Director / Associate Director - Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Scientist to lead a cross-functional team involved in identifying novel protein antigens to create vaccines for prevention or immunotherapy of infectious diseases. The successful candidate will be responsible for a group utilizing technologies centered on molecular biology and biochemistry, with specific emphasis on gene cloning, recombinant protein expression and purification, and vaccine development, while working within a multidisciplinary vaccine development team setting.

Candidates should have a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or equivalent with at least 6-10 years of industry experience. In addition to proficiency in molecular biology and biochemistry, this position requires a working understanding of immunology, especially T-cell immunity and vaccine development. Familiarity with regulatory aspects associated with vaccine development including IND/BLA filings is a plus. This position requires prior supervisory experience as well as excellent organizational, interpersonal and presentation skills.

Responsibilities for this position include:

• Directing a group responsible for developing and characterizing genomic expression libraries, protein production and purification, downstream processes, and product formulations to discover and support early-stage testing of novel protein antigens
• Evaluation and implementation new technologies for protein expression and purification
• Management of an existing team of Ph.D. and M.S/B.S. scientists
• Preparation of study reports to support regulatory filings
• Contribution to product in-licensing efforts
• Maintenance of external collaborations
• Drafting and submission of publications, presentations, patent applications, and/or grants
• Some bench work is required

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in molecular biology and biochemistry and the ability to perform in a fast-paced, growing company environment is essential
• Excellent communication skills and leadership experience
• Working knowledge of T cell immunology and vaccine development - familiarity with delivery/adjuvant systems is a plus
• Exposure to regulatory filing requirements
• Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills

Education & Experience:

• PhD, MD, or MD/PhD in molecular biology, biochemistry, or a related discipline with at least 6-10 years industry experience required

Sr. Research Associate - Immunology

The ideal candidate will have extensive tissue culture experience, including establishment of primary cell cultures from humans and animals and maintenance of long-term cell lines. Experience with molecular biology and animal handling is a plus, but not required.

The candidate will have demonstrated experience in standard assays of immune function. This includes assessment of antigen-specific cytokine stimulation or lymphocyte proliferation. Familiarity with limiting dilution analysis, flow cytometry, ELISA and ELISPOT is beneficial.

The candidate will be comfortable handling human pathogens and using them in in vitro or in vivo assessments of pathogenesis. Experience propagating viruses, bacteria, and/or protozoa in cultured cells is desired but not mandatory.

Responsibilities for this position include:

• Generation and maintenance of antigen specific cell lines or clones
• Cytokine screening assays
• Immunophenotyping
• Propagation and isolation of pathogenic organisms
• Support of in vitro immunologic assessment and in vivo challenge assays to determine vaccine vector efficacy
• Laboratory management including organization and maintenance of laboratory supplies, preparing reagents, and occasional equipment maintenance

Required Skills:

• Knowledge of safe handling practices of human and animal cells
• Extensive tissue culture experience, including development and maintenance of T cell lines and culture of primary cells
• Familiarity with standard immunological techniques such as ELISPOT, ELISA, flow cytometry, and proliferation assays
• Excellent oral and written communication

Education & Experience:

• The ideal candidate will have extensive tissue culture experience, including establishment of primary cell cultures from humans and animals and maintenance of long-term cell lines. Experience with molecular biology and animal handling is a plus, but not required.
• The candidate will have demonstrated experience in standard assays of immune function. This includes assessment of antigen-specific cytokine stimulation or lymphocyte proliferation. Familiarity with limiting dilution analysis, flow cytometry, ELISA and ELISPOT is beneficial.
• The candidate will be comfortable handling human pathogens and using them in in vitro or in vivo assessments of pathogenesis. Experience propagating viruses, bacteria, and/or protozoa in cultured cells is desired but not mandatory.

Research Associate - Cell Culture

The ideal candidate will have cell culture experience, including maintenance of cell lines and establishment of primary cell cultures from humans and animals. Experience with molecular biology and animal handling is a plus, but not required. This position requires some laboratory maintenance including media preparation, aliquoting reagents, glass washing, and restocking shelves.

