Associate Scientist I, Research

Vaxcyte; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaxcyte in San Carlos, CA is seeking an Associate Scientist I, Research to support development of bacterial polysaccharide conjugate vaccines through analytical characterization and data reporting. The role emphasizes hands-on lab work, careful record-keeping, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Ideal candidate has a foundation in analytical chemistry with SDS-PAGE, HPLC, SEC-MALS, ELISA, and related assays, plus experience with Benchling or similar LIMS.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 0–2 years industry experience; MS with at least 1 year preferred.
• Proficiency with bioanalytical techniques (e.g., SDS-PAGE).
• Experience with Agilent HPLC OpenLab/ChemStation preferred.
• Experience with Wyatt MALS/dRI ASTRA preferred.
• Hands-on lab experience and meticulous record-keeping.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine in-house analytical assays for in-process intermediates and drug substances.
• Execute HPLC-SEC, RP-HPLC, SEC-MALS, SDS-PAGE, Western Blot, ELISA, and related colorimetric assays.
• Prepare buffers, reagents, and samples; maintain bench notebooks and data entries.
• Support instrument maintenance and daily laboratory operations; report data promptly.
• Summarize results and present findings to cross-functional teams and senior management.
• Assist method development, qualification, and troubleshooting under guidance.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry/Analytical Chemistry/Biochemistry

Master's degree in Chemistry/Analytical Chemistry/Biochemistry with 1+ year experience

Tools

SDS-PAGE

HPLC

SEC-MALS

Western Blot

ELISA

Benchling

Autoclave

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, Research, to support the development of bacterial polysaccharide conjugate vaccines. This laboratory-based role will focus on analytical characterization of in-process intermediates and drug substances, including proteins, polysaccharides, and polysaccharide-protein conjugates. The successful candidate will work with an interdisciplinary Research team to execute established analytical assays, prepare buffers and samples, analyze and report data, and support routine laboratory operations. Key techniques include SDS-PAGE, colorimetric plate-based assays such as ELISA, Hestrin, Bradford, Lowery, and Anthrone assays, HPLC, and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) with multiple detectors, including SEC-MALS. The candidate will also support the evaluation and implementation of additional assays as project needs evolve. The ideal candidate will have hands-on laboratory experience, a strong foundation in analytical principles, and a commitment to accurate and reproducible work. This individual will independently execute established protocols following training, with guidance on troubleshooting and data interpretation. Additional responsibilities include maintaining detailed laboratory records, participating in team meetings, and contributing to presentations for cross-functional teams, external collaborators, and senior management.

Essential Functions:

• Perform routine in-house analytical assays to characterize our in-process intermediates and drug substances containing proteins, polysaccharides, and protein-polysaccharide conjugates.
• Execute assays including but not limited to HPLC-SEC, RP-HPLC, SEC-MALS, SDS-PAGE, Western Blot and colorimetric microplate assays such as ELISA, Lowery, Bradford, Hestrin, and Anthrone assays.
• Independently prepare buffers, reagents, and samples according to established protocols, including large-volume buffer preparation as needed.
• Independently prepare, autoclave, and handle essential equipment and supplies to support the team's experimental.
• Complete any assigned tasks and report data promptly and accurately to support project timelines.
• Keep accurate and detailed records of experiments in laboratory notebooks and Benchling entries.
• Review assay results, recognize unexpected findings, and communicate observations or technical issues to the appropriate team members.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and organized laboratory records in Benchling and other designated systems to support data integrity, traceability, and reproducibility.
• Summarize experimental results and communicate findings clearly at team meetings and to cross-functional collaborators.
• Support analytical method development, qualification, and troubleshooting under the guidance of experienced scientists.
• Collaborate with colleagues to coordinate sample testing and support shared project goals.
• Support daily laboratory operations, including maintaining supplies, organizing workspaces, and performing routine instrument maintenance.

Requirements:

• B.S. in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, or Biochemistry, or a related discipline, with 0-2 years of relevant industry experience. M.S. with minimum of 1 year of experience. Other combinations of education and/or experience may be considered.
• Proficiency and hands-on experience with bioanalytical techniques is required, e.g. SDS-PAGE.
• A background and hand-on experience with Agilent HPLC using OpenLab/ Chemstation software for data acquisition and analysis is preferred.
• A background and hand-on experience with Wyatt Technology detectors including MALS and dRI using ASTRA software for data acquisition and analysis is preferred.
• Hands-on experience working with