Sr. Scientist, Analytical Development

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:

*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.

*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.

*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 an energetic and talented individual to join our analytical development team. The candidate will independently develop analytical methods (including but not limited to: different modes of chromatography, spectrometry such as MS, CE, colorimetric and light-scattering technique) and perform sample testing to support development and formulation of protein and conjugate vaccine targets. The successful candidate will also provide scientific mentorship and technical guidance for junior colleagues in analytical method development. Additional responsibility will also include analytical data review, authorship of protocols and reports, coordination and oversight during assay transfer between our company and external partner groups.

Essential Functions:

• Independently lead the development, qualification, and transfer of analytical methods for purity, content, and other quality attributes of biologic drug substances, carbohydrates, and vaccine targets.
• Develop analytical methods and conduct characterization studies to support raw material, formulation development and the establishment of appropriate manufacturing control strategies.
• Perform analytical method transfer to CROs/CMOs.
• Perform appropriate CRO/CMO oversight by reviewing analytical method development data, reviewing and approving analytical method validation protocols and subsequent reports, and reviewing and approving analytical method SOPs.
• Provide technical oversight to drug substance/drug product release and stability testing, as well as trouble shooting and analytical investigation at CRO/CMOs.
• Author protocols, reports, and regulatory submissions as appropriate.

Requirements:

• PhD in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry preferred, Organic / Biochemistry considered, with 5+ years relevant industry experience; MS with 8+ or BS with 10+ years of industry experience; (Pharma / Biotech / Analytical Testing) 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.
• 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 trouble shooting and validation, e.g., UV-Vis, various modes of HPLC, CE, SDS-PAGE, icIEF, LCMS, GCMS, enzyme kinetics, colorimetric and fluorescent plate-based assays, ELISA, Western Blot, etc.
• Self-starter; able and willing to learn new techniques quickly and work in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment and collaborate effectively with other team members.
• Direct experience operating Agilent HPLC using OpenLab/ Chemstation software and/or Waters UPLC and Empower software for data acquisition and analysis.
• Experience working in a regulated (GLP / GMP) environment.
• Solid understanding of relevant FDA, EU, and ICH regulatory guidelines and pharmacopeia as applicable to analytical method development and qualification/validation for small molecules, biologics and vaccines, and demonstrated ability of applying the regulatory guidance to formulate practical solutions and phase appropriate analytical strategy.
• Attention to detail and excellent skills in record keeping / documentation.
• Extensive technical writing experience in drafting method protocols, SOPs and reports.
• Project management skills including the ability to manage one’s project resource requirements (material, manpower, time, etc.), and ability to elevate relevant issues to project lead and line-management.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in written formats.
• Constantly identify gaps and areas for improvement and escalate to management as appropriate.

Reports to: Associate Director, Analytical Development Characterization and Early Development

Location: San Carlos, CA

Compensation:

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

Salary Range: $152,000 – $170,000

Send resumes to:

[email protected]

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.