The candidate will have experience with cell-based assays such as flow cytometry or other immune assays such as ELISA or ELISPOT. The candidate will be comfortable handling human pathogens. Experience propagating viruses, bacteria, and/or protozoa in cultured cells is desired but not mandatory.

Responsibilities for this position include:

• Generation and maintenance cell lines and clones
• Cytokine screening assays and immunophenotyping
• Propagation and isolation of pathogenic organisms
• Laboratory management including organization and maintenance of laboratory supplies, preparing reagents, and occasional equipment maintenance

Required Skills:

• Knowledge of safe handling practices of human and animal cells
• Tissue culture experience, including maintenance of cell lines and culture of primary cells
• Familiarity with standard laboratory techniques such as ELISA and flow cytometry
• Excellent oral and written communication

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in biology/immunology or related field
• 1-2 years professional experience required, industry experience a plus

Scientist - Adjuvant Evaluation

The candidate will contribute both technical and intellectual expertise towards the development of vaccines against a variety of human infectious diseases. This individual will participate at many levels of a program aimed at developing the company's proprietary antigen screening technology to develop vaccine targets. In addition, the applicant will be expected to apply an understanding of immunology to develop new and innovative vaccines.

The candidate will be well versed at evaluating a variety of adjuvant and delivery systems and evaluating their effectiveness through in vitro assays and in vivo disease models. Experience with multiple animal models of infection and in vitro assays of immune function is critical.

Responsibilities for this position include:

• Achieving key program milestones
• T-cell stimulation and proliferation in vitro
• Development of animal models for evaluation of vaccine candidates
• Preclinical testing and evaluation of multiple adjuvant and delivery systems
• Using knowledge of adjuvant and delivery systems to evaluate immunogenicity and antigenicity of identified proteins
• Formal and informal communication to internal personnel, external reviewers and advisors

Required Skills:

• The ability to perform in a fast-paced, growing company environment is essential
• Familiarity with multiple delivery/adjuvant systems
• Proficiency in cellular immunology
• Extensive knowledge of in vitro antigen presentation assays
• Expertise in assays for cellular immune function such as ELISA, ELISPOT, and 51Cr-release assays
• Talent implementing animal models of infectious disease including assessment of disease pathology and vaccine efficacy
• Excellent communication skills and leadership experience
• Knowledge of molecular biology and protein expression methodologies

Education & Experience

• PhD or MD/PhD in immunology or a related biological discipline is required with at least 2-4 years of independent research experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry

Scientist - Virology

The candidate will contribute both technical and intellectual expertise towards the development of vaccines against a variety of human infectious diseases. This individual will participate at many levels of a program aimed at developing the company's proprietary antigen screening technology to develop vaccine targets. In addition, the applicant will be expected to apply an understanding of immunology and virology to develop new and innovative vaccines.

The candidate will be well versed at handling human pathogens and using them in in vitro or in vivo assessments of pathogenesis. Experience with virus production, infection of cells, virus stock titrations, as well as in-depth knowledge of in vivo models of viral infection is essential.

Responsibilities for this position include:

• Achieving key program milestones
• Generation of antigen-specific primary cell lines from human and animals
• Propagation and isolation of viral or other infectious agents
• T-cell stimulation and proliferation
• In vitro antigen presentation
• Development of animal models for evaluation of vaccine candidates
• Preclinical testing and evaluation of new vaccine candidates
• Formal and informal communication to internal personnel, external reviewers and advisors

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in virology and the ability to perform in a fast-paced, growing company environment is essential
• Talent conducting animal models of infectious disease including assessment of disease pathology and vaccine efficacy
• Excellent communication skills and leadership experience
• Working knowledge of in vitro antigen presentation assays
• Expertise in assays for cellular immune function such as ELISA, ELISPOT, and cytotoxicity
• Familiarity with multiple delivery/adjuvant systems
• Knowledge of molecular biology and protein expression methodologies

Education & Experience:

• PhD or MD/PhD in virology, immunology, or a related discipline with at least 2-4 years of independent research experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry