Director, Bacterial Vaccine Discovery

AstraZeneca GmbH; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 172,466 - 258,699; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Paid vacation and holidays

Health benefits including medical and vision

Job summary

AstraZeneca GmbH in Gaithersburg, Maryland is seeking a Director of Bacterial Vaccine Discovery. This position will oversee a team focused on developing novel bacterial vaccines using various methodologies. Responsibilities include leading research, presenting findings, and managing external partnerships.

The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. and significant experience in vaccine research. Benefits include competitive salary and comprehensive health coverage.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, or related discipline, with 8+ years of industry experience.
• Proven leadership experience managing a team of junior scientists.
• Strong track record in bacterial vaccine research.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team in discovering and characterizing candidate vaccine antigens.
• Serve as subject matter expert for multiple programs.
• Oversee partnerships with academic institutions and biotech collaborators.

Skills

Leadership in vaccine research

Team management

Communication skills

Education

Ph.D. in microbiology, immunology, or related

Tools

Functional immunological assays

Budget management

Job description

The Director of Bacterial Vaccine Discovery in Early Infectious Disease leads efforts to discover and develop bacterial vaccines, including carbohydrate conjugate, mRNA, and protein-based approaches. The individual will lead a team of scientists in discovering and characterizing novel bacterial vaccines to build and advance the portfolio. The team will collaborate across groups within Bacterial Vaccines to identify effective vaccine candidates and fully characterize their immunogenicity and efficacy in preclinical disease models. The role also requires influencing senior internal stakeholders in Research, Bioprocess Development, and Regulatory Affairs, as well as managing external academic collaborations and contract research organizations to deliver the early vaccine portfolio.

Accountabilities

• Lead a team of scientists to discover and characterize candidate vaccine antigens, delivering robust in vitro and in vivo research packages that support pipeline progression and regulatory interactions.
• Serve as subject matter expert and research lead for multiple programs, presenting strategy and data to senior leaders at governance meetings.
• Present key findings and research progress at top-tier scientific conferences.
• Partner with Early Vaccines and Immune Therapies Translational Sciences to develop and transfer assays for characterizing immune responses in future clinical trials.
• Oversee and maintain accountability for partnerships with third parties, including academic institutions and biotech collaborators.
• Evaluate external science and partnering opportunities in collaboration with Business Development and the extended scientific team to expand the bacterial vaccine pipeline.
• Engage regularly with intellectual property attorneys to define and refine IP strategy for early-stage programs.
• Build and foster effective relationships with senior leaders across Research, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Clinical and Translational Medicine, and Global Project Teams to ensure cross-functional alignment.
• Ensure clear and objective communication of results, associated risks, uncertainties, and limitations across all projects and teams within the function.
• Define training and development opportunities for junior colleagues in line with best practices and scientific principles.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, biochemistry, or related discipline, with 8+ years of industry experience.
• Proven leadership experience managing a team of junior scientists (PhD and non-PhD level).
• Strong track record in bacterial vaccine research and/or bacterial pathogenesis.
• Demonstrated experience leading efforts to characterize immune responses and protective efficacy of vaccine antigens in small animal disease models.
• Familiarity with functional immunological assays, such as opsonophagocytic killing assays and serum bactericidal assays, used to measure vaccine-elicited immune responses.
• Cross-functional collaboration experience, successfully delivering research and development programs in a biotech or pharmaceutical setting.
• Experience supporting or leading interdisciplinary vaccine discovery or development programs from early research through candidate selection.
• Proven ability to develop and manage budgets for research programs and external partnerships.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with strong business analysis and consultancy capabilities.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $172,466.40 - $258,699.60. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program (401(k) plan); paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Date Posted 22-Jun-2026

Closing Date 05-Jul-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.