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Salary: USD 165,000 - 193,000 / annual
Vaxcyte is a clinical-stage vaccine innovation company developing high-fidelity vaccines to protect against bacterial diseases including invasive pneumococcal disease, Group A Strep, and Shigella.
The Senior Scientist, Analytical Development will lead analytical method development activities for biologics and vaccine development programs. This is a hands-on technical leadership role reporting to the Associate Director of Analytical Development.
Key Responsibilities:
Method Development & Troubleshooting: Provide technical leadership and strategic direction for method development, optimization, and qualification/validation readiness. Define development strategies and experimental roadmaps, identify critical method attributes, and set robustness/qualification approaches aligned with program and regulatory expectations. Lead complex troubleshooting and investigations across assays and instrumentation; establish root-cause analysis and preventive controls while mentoring junior team members. Lead authorship and review of methods, SOPs, protocols, and technical reports; set documentation standards and ensure audit/inspection readiness.
Team Collaboration: Serve as a cross-functional technical leader, aligning analytical strategy with program objectives and driving execution against key milestones. Proactively identify, communicate, and manage technical risks and resourcing constraints, influencing decision-making with clear options and recommendations. Champion scientific excellence, compliance, and continuous improvement; establish best practices across the team. Lead capability building through mentoring, training, and coaching to develop team members' technical depth and problem-solving skills.
Laboratory Operations & Instrumentation: Promote efficient, compliant laboratory operations aligned with quality expectations. Provide oversight and prioritization for instrument maintenance, qualification, and service activities; serve as technical point of contact for lab operations and vendor interactions. Ensure lab readiness by overseeing inventory strategy for reagents, standards, and consumables; support budgeting and drive improvements to procurement processes.
Analytical Testing & Data Generation: Lead routine and non-routine analytical testing using modern analytical methods including HPLC/UPLC, SEC, CE, UV-Vis, ELISA, electrophoresis, plate-based assays, and other biochemical/biophysical techniques. Maintain accurate documentation in laboratory notebooks or electronic systems. Perform data processing and interpretation; draw conclusions and communicate outcomes, risks, and recommendations to program and cross-functional stakeholders.
Safety & Compliance: Follow all Environmental Health & Safety policies and laboratory safety practices. Handle chemicals and biological materials safely in compliance with regulatory requirements. Ensure proper waste disposal and adherence to hazardous material handling procedures. Support audit and inspection readiness activities.
Work Arrangement: Onsite in San Carlos, CA, minimum 4 days per week.
Requirements:
Education: PhD, MS, or Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related scientific discipline. Experience requirements: PhD with 5+ years; MS with 8+ years; BS with 10+ years of relevant industry experience in analytical development, QC, or related field. Other combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Technical Skills:
- Extensive hands-on experience across broad analytical techniques including UV-Vis, HPLC, CE, SDS-PAGE, icIEF, liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, enzyme kinetics, colorimetric and fluorescent plate-based assays, ELISA, Western Blot, and PCR
- Experience leading method development or optimization activities preferred
- Deep expertise in analytical chemistry/biochemistry with broad understanding across platforms
- Recognized technical leader in troubleshooting complex, cross-cutting assay/instrument/system issues; drives investigations to root cause and establishes preventive controls
- Advanced capability in data analysis and interpretation, including method performance characterization, statistical evaluation, and automation/standardization of data workflows
- Exemplary quality mindset and documentation rigor; authors/sets standards for methods, protocols, and reports; ensures audit/inspection readiness
- Demonstrated ability to lead multiple priorities and influence program direction; effectively resource-plans, removes blockers, and mentors others
- Excellent communication skills: effectively communicates risk, options, and recommendations to stakeholders and leadership; aligns cross-functional teams
- Ability to work in laboratory environment for extended periods
- Ability to lift up to 25 lbs
- Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) required
- Ability to contribute to positive, inclusive, and safety-focused laboratory culture
