Senior Associate Scientist, Research

About the role

Vaxcyte is a clinical-stage vaccine innovation company engineering high-fidelity vaccines to protect humankind from bacterial diseases such as invasive pneumococcal disease, Group A Strep, and Shigella. The company is guided by four core values: Rethink Convention, Aim High, Lead with Heart, Model Excellence. Vaxcyte seeks a highly motivated and detail‑oriented Senior Associate Scientist to join the Research Department, focusing on the conjugation of polysaccharides and proteins for innovative conjugate vaccines. The position is based in San Carlos, CA.

Responsibilities

• Perform conjugation of polysaccharides and proteins using established chemical methods to create conjugate vaccines.
• Develop, optimize, and scale up conjugation processes to improve yield, stability, and reproducibility.
• Design and execute experiments to evaluate the physicochemical properties of conjugated vaccines, including size, charge, and antigenicity.
• Conduct analytical characterization of conjugates using techniques such as HPLC, SEC, MS, SDS-PAGE, UV‑Vis, and other relevant methods.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including Process Development, Analytical Development, and Quality Control, to ensure seamless project progression.
• Document experimental results accurately and maintain detailed laboratory notebooks in compliance with company policies and regulatory standards.
• Analyze and interpret data, prepare technical reports, and present findings to internal and external stakeholders.
• Stay up to date with current scientific literature and emerging technologies in conjugate vaccine development.

Requirements

• BS degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field with a minimum of 5 years of industry experience, or MS degree with a minimum of 3 years of industry experience (other combinations considered).
• Proficiency in conjugation techniques involving polysaccharides and proteins.
• Hands‑on experience with analytical methods for characterization of biomolecules.
• Knowledge of chemistry principles related to covalent coupling and crosslinking chemistries.
• Strong problem‑solving abilities and attention to detail.
• Excellent organizational and time‑management skills to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for reporting and collaborating.
• Experience in vaccine development or biopharmaceutical research.
• Familiarity with GLP/GMP environments and regulatory standards.
• Prior work involving carbohydrate chemistry or protein modifications.

Benefits

The compensation package includes comprehensive benefits and an equity component.

Pay

Salary range: $121,000 – $141,000.

Schedule

Work arrangement: Onsite (5 days per week onsite).