Staff Scientist, Research

Company: Initial Therapeutics, Inc.
Location: San Carlos
Posted on: April 1, 2025

Job Description:

Join our Mission to Protect Humankind!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, periodontitis and Shigella is just the beginning. Our path to success is clear and well-defined, and Vaxcyte is set up to go the distance.WHAT we do is every bit as important as HOW we 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 seeking a highly skilled Staff Scientist to join the Research team. The ideal candidate will primarily focus on formulation development while supporting conjugation chemistry and protein purification efforts. The candidate should have extensive experience in vaccine formulation, stability studies, and process development, and a strong background in cross-functional collaboration, technology transfer, and analytical characterization of biologics.This role is ideal for an experienced scientist with a proven track record in vaccine research, drug product development, and formulation optimization. The candidate will leverage their scientific expertise and leadership to advance vaccine candidates through various stages of development, from early formulation screening to clinical trials.Formulation & Drug Product Development:

• Lead the design, optimization, and scale-up of vaccine formulations.
• Conduct stability studies (accelerated, long-term, and forced degradation).
• Develop and implement container closure system evaluations for drug substance (DS) and drug product (DP) materials.
• Drive troubleshooting and process improvements, identifying scientific gaps and proposing solutions to formulation challenges.
• Manage preclinical and toxicology material development, including bedside mix approaches for early-phase clinical programs.Conjugation & Protein Purification:
  • Support conjugation chemistry efforts for protein-polysaccharide vaccines, optimizing conjugation strategies for enhanced immunogenicity.
  • Assist in protein purification workflows, including chromatographic separations, ultrafiltration, and characterization.
  • Collaborate with analytical teams to ensure proper quality control and characterization of conjugates and formulated products.Technology Transfer & Cross-Functional Collaboration:
    • Lead and support tech transfer activities to CMOs, including documentation, troubleshooting, and process scale-up.
    • Serve as the scientific lead in interactions with manufacturing, clinical, regulatory, and quality teams.
    • Author key documents for regulatory filings, including IND-enabling studies, process development reports, and batch records.
    • Drive the implementation of electronic lab notebooks (Benchling) and other digital tools to streamline documentation and data accuracy.Leadership & Team Development:
      • Mentor and develop junior scientists, fostering technical growth and professional development.
      • Provide strategic guidance in resource allocation and project timelines for formulation and process development programs.
      • Contribute to scientific publications, patents, and conference presentations to advance Vaxcyte's vaccine platforms.Requirements:
        • Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biochemistry, or a related field with 8+ years of industry experience; or M.S. with 13+ years; or B.S. with 16+ years.
        • Extensive expertise in vaccine formulation, stability studies, and drug product process development.
        • Hands-on experience with protein conjugation, purification, and analytical characterization (e.g., HPLC, SEC-MALS, DSC, DLS, CD, ELISA).
        • Proven ability to manage tech transfers, CMO interactions, and regulatory documentation.
        • Strong leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to manage and mentor junior scientists.
        • Experience in a GMP/GLP environment and knowledge of regulatory requirements for biologics is highly desirable.Reports to: Vice President, ResearchLocation: San Carlos, CACompensation:The compensation package will be competitive and includes comprehensive benefits and an equity component.Salary Range: $161,000 - $188,000Vaxcyte, Inc.825 Industrial Road, Suite 300San Carlos, CA 94070We 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.
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Keywords: Initial Therapeutics, Inc., San Francisco , Staff Scientist, Research, Other , San Carlos, California