Automation Scientist, Drug Product Analytics

Vaxcyte; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaxcyte is seeking an energetic scientist to own laboratory automation within Drug Product Analytics, focusing on designing, programming, and deploying automated analytical workflows on Hamilton platforms, starting with the MSD multiplex immunoassay suite.

Ideal candidates bring hands-on experience with Hamilton VENUS, immunoassays, and robust data reporting, with the ability to manage multiple projects and ensure high-quality results in a fast-paced development setting.

Qualifications

• PhD, MS or Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline.
• PhD with 0-2 years; MS with 5+ years; BS with 8+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Senior Research Associate level with strong laboratory automation experience also considered.

Responsibilities

• Support the design, development, programming, and deployment of automated analytical methods on Hamilton liquid handling platforms, serving as the hands-on technical lead responsible for building, testing, validating, and maintaining automated assay workflows within Drug Product Analytics.
• Program, script, and troubleshoot automated methods in Hamilton VENUS software, independently resolving robotic hardware, liquid-handling, labware, and system integration issues to keep automated assays running reliably.
• Execute routine and non-routine analysis of internal release, development, and stability samples using a variety of analytical techniques across Drug Product working groups, ensuring high-quality data generation and reporting.
• Automate, execute, optimize, and continuously improve Vaxcyte's internal multiplex immunoassay (MSD) assay suite, including transferring manual assays onto the automated platform, troubleshooting assay performance, improving robustness, and supporting assay lifecycle management.
• Support analytical comparability assessments including study design, execution, statistical data analysis, and reporting.
• Contribute to method development, qualification, and technology transfer activities, including collaboration with external analytical laboratories and manufacturing CMOs.
• Author and review technical documentation including assay protocols, SOPs, automated method files and scripts, reports, study plans, and technical summaries in support of development and analytical activities.
• Support the Vaxcyte PCV and VAXA1 programs through cross-functional collaboration with Drug Product Development, Formulation, Analytical Development, Quality, and external partners.
• Flexible and collaborative scientist comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced development environment; lab-based role requiring strong scientific judgment, independence, rigor, and meticulous record keeping.

Skills

Automated liquid handling

Hamilton VENUS

Immunoassay

MSD multiplex assay

Lab automation

Scripting

Education

PhD, MS or BS in Chemistry/ Biochemistry/ Biology/ Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tools

Hamilton automation hardware

Venus software

Job description

Vaxcyte is seeking an energetic scientist to own laboratory automation within Drug Product Analytics, focusing on designing, programming, and deploying automated analytical workflows on Hamilton platforms, starting with the MSD multiplex immunoassay suite.

Ideal candidates bring hands-on experience with Hamilton VENUS, immunoassays, and robust data reporting, with the ability to manage multiple projects and ensure high-quality results in a fast-paced development setting.