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Senior Scientist, Analytical Development

San Carlos, California, United States

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, 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 has an exciting opportunity for an energetic and talented individual to join our Analytical Development team. The Senior Scientist, Analytical Development, is responsible for leading analytical method development activities for biologics/vaccine development programs. This role designs and drives method development, performs and oversees routine and non-routine analytical assays using modern analytical techniques, and leads method optimization, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives with minimal supervision, including mentoring and technical guidance to junior team members. The position requires demonstrated hands-on laboratory experience, deep technical expertise, and strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to independently plan and execute work, interpret complex data, and drive investigations to root cause and resolution. This role also authors, reviews, and maintains high-quality technical documentation, including method protocols, method development reports, qualification documentation, SOPs, and clear technical summaries that communicate experimental findings and conclusions to internal and external stakeholders.

Essential Functions:

Method Development & Troubleshooting

  • Provide technical leadership and strategic direction for method development, optimization and qualification/validation readiness.
  • Define development strategies and experimental roadmaps, identify critical method attributes, set robustness/qualification approaches, and drive alignment with program and regulatory expectations.
  • Lead complex troubleshooting and investigations across assays and instrumentation; establish root-cause and preventive controls, and mentor others in problem-solving.
  • Lead authorship and review of methods, SOPs, protocols, and technical reports; set documentation standards and ensure consistency and readiness for audits/inspections.

Team Collaboration

  • Serve as a cross-functional technical leader, aligning analytical strategy with program objectives and driving execution against key milestones and deliverables.
  • Proactively identify, communicate, and manage technical risks and resourcing constraints, influence decision-making with clear options, tradeoffs, and recommendations.
  • Champion a culture of scientific excellence, compliance, and continuous improvement; establish best practices and drive adoption across the team.
  • Lead capability building through mentoring, training programs, and coaching; develop team members’ technical depth, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Laboratory Operations & Instrumentation

  • Promote efficient, compliant laboratory operations, including organization, cleanliness, and material control, aligned with applicable quality expectations.
  • Provide oversight and prioritization for instrument maintenance, qualification, and service activities; serve as a technical point of contact for Lab operation team and vendor interactions and complex instrument issues.
  • Ensure continuity of lab readiness by overseeing inventory strategy for reagents, standards, and consumables; support budgeting/forecasting and drive improvements to procurement and inventory processes.

Analytical Testing & Data Generation

  • Lead routine and non-routine analytical testing using modern analytical methods (e.g., HPLC/UPLC, SEC, CE, UV-Vis, ELISA, electrophoresis, plate-based assays, and other biochemical or biophysical techniques).
  • Maintain accurate and timely documentation in laboratory notebooks or electronic systems.
  • Perform data processing and interpretation; draw conclusions, and clearly communicate outcomes, risks and recommendations to program and cross-functional stakeholders.

Safety & Compliance

  • Follow all Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) policies and laboratory safety practices.
  • Handle chemicals and biological materials safely and in compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Ensure proper waste disposal and adherence to hazardous material handling procedures.
  • Support audit and inspection readiness activities where applicable.

Requirements: 

  • PhD, MS or Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline. PhD with 5+ years; MS with 10+ years; BS with 13+ years of relevant industry experience in analytical development, QC, or related field. Other combinations of education and/or experience may be considered.
  • Extensive hands-on experience across a broad analytical technique, such as UV-Vis, HPLC, CE, SDS-PAGE, icIEF, Liquid chromatography, Mass Spectrometry, enzyme kinetics, colorimetric and fluorescent plate-based assays, ELISA, Western Blot, and PCR.
  • Experience leading method development or optimization activities preferred.
  • Deep expertise in analytical chemistry/biochemistry with broad understanding across platforms.
  • Recognized technical leader in troubleshooting complex, cross-cutting assay/instrument/system issues; drives investigations to root cause and establishes preventive controls.
  • Advanced capability in data analysis and interpretation, including method performance characterization, statistical evaluation, and automation/standardization of data workflows where appropriate.
  • Exemplary quality mindset and documentation rigor; authors/sets standards for methods, protocols, reports, and ensures audit/inspection readiness.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead multiple priorities and influence program direction; effectively resource-plans, remove blockers, and mentor others to deliver results.
  • Excellent communication skills: effectively communicate risk, options, and recommendations to stakeholders and leadership, and align cross-functional teams on path forward.
  • Ability to work in a laboratory environment for extended periods.
  • Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
  • Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) required.
  • Contribute to a positive, inclusive, and safety-focused laboratory culture.
Reports to: Associate Director, Analytical Development, Raw Materials
 
Location: San Carlos, CA
 
Compensation:
The compensation package will be competitive and includes comprehensive benefits and an equity component.
 
Salary Range: $165,000 - $193,000

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.

 

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