Scientist, Immunoassay Development

Join our Mission to Protect Humankind!

Vaxcyte is a clinical-stage vaccine innovation company engineering high-fidelity vaccines to protect humankind from the consequences of bacterial diseases, which have serious and costly health consequences when left unchecked. Working to eradicate or treat bacterial infections such as invasive pneumococcal disease, Group A Strep, and Shigella is just the beginning. Our path to success is clear and well-defined, and Vaxcyte is set up to go the distance.

WHAT we do is every bit as important as HOW we do it! Our work together is guided by four enduring 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.

Summary:

Vaxcyte is seeking an accomplished Scientist, Immunoassay Development to join the CMC Immunoassay group. This role will provide scientific and strategic leadership for the development, qualification, characterization, governance, and lifecycle management of critical reagents and reference materials that support immunoassays across Vaxcyte's vaccine pipeline.

This is an onsite, laboratory-based role requiring daily engagement in assay execution, experimental planning, sample and reagent preparation, instrument operation, data analysis, documentation, troubleshooting support, and technical communication. Ph.D. candidates are preferred, while M.S. and B.S. candidates with strong relevant industry experience will also be considered.

Essential Functions:

• Perform hands-on laboratory work to support immunoassay development, optimization, platform evaluation, method transfer support, validation readiness, lifecycle management, and routine analytical testing.
• Engage daily in laboratory operations, including assay execution, reagent preparation, sample handling, study setup, instrument use, data review, documentation, laboratory organization, and coordination of testing priorities.
• Design and execute experiments under scientific guidance to support fit-for-purpose immunoassay development for potency, antigenicity, identity, impurity, characterization, comparability, release, and stability needs.
• Support evaluation of immunoassay platforms and formats, including ELISA, MSD, bead-based assays, multiplex assays, automation-enabled workflows, and other ligand-binding technologies.
• Support immunoassay troubleshooting studies by executing structured experiments, analyzing data, documenting observations, and communicating technical findings.
• Generate, analyze, and interpret immunoassay data, including standard curves, sample interpolation, dilution response, recovery, precision, assay controls, system suitability, and robustness-related outputs.
• Support routine analytical testing within the CMC Immunoassay, including development-stage testing, characterization testing, platform evaluation studies, comparability support, reagent qualification, reference material qualification, and GMP-supporting testing.
• Support critical reagent and reference material activities, including reagent preparation, lot comparison, qualification-support testing, stability study support, inventory tracking, and documentation.
• Maintain accurate and timely laboratory records, including ELN entries, study records, assay worksheets, reagent records, data summaries, technical memos, and method development documentation.
• Support outsourced immunoassay activities as needed, including sample preparation, shipment coordination, data review support, study tracking, and internal communication.
• Collaborate with scientists, senior scientists, Associate Directors, and the Director to plan experiments, review data, troubleshoot assays, and prioritize laboratory work.

Requirements:

• PHD. in Biochemistry, Immunology, Analytical Chemistry, Biological Sciences, or a related discipline is preferred with 0 to 2 years of relevant biopharmaceutical industry or post-graduate laboratory experience; or M.S. in a related discipline with a minimum of 5 years of relevant biopharmaceutical industry laboratory experience; or B.S. in a related discipline with a minimum of 8 years of relevant biopharmaceutical industry laboratory experience.
• Hands-on laboratory experience executing immunoassays in vaccine CMC, biologics analytical development, QC, ASAT, bioanalytical development, or other analytical laboratory environments.
• Experience with immunoassay method development or assay execution, including reagent preparation, sample preparation, assay optimization, data analysis, assay controls, and documentation.
• Technical experience with ligand-binding immunoassay platforms such as ELISA, MSD, electrochemiluminescence-based assays, bead-based assays, multiplex assays, or other relevant immunoassay technologies.
• Experience analyzing immunoassay data, including standard curves, sample response, dilution response, recovery, precision, assay controls, and system suitability criteria.
• Experience working in or supporting GMP, GLP, or regulated analytical environments is desired.
• Hands-on experience with MSD platforms is highly desirable.
• Hands-on experience with multiplex or other multiplex immunoassay platforms is a plus.

Reports to: Director, Immunoassay Development

Location: San Carlos, CA

Work Arrangement (may be adjusted based on business needs, job responsibilities, or changes to company policy):

Onsite (minimum of 4 days per week onsite)

Compensation:

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

Salary Range: $129,000 - $151,000 (SF Bay Area). Salary ranges for non-California locations may vary.

Relocation:

This role is eligible for relocation assistance.

Equal Opportunity

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.

Recruitment Fraud Notice

Please be aware of fraud or scams from individuals, organizations and/or internet sites claiming to represent Vaxcyte in recruitment activities. Vaxcyte has an established recruitment process for all positions prior to issuing an offer for employment and we will never extend unsolicited employment offers or ask candidates to provide financial or sensitive personal information as part of the application process. All legitimate communication from Vaxcyte will come from an official @vaxcyte.com email address. Qualified and interested candidates should apply to current openings at vaxcyte.com/careers .