Associate Scientist I (Contract), Research

Vaxcyte; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 55,104 - 61,992; Full time

Job summary

Vaxcyte, based in San Carlos, CA, is seeking an Associate Scientist I for a 12-month contract focused on developing a novel bacterial vaccine. The role involves hands-on laboratory work, from bacterial culture through analytical characterization, ideal for candidates with biochemistry backgrounds and relevant industry experience.

The successful candidate will engage in experimental setups and collaborate across teams, embodying Vaxcyte's values of innovation and excellence. This position is fully onsite, offering an hourly pay range of $40 to $45.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of industry experience or relevant internships.
• Hands-on experience with bioreactors and shake flasks.
• Experience in purification methods and analytical methods.

Responsibilities

• Set up and optimize bacterial cultures in bioreactors.
• Maintain bacterial cell bank and conduct routine maintenance.
• Analyze polysaccharides and conjugates with various assays.

Skills

Laboratory-scale fermentation techniques

Proficiency in aseptic sample handling

Attention to detail

Analytical methods

Education

BS. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field

Tools

Sartorius bioreactor systems

HPLC

SEC-MALS

Job description

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 an Associate Scientist I (Contract) who will contribute to the research and development of a novel bacterial polysaccharide conjugate vaccine. Specifically, this will include upstream bacterial culture, downstream polysaccharide purification and processing, and analytical characterization of polysaccharides and polysaccharide-protein conjugates. The ideal candidate will have an excellent understanding of bioreactors, Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) aseptic cell culture, column chromatography, tangential flow filtration, related analytical chemistry principles, and significant laboratory experience. The successful candidate will be expected to independently execute laboratory experiments following established protocols and standard operating procedures. The candidate will also contribute when needed to a range of related areas, such as analytical development and stability studies. Responsibilities will also include record management, presenting data at group meetings, and contributing to the authorship of laboratory protocols and development reports.

Essential Functions:

• Set up, optimize, and troubleshoot upstream BSL-2 level pathogenic bacterial culture using different scales of the Sartorius bioreactor systems and shake flasks.
• Maintain and expand bacterial cell bank, perform buffer preparation, and conduct routine instrument maintenance.
• Purify and process polysaccharides using a variety of methods, including organic solvent extraction, acid boil, dialysis, FPLC chromatography, tangential flow filtration (TFF), and microfluidizer.
• Actively contribute to designing and developing new protocols, assays, and laboratory procedures from first principles to compare different activation chemistries for polysaccharides and their effects on the conjugation process.
• Analyze polysaccharides and conjugates with methods including colorimetric assays, HPLC assays, and SEC-MALS.
• Collect, maintain highly organized data records, and ensure the accuracy and integrity of Benchling entries.
• Attend team meetings ready to provide updates on development progress.
• Be an outstanding teammate and collaborate across groups, both internal and external to Vaxcyte.
• Cultivate a cohesive, innovative, and productive team environment.

Requirements:

• BS. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field with minimum 1 year of industry experience, or B.S. with 2+ internships or related laboratory experiences.
• Hands-on experience with laboratory-scale fermentation techniques, including shake flasks and bioreactors, is required.
• Demonstrate proficiency in fundamental laboratory techniques, including aseptic sample handling, precision pipetting, SDS-PAGE, and Western blotting, is required.
• Experience in purification methods such as dialysis, diafiltration, size-exclusion chromatography, and tangential flow filtration (TFF) is highly desirable.
• Experience in analytical methods, including colorimetric assays, size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), SDS-PAGE, and Western blotting for characterization of reaction products, is a plus.
• Attention to detail and excellent organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills: ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in written formats.
• Self-starter: ability to work in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment and collaborate effectively with other team members.
• Enthusiasm to learn the new skills and techniques necessary to tackle problems outside of the current area of expertise.

Reports to: Senior Manager, Research

Work Arrangement: Onsite

Location: San Carlos, CA

Expected Contract Length: 12 months

Hourly Range: $40/hr. - $45/hr.

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.