Scientist VIE Contract

About The Job

As Scientist VIE within our Virology Group within the Global Antigen Design (GAD) Function, youll contribute to the development of vaccine candidates from lead optimization to IND-enabling activities. The team promotes state-of-the-art scientific/technological competencies and resources to support projects, streamlined to customer needs. The mission is performed with respect to Health, Safety, Environment and Security (HSES) rules, in compliance with all other Sanofi policies and standards (Quality, Ethics, Integrity, Human Resources levers), and in accordance with the driving principles of the GAD organization (acceleration mindset, project centricity, customer centricity, harmonization of practices, flexibility, innovation capacity).

This assignment offers a young professional the opportunity to gain hands-on international experience in vaccine virology, working alongside experienced scientists and benefiting from a dedicated mentor throughout the assignment. The primary responsibilities of the Scientist, Virology will be to support new and ongoing vaccine projects by overseeing preclinical studies with the aim to identify lead vaccine candidates against clinically important viral pathogens. This position provides key contributions to the new vaccine (NV) research portfolio. VIE is an accomplished Virologist and recognized internal subject matter expert and may lead local scientific teams and/or sub-teams of wide impact and multidisciplinary scope.

Join the team protecting half a billion lives every year with next-gen science, mRNA innovation, and AI-driven breakthroughs. In Vaccines, youll help advance prevention on a global scale - and shape the future of immunization. Ready to get started?

Main Responsibilities

• Contribute to the innovative ways of thinking and cutting-edge technology to support next generation vaccines.
• Working as part of a team or independently, plan, design, and execute experiments within the scope of the Virology Platform, to meet the program objectives and demonstrate a willingness to implement new technologies and protocols to support the NV programs.
• Demonstrate technical proficiency, complex data analysis, and the ability to problem solve in a broad array of experimental protocols.
• Support efficient collaboration and alignment with other groups and functions to maximize value added.
• Support the team with identifying and setting up new technologies and/or equipment.
• Understand goals and identify own role in achieving them, meeting key deadlines that are set.
• Document all work appropriately in electronic lab notebooks and perform laboratory support activities such as maintaining equipment and ordering lab supplies.
• Work with contract research organizations (CROs) as needed.
• Comply with the company safety policies and HSE to minimize risk to self, others and the environment, consistent with HSE policies, community and industry standards.
• Identify and help to improve best practices in HSE operations.
• Document all work appropriately in appropriate electronic tools and perform laboratory support activities such as maintaining equipment and ordering lab supplies.

Experience

At least 1-year full time relevant experience (internship, thesis, or academic research in virology/vaccinology considered), prior lab experience in an industry or academic setting is a plus.

Technical And Soft Skills

• Foundational knowledge of and interest in developing Virological techniques: virus amplification, plaque assays, and neutralization assays.
• Exposure to Molecular Biology applications: PCR, cloning, RNA extraction, RT-PCR, sequencing analysis.
• Familiarity with mammalian protein expression platform and basic purification techniques.
• Knowledge to use agentic AI to analyse data from high-throughput system.
• Use of automation platforms and closed-loop learning cycles for candidate optimization.
• Willingness to learn and be trained on cross-functional assays and new methodologies.
• Familiarity with cell culture aseptic techniques.
• Exposure to automated or semi-automatic assay platforms is a plus.
• Familiarity with scientific software for data analytics and visualization is a plus (Geneious, SnapGene, Prism, Tableau, or Sequencher).
• Comfortable working in an agile, matrixed, international environment.
• Curiosity, entrepreneurial mindset, and eagerness to learn.
• Displays a high degree of integrity, decides and acts in the best interest of the Company.
• Good interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Resourcefulness: ability to find practical solutions to challenges.
• Motivated, results-oriented, and eager to contribute to challenging viral vaccine targets.

Education

Masters Degree in Virology or related field.

Languages

Fluent English.