Principal Scientist

Our client is a nonprofit organization with the goal of driving global healthcare forward by developing prophylactic viral vaccines. They are seeking a skilled, motivated Principal Scientist to join their Viral Vector Design and Development team!

Salary/Hourly Rate:

$120,000 – $145,000 depending on relevant experience

Position Overview:

This Principal Scientist will play a crucial role in supporting the growing portfolio of prophylactic viral vaccines being developed by our nonprofit organization. This Principal Scientist will be responsible for supervising lab operations in early phase viral vaccine development and support preclinical studies along with clinical product development.

Responsibilities of the Principal Scientist:

• Acting in a leadership role, is tasked with overseeing a six-person team composed of PhD holders and Research Associates
• In terms of research and development, this role is responsible for designing, creating, and examining VSV-based viral vectors. The position also requires assistance in the development of analytical assays
• Staying updated with current scientific literature is key in this role. Applying technical and functional knowledge to continuously improve existing procedures is another significant responsibility
• The position involves participating in grant writing to secure funding for various projects. The Principal Scientist is expected to have an understanding of, and ability to navigate, the range of programs and opportunities relevant to their research initiatives
• Analyzing, interpreting, and presenting data form a crucial part of this role with the Principal Scientist being expected to oversee the laboratory team’s operations and ensure that objectives, timelines, and milestones are met
• In the regulatory scope, one must establish methodologies and protocols in conformance with cGMP regulations. This includes writing, reviewing, and approving operation instructions, SOPs, and other documentation pertinent to the team’s tasks
• Engage in both the upstream and downstream aspects of vaccine production process development within the laboratory. Additionally, this role involves participating in technology transfer to contract manufacturing organizations
• Aligned with Quality Assurance (QA) and Chemistry Manufacturing Controls (CMC) teams, must maintain constant communication to guarantee that the laboratory team’s operations conform to cGLP regulations

Qualifications for the Principal Scientist:

• Minimum 5 years of post-graduate experience in virology and molecular biology is required
• Highly valued is experience in overseeing or spearheading viral vaccine initiatives
• Experience in supervising and guiding research scientists and teams
• Ability to handle research projects with time-critical milestones and outcomes
• Practical laboratory experience with fundamental and advanced methodologies linked to virology, molecular biology, and recombinant virus vector development
• Strong communication skills to talk to internal and external teams

Education Requirements:

• PhD in Virology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, or related field is required
• Prior Post-doctoral training is highly desirable

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• 401k
• Disability
• Paid time off