Senior Immunologist - Vaccine Research and Development

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement contributions

Paid time off

Advanced laboratory facilities

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Immunologist for a leading biotechnology client in East London, Eastern Cape. Design and execute immunogenicity studies, characterize immune responses to vaccine candidates, and contribute to novel vaccine platforms in a state‑of‑the‑art facility.

The role requires a PhD and 5+ years in immunology/vaccinology, with hands‑on experience in flow cytometry, ELISAs, ELISPOTs, and related assays.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Immunology, Microbiology, Virology, or related life sciences field.
• Minimum of 5 years post‑doctoral or industry experience in immunology research, with vaccine development or infectious diseases.
• Hands-on experience with immunological assays including flow cytometry, ELISAs, ELISPOTs.
• Strong understanding of vaccine development principles and infectious disease mechanisms.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments to assess immunogenicity and efficacy of vaccine candidates in vitro and in vivo.
• Characterize cellular and humoral immune responses using flow cytometry, ELISAs, ELISPOTs, and multiplex assays.
• Develop and optimize assays for measuring immune responses to specific antigens.
• Analyze and interpret immunological data and prepare comprehensive reports.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to manuscript preparation and conferences.

Skills

Immunology expertise

Vaccine development

Data analysis

Education

Ph.D. in Immunology, Microbiology, Virology, or related life sciences

Tools

Flow cytometry

ELISA

ELISPOT

Multiplex assays

Animal models

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned biotechnology company dedicated to pioneering innovative vaccine solutions, is seeking a Senior Immunologist to spearhead their vaccine research and development initiatives. This role is based in East London, Eastern Cape . You will be responsible for designing and executing immunogenicity studies, characterizing immune responses to vaccine candidates, and contributing to the development of novel vaccine platforms. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of immunology, virology, or vaccinology, with extensive hands‑on experience in laboratory techniques relevant to immune response assessment. You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and clinicians to advance vaccine candidates from preclinical stages through to clinical trials. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to global public health by developing life‑saving vaccines within South Africa , working in a state‑of‑the‑art research facility in East London .

Key Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments to assess the immunogenicity and efficacy of vaccine candidates in vitro and in vivo.
• Characterize cellular and humoral immune responses using techniques such as flow cytometry, ELISAs, ELISPOTs, and multiplex assays.
• Develop and optimize assays for the measurement of immune responses to specific antigens.
• Analyze and interpret complex immunological data, and prepare comprehensive reports.
• Collaborate with virologists, molecular biologists, and formulation scientists to advance vaccine candidates.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in immunology, vaccinology, and infectious diseases.
• Contribute to the preparation of manuscripts for publication and presentation at scientific conferences.
• Ensure adherence to laboratory safety protocols and good laboratory practices (GLP).
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the vaccine R&D pipeline.
• Mentor junior research staff and provide scientific guidance.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Immunology, Microbiology, Virology, or a related life sciences field.
• Minimum of 5 years of post‑doctoral or industry experience in immunology research, with a focus on vaccine development or infectious diseases.
• Demonstrated expertise in characterizing immune responses to infectious agents or vaccines.
• Hands‑on experience with a variety of immunological assays, including flow cytometry, ELISAs, and cell‑based assays.
• Strong understanding of vaccine development principles, immunology, and infectious disease mechanisms.
• Proficiency in data analysis and statistical interpretation of immunological data.
• Experience with animal models of infectious diseases or vaccine efficacy is highly desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team‑oriented research environment.
• Experience in vaccine formulation or adjuvant development is a plus for this role in East London.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits including health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid time off.
• Employees have access to advanced laboratory facilities and opportunities for continuous professional development, including conference participation and training programs.
• Join a dedicated team working on impactful vaccine research in East London.
• We provide a stimulating and collaborative work environment that encourages scientific innovation and career growth.
• This position is based at our cutting‑edge research center in the Eastern Cape , South Africa .