Research Strategy Lead, Bacterial Science & Antigen Design - Vaccines

Job title:  Research Strategy Lead, Bacterial Science & Antigen Design - Vaccines

Location: Washington, DC

About the Job

Join the team protecting half a billion lives every year with next-gen science, mRNA innovation, and AI-driven breakthroughs. In Vaccines, you’ll help advance prevention on a global scale and shape the future of immunization.

As the Research Strategy Lead, Bacterial Science & Antigen Design you will oversee and drive antigen design projects in the space of bacterial vaccine research and development, and help shape how we deliver innovative, life-changing treatments to millions. Ready to get started?

Join the Global Antigen Design (GAD) team to transform and enable a platform of vaccines for the prevention of diseases worldwide. In GAD/Vaccines, you’ll help drive meaningful outcomes in respiratory and chronic diseases, for both prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines – with the scale and urgency patients deserve.

About Sanofi: 

We’re an R&D-driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth. Our deep understanding of the immune system – and innovative pipeline – enables us to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world. Together, we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. 

Main Responsibilities:

• Lead scientific strategy and innovation in bacterial antigen discovery and design, contributing to GAD’s mission and helping to shape the long-term strategy and scientific roadmap for the function

• Apply deep knowledge of bacterial pathogenesis, reverse vaccinology, OMICs, host-pathogen interactions, and immune evasion mechanisms to identify and validate novel vaccine targets

• Integrate modern protein science approaches—including structural biology, protein engineering, and biophysics—to design optimized antigens with enhanced immunogenicity and stability

• Collaborate closely with internal GAD platforms (virology, computational biology, protein biochemistry and biophysics, monoclonal antibodies, structural biology, and transversal antigen design) to drive integrated research programs

• Partner with internal global immunology teams to align antigen design with immunological insights and translational goals

• Engage with the internal development and mRNA organizations to ensure seamless transition of antigens from discovery to preclinical and clinical development

• Contribute to scientific leadership through mentorship, strategic input, and representation of bacterial science within and beyond GAD

• Stay abreast of emerging scientific trends and technologies in bacteriology, structural vaccinology, and protein design, and apply them to advance the pipeline

About You

Minimum Requirements

• Ph.D. in Microbiology, Structural Biology, Protein Biochemistry, Immunology or a related field

• Minimum of 10 years post PhD relevant experience in an academic or biopharmaceutical setting

Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrated expertise in bacterial pathogenesis and vaccine antigen discovery and design

• Background in or advanced familiarity with protein science, preferably with focus on structural biology (e.g., X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM) and its application to rational antigen design

• Proven track record of scientific innovation and leadership in cross-functional research environments

• Comfortable working in complex, matrixed environments with global counterparts

• Strong strategic, analytical, and cross-functional collaboration skills

• Excellent communication, tact, diplomacy, negotiation, collaboration, and strategic thinking skills

Why Choose Us?

• Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future-focused team. 

• Discover endless opportunities to grow your talent and drive your career, whether it’s through a promotion or lateral move, at home or internationally. 

• Enjoy a thoughtful, well-crafted rewards package that recognizes your contribution and amplifies your impact. 

• Take good care of yourself and your family, with a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits including high-quality healthcare, prevention and wellness programs and at least 14 weeks’ gender-neutral parental leave.

Sanofi Inc. and its U.S. affiliates are Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employers committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed