Senior Immunologist - Vaccine Development

Placements24; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Modern lab facilities

Conference attendance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Immunologist in Bloemfontein to lead design, execution, and analysis of immunological studies within a vaccine development program. You will guide vaccine design and optimization, working in a collaborative research environment.

The role requires a PhD in immunology or related field with 5+ years of vaccine research experience and hands-on use of flow cytometry, ELISpot and ELISA. Strong data analysis, scientific writing, and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• PhD in Immunology, Microbiology, or a related life science field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in immunology research, with a focus on vaccine development.
• Hands-on experience with immunological techniques including flow cytometry, cell culture and antibody-based assays.
• Proven ability to design, execute and troubleshoot complex immunological experiments.
• Strong analytical skills and experience in statistical analysis of biological data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience in scientific writing.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct immunological assays to evaluate vaccine immunogenicity and protective efficacy.
• Characterize cellular and humoral immune responses to vaccine candidates using flow cytometry, ELISpot, and ELISA.
• Analyze and interpret complex immunological data, ensuring experimental integrity and reproducibility.
• Collaborate with virologists, vaccinologists, and formulation scientists to optimize vaccine strategies.
• Contribute to the preparation of regulatory submission documents and research publications.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in immunology and vaccine technology.

Skills

Flow cytometry

Cell culture

ELISA

ELISpot

Biostatistics

Scientific writing

Immunology research

Education

PhD in Immunology

PhD in Microbiology

Tools

Flow cytometer

ELISA reader

ELISpot instrument

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a dedicated Senior Immunologist to contribute to their vital Vaccine Development program in Bloemfontein . This role is integral to designing, executing, and analyzing immunological studies that assess the efficacy and safety of novel vaccine candidates. You will work within a collaborative research environment, applying your deep understanding of immune responses to guide vaccine design and optimization. The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience in immunology, a strong track record in vaccine research, and a passion for making a significant impact on global public health, championing a culture of scientific rigor and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and conduct immunological assays to evaluate vaccine immunogenicity and protective efficacy.
• Characterize cellular and humoral immune responses to vaccine candidates using techniques such as flow cytometry, ELISpot, and ELISA.
• Analyze and interpret complex immunological data, ensuring experimental integrity and reproducibility.
• Collaborate with virologists, vaccinologists, and formulation scientists to optimize vaccine strategies.
• Contribute to the preparation of regulatory submission documents and research publications.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in immunology and vaccine technology.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Immunology, Microbiology, or a related life science field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in immunology research, with a specific focus on vaccine development .
• Hands-on experience with a broad range of immunological techniques, including flow cytometry, cell culture, and antibody-based assays.
• Proven ability to design, execute, and troubleshoot complex immunological experiments.
• Strong analytical skills and experience in statistical analysis of biological data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience in scientific writing.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunity to work on impactful vaccines contributing to public health.
• Access to modern laboratory facilities and advanced immunological tools in Bloemfontein .
• Support for professional development, including attendance at scientific conferences.
• A collaborative and dynamic research environment focused on scientific advancement.