Associate Scientist I (Contract), Research

About the Role

Vaxcyte’s Research team uses a broad palette of chromatographic tools to purify diverse vaccine antigens. Applicants must have practical, hands-on experience with multiple chromatographic modalities (not limited to monoclonal antibody/Protein A workflows). Experience should include selection, screening, development, scale-up and characterization of various chromatography techniques.

Responsibilities

• Execute the following AKTA FPLC chromatography techniques:
  • Immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC)
  • Ion-exchange chromatography (IEX)
  • Hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC)
  • Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC)
  • Hydroxyapatite (CHT / HA)
• Design chromatography trains to reduce host cell protein, endotoxin, and aggregates using complementary modalities.
• Demonstrated DoE experience for multimodal optimization is a plus.
• Use membrane chromatography for high-throughput contaminant removal or virus/VLP processing and as a scale-friendly polishing/scavenging step.
• Keep accurate and current records of development experiments and/or project-related activities in an electronic laboratory notebook.
• Present data from experiments to the team and contribute to technical discussions.
• Work within a team environment and provide support as necessary to further the team’s initiatives.

Requirements

• BS in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a relevant science, with a minimum of 6 years of relevant internship or industry experience.
• Experience with diverse protein targets, including bacterial and eukaryotic recombinant proteins, small/large subunit vaccine antigens, fusion proteins, multimeric complexes, glycoproteins, and VLPs.
• Familiarity with capture/polishing methods and orthogonal cleaning strategies appropriate for potential vaccine antigens.
• Familiarity with automation or high-throughput workflows such as 96-well plates and UNICORN/AKTA software DoE integrations.
• Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate well within the team and excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Reports to: Senior Scientist, Research
Location: San Carlos, CA
Work Arrangement: Onsite
Expected Contract Length: 12 months

Pay

Hourly Range: $40/hr. - $45/hr.

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.