Scientist II, Analytical Development

Vaxcyte; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 151,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Equity component

Job summary

Vaxcyte is seeking an energetic and talented individual to join our Analytical Development team in San Carlos, CA. The role focuses on supporting developmental activities in the laboratory, including method development, optimization, and transfer, with emphasis on data integrity and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities include trouble-shooting, instrument maintenance coordination, and mentoring junior staff, while ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• PhD with 2–5 years; MS with 7+ years; BS with 10+ years of relevant industry experience in analytical development, QC, or related field.
• Strong hands-on experience with colorimetric and fluorescent plate-based assays, UV-Vis, HPLC, CE, SDS-PAGE, icIEF, ELISA, Western Blot, and PCR.
• Experience independently driving method development or optimization activities preferred.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to method development, optimization, and qualification/validation readiness activities.
• Design and execute experiments to evaluate critical method parameters and define system suitability and control strategies.
• Troubleshoot assay and instrument performance issues using a structured approach and document outcomes and recommendations.
• Support and/or execute method transfer activities, including protocol preparation and training support.
• Support lab management and operations, including sample and inventory tracking.
• Author and revise analytical methods, SOPs, and technical reports with clear documentation for internal review.

Education

PhD in Chemistry/ Biochemistry/ Biology/ Pharmaceutical Sciences

MS in Chemistry/ Biochemistry/ Biology/ Pharmaceutical Sciences

BS in Chemistry/ Biochemistry/ Biology/ Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tools

HPLC

CE

SDS-PAGE

icIEF

UV-Vis

ELISA

Western Blot

PCR

Job description

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.

WHATwe do is every bit as important asHOWwe 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 energetic and talented individual to join our Analytical Development team. Primary responsibility for the incumbent will be to support the developmental activities currently on going in the laboratory as assigned.

Essential Functions:

• Contribute to method development, optimization, and qualification/validation readiness activities.
• Design and execute experiments to evaluate critical method parameters and define appropriate system suitability and control strategies.

Troubleshoot assay and instrument performance issues using a structured approach; interpret data to identify likely root causes, implement corrective actions, and document outcomes and recommendations.

Support and/or execute method transfer activities, including protocol preparation, training support, execution at receiving labs, and resolution of transfer issues.

Support lab management and operations, including sample and inventory tracking.

Author and revise analytical methods, SOPs, protocols, and technical reports; ensure clear documentation of experimental rationale, results, and conclusions for internal review and stakeholder communication.

Laboratory Operations & Instrumentation:

Coordinate routine instrument maintenance and service activities; interface with vendors and lab management team as needed and support timely issue resolution.

Ensure laboratory organization, cleanliness, and compliant material labeling/storage practices.

Manage inventory of reagents, standards, and consumables; initiate procurement, track critical supplies, and support forecasting to avoid stockouts.

Partner effectively with cross-functional teams to define analytical plans, meet project timelines, and deliver high-quality outputs.

Communicate experimental progress, data interpretation, and emerging risks clearly; propose mitigation plans and align next steps with stakeholders.

Contribute to a compliant, safety-focused, and scientifically rigorous lab culture; model good documentation practices and data integrity expectations.

Train and mentor junior staff/new team members on analytical assays, workflows, and troubleshooting; provide day-to-day technical guidance and feedback.

Analytical Testing & Data Generation:

Perform routine and non-routine analytical testing using modern analytical methods (e.g., HPLC/UPLC, SEC, CE, UV-Vis, ELISA, electrophoresis, plate-based assays, and other biochemical/biophysical techniques).

Execute assays in accordance with approved methods, SOPs, and applicable quality standards (GLP/GMP as applicable); identify and troubleshoot common issues.

Perform data processing and interpretation; summarize results, trends, and potential risks, and elevate complex findings for review and decision-making.

Maintain accurate, timely documentation in laboratory notebooks or electronic systems; contribute to clear technical communications to project and cross-functional stakeholders.

Safety & Compliance:

Follow all Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) policies and laboratory safety practices.

Handle chemicals and biological materials safely and in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Ensure proper waste disposal and adherence to hazardous material handling procedures.

Support audit and inspection readiness activities where applicable.

Requirements:

PhD, MS or Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline. PhD with 2–5 years; MS with 7+ years; BS with 10+ years of relevant industry experience in analytical development, QC, or related field.

Strong hands-on experience with multiple analytical techniques, such as colorimetric and fluorescent plate-based assays, UV-Vis, HPLC, CE, SDS-PAGE, icIEF, liquid chromatography, enzyme kinetics, colorimetric and fluorescent plate-based assays, ELISA, Western Blot, and PCR.

Experience independently driving method development or optimization activities preferred.

Strong knowledge of analytical chemistry/biochemistry principles with demonstrated application to assay development and control strategies.

Proven ability to independently troubleshoot non-routine assay and instrument issues using structured root-cause analysis and data-driven decision making.

Proficient with analytical software, data processing workflows, and statistical tools.

Strong scientific judgment and attention to detail; consistently produces high-quality, inspection-ready documentation.

Ability to independently plan and prioritize work, manage multiple projects, and meet timelines with minimal supervision.

Clear and effective written and verbal communication; able to summarize complex data, present recommendations, and collaborate across functions.

Ability to work in a laboratory environment for extended periods.

Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.

Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) required.

Contribute to a positive, inclusive, and safety-focused laboratory culture.

Other combinations of education and/or experience may be considered.

Reports to: Senior Manager, Analytical Development

Work Arrangement (may be adjusted based on business needs, job responsibilities, or changes to company policy): Onsite (minimum of 4 days per week)

Compensation: The compensation package will be competitive and includes comprehensive benefits and an equity component.

Salary Range: $151,000 – $176,000 (SF Bay Area). Salary ranges for non-California locations may vary.

Relocation:This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.

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.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Vaxcyte’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.