Associate Scientist Ii, Analytical Development For Characterization

Vaxcyte, Inc. (Nasdaq: PCVX) is a vaccine innovation company engineering high-fidelity vaccines to protect humankind from the consequences of bacterial diseases. The Company is developing broad-spectrum conjugate and novel protein vaccines to prevent or treat bacterial infectious diseases. Vaxcyte's lead candidate, VAX-24, is a 24-valent, broad-spectrum, carrier-sparing pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) being developed for the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). The Company is re-engineering the way highly complex immunizations are made through modern synthetic techniques, including advanced chemistry and our exclusively licensed XpressCFTM cell-free protein synthesis platform. Unlike conventional cell-based approaches, the Company's system for producing difficult-to-make proteins and antigens is intended to accelerate its ability to efficiently create and deliver high-fidelity vaccines with enhanced immunological benefits. Vaxcyte's pipeline also includes VAX-31, a 31-valent PCV candidate; VAX-A1, a prophylactic vaccine candidate designed to prevent Group A Strep infections; VAX-PG, a therapeutic vaccine candidate designed to slow or stop the progression of periodontal disease; and VAX-GI, a vaccine program designed to prevent Shigella. The Company is driven to eradicate or treat invasive bacterial infections, which have serious and costly health consequences when left unchecked. For more information, visit www.vaxcyte.com.

 

Vaxcyte, headquartered in San Carlos, CA, went public in June 2020 and currently has a team of approximately 180 employees and anticipates continued, significant growth. Following equity offerings in October 2022 and April 2023, which generated over $1.1 billion in net proceeds, the Company's balance sheet is further strengthened to advance its pipeline of novel vaccines, including VAX-24. These financings followed positive data readouts from Vaxcyte's Phase 1/2 proof-of-concept study evaluating VAX-24 in adults aged 18-64 and Phase 2 study in adults 65 and older. The Company believes these results support a best-in-class potential for VAX-24, which was designed to replace the current standard-of-care in adults and children. VAX-24 is being investigated for the prevention of IPD, which can be most serious for infants, young children, older adults and those with immune deficiencies or certain chronic health conditions. Given the global impact of pneumococcal disease remains significant, the public health community continues to advocate for vaccines that can offer broader protection to prevent IPD. Vaxcyte's PCV franchise, consisting of VAX-24 and VAX-31, is designed specifically to address this need and has the potential to deliver the broadest protection for this very serious disease. We believe that our PCVs could receive regulatory approval based on successful completion of clinical studies utilizing well-defined surrogate immune endpoints, consistent with how other PCVs have obtained regulatory approval in the past, rather than requiring clinical field efficacy studies.

 

 

Vaxcyte is looking for an energetic and talented individual to join our Analytical Development team. Primary responsibility for the incumbent will be to support the developmental activities currently on going in the laboratory as assigned.

Essential Functions:

• Assist in the design, execution and interpretation of experiments to analyze drug substances and intermediates such as proteins and carbohydrates including:
•    Microplate assays including enzymatic assays.
•    HPLC- Especially SEC and RP-HPLC with experience in Chemstation.
•    CE and iCIEF - Especially with Protein Simple or PA-800 systems.
• Assist in analytical method development of new assays.
• Keep accurate and detailed records of experiments.
• Summarize data and communicate to analytical team.
• Support daily lab operations, sample inventory and sample shipment.
• Work within a team environment and provide support to further team objectives.
• Complete any assigned tasks in high quality and in a timely manner.

Requirements:

• BS in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry preferred, Organic / Biochemistry considered, with 2-6 years of relevant industry experience or MS with 1-4 years.
• Ideal candidate will have a background in analytical chemistry principles and hands-on experience with modern analytical instrumentations commonly used in the analysis and characterization of drug candidates. Candidates with other scientific disciplines may be considered based on relevant experience.
• Experience in chemical and biological assays such as colorimetric/ fluorimetric microplate assays and HPLC.
• Experience working with protein analysis - UV-Vis, CE, BCAs etc.
• Experience working with carbohydrate analysis and SEC-MALS a plus.
• Understanding of basic principles of analytical method development/ validation/ qualification concepts.
• Attention to detail and excellent skills in record keeping / documentation. Critical thinking and ability to analyze data.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in written formats.
• Ability to work under supervision and independently in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment and collaborate effectively with other team members. Eagerness and ability to learn and understand new concepts with ease.
• All Vaxcyte employees require vaccination against COVID-19.

Reports to:Scientist II, Analytical Development

 

Location: San Carlos, CA

 

The compensation package will be competitive and includes comprehensive benefits and an equity component.

 

 

Salary Range: $106,000 - $115,000

careers@vaxcyte.com

 

Vaxcyte, Inc.

825 Industrial Road, Suite 300

San Carlos, CA 94070

 

We 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.