Senior Scientist, Vaccine Drug Product Development

Job Description

Vaccine Drug Product Development (VDPD), a part of our company's Research Laboratories, is seeking a Senior Scientist to join our department in West Point, PA.  Our mission is to develop novel vaccine drug products that will profoundly improve global human health—directly building from our company's 50+ year legacy as pioneers in the discovery, development, and manufacturing of novel vaccines to eliminate disease.  Our department is responsible for developing vaccine adjuvants and drug products from preclinical studies through Phase III clinical trials with line of sight to commercialization.  We ensure robust composition, primary packaging, and process development through deep fundamental understanding and characterization such that the process is scalable without compromising safety, efficacy, or stability.  During development, we leverage smart experimental design, cutting edge analytical tools, and statistical/predictive approaches to inform formulation and process development.  Our team enables the translation of vaccine preclinical candidates from concepts into robust commercial drug products.

Primary responsibilities of the role include design, execution, and documentation of experiments to develop stable formulations and robust manufacturing processes for preclinical and clinical supply production and to scale-up these processes to the pilot plant and commercial space.  The successful candidate will be expected to work independently in a hands-on, dynamic laboratory environment engaged in development activities while also working collaboratively within the group, across functional areas, and with external partners.

Active strategic and technical leadership on program development teams will be required.  Strong communication skills are expected to clearly communicate data and conclusions verbally, through written documents and reports, and technical presentations.  The role will also entail supporting or leading teams to advance areas such as science and technology innovation, business process improvement, and clinical manufacturing capability build.

Successful candidates are motivated to excel, willing to take initiative, have a strong desire to learn and contribute, and actively mentor less experienced scientists.  Senior colleagues in Vaccine Drug Product Development have strong external scientific networks to help us maintain an awareness of industry challenges, trends, and opportunities.  Successful candidates will have a track record of external publication, patenting, and presentations. 

Minimum education required:

Ph.D. in chemical/biochemical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, biochemistry (with expected graduation by December 2024), or related discipline with 0-2 years of relevant industrial experience; an M.S. degree in a similar field with 4 years of relevant experience; or a B.S. degree in a similar field with 6 years of relevant experience.

Required Experience and Skills

• Proven written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to prioritize, plan, and execute work with limited guidance

• Ability to work in a dynamic and fast-paced team environment

• Demonstrated facilitative leadership and influencing skills

• Hands on laboratory skills

• Experience developing biotherapeutic formulations, vaccine adjuvant and/or vaccine drug product processes, including advanced knowledge of key unit operations in pre-clinical/clinical manufacture

• Familiar with vaccine adjuvant and/or drug product quality attributes, specifications, characterization techniques, and product vulnerabilities and mitigation strategies

• Experience with engineering principles used in process development and process scale up/scale down

• Track record of difficult technical problem solving

• Ability to develop and implement new methods/processes

• Familiar with use of statistical principles to understand, predict, and communicate process robustness

• Familiar with root cause analysis and investigations (FMEA, fishbone, etc.)

• Experience, desire, and a track record of effective mentorship of less experienced scientists towards timebound goals

Desired Experience and Skills: 

• Experience with technical transfer of processes from lab to pilot plant and/or commercial sites including the use of risk assessment tools

• Experience with GMP manufacturing of clinical supplies

• Experience with sterile product manufacturing and aseptic technique

• Experience with colloidal systems and characterization of colloids including emulsions

• Familiar with ISO, CFR, ICH, and USP guid