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Senior Associate Scientist, Protein 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 is looking for a highly skilled, motivated, and talented contractor to join Vaxcyte’s Vaccine Product Development organization as a Senior Associate Scientist (contract) within Protein Development and Clinical Manufacturing.

The contractor will assume an important role of development and executing the key analytical methods to support the measurement of titer, impurities and product quality for in-process intermediates. The successful candidate will support the setup of analytical capabilities within protein process development group, perform the method qualification of in process analytical methods and apply the methods for process characterizations. 

This position is for a scientific role which will be lab based, and will require excellent scientific judgment, independence, precise and consistent data generation and thorough record keeping.

Essential Functions:

  • Assist in setting up instrument capabilities to enable the analytical methods development and qualification for protein process characterization.
  • Perform protein analysis using HPLC (size exclusion, ion exchange, reversed phase, etc), CE-SDS, CE-Lif, PicoGreen and Bradford assay, Capillary Western (Jess and Leo), A280 and SoloVPE.
  • Acquire and interpret data for protein titer, molecule characterization for protein process development studies with precision and accuracy.
  • Maintain good documentation practices for recording experimental plans and results in electronic lab notebook and associated reports. 
  • Assist in troubleshooting of instrumentation and test results. 
  • Able to work well independently and in a team setting on assigned tasks, such as method development and sample testing. 
  • Participate in group meetings, present results of work, interpret data, and report results in an accurate manner.
  • Work with lab automation to create high throughput methods leveraging liquid handling and robotic technologies.
  • Work in collaboration with other scientists/SME to design experiments and advance more powerful analytical techniques.

Requirements: 

  • B.S. in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field with minimum 5 years relevant industry experience; MS with minimum 3 years industry experience in Pharma/Biotech industry required.
  • Strong technical understanding in analytical chemistry. Hands on proficiency and with protein analysis using HPLC, CE-SDS, Western blotting, Spectroscopy, etc.
  • Perform accurate and reliable data analysis and interpretation of experimental results related to process characterization.
  • Ability to think critically and demonstrate troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
  • Maintain accurate records of experimental procedures, results and conclusion in compliance with regulatory guidelines.
  • Team player, proactive and willing to work in a collaborative team environment.
  • Scientific creativity and curiosity for applying new technologies to complex analytical challenges.
Reports to: Staff Scientist, Protein Process Development
 
Location: San Carlos, CA
 
Compensation:
The compensation package will be competitive and includes comprehensive benefits and an equity component.
 
Salary Range: $118,000 – $138,000 (SF Bay Area). Salary ranges for non-California locations may vary.

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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