Senior Immunologist - Vaccine Development Research

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Sur place; ZAR 1 000 000 - 1 500 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Performance-based bonuses

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plan

Professional development support

Résumé du poste

Placements24 in Bloemfontein seeks a Senior Immunologist to lead cutting-edge vaccine research and translate immunology into novel vaccine candidates. The role oversees study design, data interpretation, and collaboration across a multidisciplinary team.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD with 5+ years in vaccine-related immunology, and hands-on expertise in flow cytometry, ELISA, ELISpot, western blotting, and cell culture. Strong publication record and team mentorship are expected.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Immunology, Microbiology, or Molecular Biology (or related life science).
• Minimum 5 years post-doctoral or industry experience in immunology with vaccine development focus.
• Hands-on experience with immunological techniques (flow cytometry, ELISA, ELISpot, western blotting, cell culture).

Responsabilités

• Design, execute, and interpret experiments investigating immune responses to pathogens and vaccine candidates.
• Develop and optimize in vitro and in vivo immunological assays to assess vaccine efficacy and safety.
• Characterize immune cell populations, cytokine profiles, and antibody responses using flow cytometry, ELISA, and ELISpot.
• Contribute to preclinical development of vaccine candidates, including formulation and adjuvant selection.
• Analyze and interpret complex immunological data using statistical methods.
• Collaborate with virologists, vaccinologists, and researchers to advance vaccine projects.
• Prepare research findings for publication and conferences.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to laboratory management and best practices.
• Stay abreast of advancements in immunology and vaccinology.

Connaissances

Immunology

Data analysis

Publications

Independent & collaborative work

Experiment design

Formation

Ph.D. in Immunology

Outils

Flow cytometry

ELISA

ELISpot

Western blotting

Cell culture

Description du poste

About the Role

Our client, a leading biotechnology research institute based in Bloemfontein, Free State , is seeking a highly motivated Senior Immunologist to drive cutting-edge research in vaccine development. This role is critical for advancing our understanding of immune responses and translating this knowledge into novel vaccine candidates. You will lead research projects, design and conduct experiments, analyze complex immunological data, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of scientists. The ideal candidate will possess a strong track record in immunology, particularly in areas relevant to infectious diseases and vaccine design, coupled with expertise in experimental techniques and data interpretation. This is an outstanding opportunity to make a significant contribution to public health and advance your career in a world-class research setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and interpret experiments investigating immune responses to pathogens and vaccine candidates.
• Develop and optimize in vitro and in vivo immunological assays to assess vaccine efficacy and safety.
• Characterize immune cell populations, cytokine profiles, and antibody responses using techniques such as flow cytometry, ELISA, and ELISpot.
• Contribute to the preclinical development of novel vaccine candidates, including formulation and adjuvant selection.
• Analyze and interpret complex immunological data, applying statistical methods as appropriate.
• Collaborate with virologists, vaccinologists, and other researchers to advance vaccine projects.
• Prepare research findings for publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentation at scientific conferences.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to laboratory management and best practices.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in immunology, vaccinology, and related fields.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a related life science field.
• A minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in immunology research, with a specific focus on vaccine development.
• Extensive hands‑on experience with a broad range of immunological techniques (e.g., flow cytometry, ELISA, ELISpot, western blotting, cell culture).
• Proven ability to design and conduct complex experiments, analyze data, and interpret results.
• Strong understanding of infectious diseases, host‑pathogen interactions, and vaccine immunology.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of publications.
• Experience with animal models for infectious diseases and/or vaccine studies is highly desirable.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Proficiency in data analysis software is a plus.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary package commensurate with experience, along with performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance are provided.
• We offer a generous retirement plan and substantial support for ongoing professional development, including conference attendance and advanced training.
• Paid time off is provided to ensure a healthy work-life balance.
• The opportunity to work in cutting-edge research facilities in Bloemfontein, Free State , provides an excellent platform for career growth.
• This role offers a significant chance to contribute to global health through pioneering vaccine research.