Scientist II, Upstream Development for Protein Development and Manufacturing

About the role

Vaxcyte is seeking a talented and experienced Scientist II to join the Upstream Process Development group within the Protein Development and CMC team. This position is part of a team pursuing bacterial fermentation development at Vaxcyte.

Responsibilities

• Contribute significantly to the development and characterization of upstream fermentation processes.
• Serve as a primary technical contributor to operational activities related to bioreactor set-up, monitoring, harvest, and maintenance.
• Develop, test, and implement recipe scripting for fed-batch fermentation feeding controls.
• Provide engineering support for design, implementation, and qualification of scale-down models.
• Author SOPs (standard operating procedure), process flow diagrams and batch records.
• Analyze and present fermentation data at internal project meetings.
• Participate in upstream database management and documentation in electronic notebooks.
• Collaborate with Downstream Process Development, Pilot Plant, MSAT, or Analytical Development as needed.
• Provide guidance or mentorship to junior team members.

Requirements

• PhD with 2-5 years, MS with 7 years, or BA/BS with a minimum of 10 years of relevant Pharma/Biotech industry experience.
• Strong scientific background and hands-on experience with fermentation and/or primary recovery unit operations.
• Good understanding in fundamentals of bioreactor design, operation and controls.
• Strong knowledge of aseptic techniques.
• Mechanical and technical knowledge of primary recovery unit operations such as homogenization, centrifugation, and depth filtration, is a plus.
• Understanding of fermentation scale up and development of scale down models.
• Familiarity with DoE (Design of Experiments) principles and software.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements of biotherapeutics.
• Late-stage process characterization experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• Skilled upstream scientist with expertise in developing and characterizing bacterial fermentation processes for protein production.
• Hands-on experience operating and maintaining bioreactors, including Ambr® 250, at laboratory scale.
• Experience with pilot scale fermentation and recovery equipment is a plus.
• Exceptional team player who works seamlessly with others, speaks up, and remains focused on achieving the best results to achieve company goals.
• Experienced scientist who works with growing independence, collaborates across functional teams, and mentors junior colleagues.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.

Skills

• Strong scientific background and hands-on experience with fermentation and/or primary recovery unit operations.
• Good understanding in fundamentals of bioreactor design, operation and controls.
• Strong knowledge of aseptic techniques.
• Mechanical and technical knowledge of primary recovery unit operations such as homogenization, centrifugation, and depth filtration, is a plus.
• Understanding of fermentation scale up and development of scale down models.
• Familiarity with DoE (Design of Experiments) principles and software.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements of biotherapeutics.
• Late-stage process characterization experience is a plus.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits and an equity component are included in the compensation package.

Pay

$146,000 - $171,000

Schedule

Onsite (5 days per week onsite)