Senior Immunologist: Vaccine R&D Lead

Placements24; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health & retirement benefits

Educational support

Paid time off

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Immunologist for a premier biopharmaceutical setting in Sandton, Gauteng. The role centers on designing, executing, and analyzing studies to assess immune responses, vaccine efficacy, and safety, contributing to the development of novel vaccines.

The ideal candidate brings a Ph.D. in Immunology or related field and at least 6 years of postdoctoral or industry experience, with hands-on immunological assays and preclinical models, and a strong publication track

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Infectious Diseases, or related field.
• Minimum 6 years of postdoctoral or industry experience in immunology with vaccine focus.
• Deep knowledge of immune system components and T-cell/B-cell responses.
• Experience with immunological assays and preclinical models is desirable.
• Understanding of vaccine development and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct in vitro and in vivo studies to evaluate vaccine candidates and their immunogenicity.
• Characterize immune responses, including cellular and humoral immunity, elicited by vaccines.
• Develop and optimize immunological assays (e.g., ELISpot, flow cytometry, ELISA, neutralizing antibody assays).
• Analyze and interpret complex immunological data, generating robust conclusions.
• Collaborate with formulation scientists to optimize vaccine delivery and stability.
• Contribute to the planning and execution of preclinical vaccine studies.
• Stay current with advancements in immunology and vaccinology.
• Prepare detailed research reports, contribute to publications, and present findings at conferences.
• Work with regulatory affairs teams to support IND-enabling studies.
• Mentor junior scientists and foster a collaborative environment.

Skills

Immunology expertise

Immunological assays

Data analysis

Education

Ph.D. in Immunology or related life science

Tools

ELISpot

Flow cytometry

ELISA

Neutralizing antibody assays

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Immunologist for a premier biopharmaceutical setting in Sandton, Gauteng. The role centers on designing, executing, and analyzing studies to assess immune responses, vaccine efficacy, and safety, contributing to the development of novel vaccines.

The ideal candidate brings a Ph.D. in Immunology or related field and at least 6 years of postdoctoral or industry experience, with hands-on immunological assays and preclinical models, and a strong publication track