

Additionally, the candidate will have opportunities to interface with external collaborators, participate in team meetings, present data to outside collaborators and senior management, and author internal and external publications. 

Essential Functions:

• Independently design, execute, and interpret routine in-house assays to analyze and characterize our in-process intermediates and drug substances which consist of protein, polysaccharides, and protein-polysaccharide conjugates. Assays include:
• HPLC-SEC, RP-HPLC, SEC-MALS, and experience with ChemStation
• GCMS or HPAEC-PAD
• SDS-PAGE, Western Blot, microplate assays, both colorimetric (BCA, Anthrone, PicoGreen) and enzyme-based assays (ELISA/MSD)
• DSF, CE-SDS, and CE-IEF
• Responsible for the overall quality and compliance of all the testing.
• Responsible for routine instrument maintenance (HPLC, SEC-MAL, GCMS, HPEAC-PAD) and troubleshooting.
• Troubleshoot various issues during analytical method development.
• Complete any assigned tasks and report data in high quality and promptly.
• Provide technical direction, mentorship, and coaching to junior scientists.
• Keep accurate and detailed records of experiments in laboratory notebooks and Benchling entries.
• Summarize data and communicate to cross-functional teams timely and clearly
• Work within a team environment and provide support to further team objectives.
• Support daily lab operations, sample inventory, and sample shipment.

Requirements:

• PhD in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field with 3+ years relevant industry experience; MS or BS with 10+ years of industry experience in Pharma/ Biotech industry required.
• Ideal candidate will have a strong theoretical understanding and extensive hands-on experience of SEC-MALS technique. Familiar with Wyatt instrument and ASTRA software is a plus.
• Direct experience operating Agilent HPLC using OpenLab/ Chemstation software and/or Waters UPLC and Empower software for data acquisition and analysis.
• Broad hands-on experience with modern analytical instrumentations commonly used in the analysis and characterization of biologics, carbohydrates, conjugates and small molecule drug candidates and successful track record of method development troubleshooting and validation, e.g., UV-Vis, various modes of HPLC, CE, SDS-PAGE, icIEF, enzyme kinetics, colorimetric and fluorescent plate-based assays, ELISA, Western Blot, etc.
• Experience with mass spectrometry, GCMS, or HPAEC-PAD is highly desired.
• Must be a scientist with clear goals of developing analytical methods, and critically and skillfully reviewing and assessing analytical methods under development.
• Understand basic principles of analytical method development/ validation/ qualification concepts.
• Attention to detail and excellent skills in record keeping/documentation. Critical thinking and ability to analyze data.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment and collaborate effectively with other team members. Eagerness and ability to learn and understand new concepts and techniques with ease.

Reports to: Group Leader, Research

Location: San Carlos, CA

Compensation:

The compensation package will be competitive and includes comprehensive benefits and an equity component.

Salary Range: $130,000 – $144,000

Vaxcyte, Inc.

825 Industrial Road, Suite 300

San Carlos, CA 94070

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.