R&D Senior Scientist

POSITION SUMMARY

The R&D Senior Scientist operates with a high degree of scientific autonomy and serves as a subject matter expert in veterinary vaccinology, animal immunology, or a specific target species/platform domain. The incumbent leads complex research programs, drives strategic experimental design for target animal efficacy and safety studies, and plays a central role in generating the data packages required for USDA CVB licensure or international regulatory approval.

This position provides significant scientific and programmatic leadership to project teams and serves as a key technical resource for cross-functional stakeholders.

• Lead and independently drive multiple veterinary vaccine research and development programs from concept through regulatory filing data package completion.
• Serve as scientific lead for one or more target species programs (e.g., bovine, swine, equine or aquaculture) or vaccine platform work streams.
• Design and oversee comprehensive target animal vaccination-challenge study plans; interpret complex efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity data to support licensure recommendations and label claims.
• Author and contribute to USDA CVB regulatory submissions including Outlines of Production (OoP), Outline of Studies, product license applications, field safety study designs, and serial release test method submissions.
• Represent the R&D function in cross-functional project teams, Regulatory Affairs meetings, and interactions with USDA CVB, CROs, and academic collaborators.
• Drive immunological assay development, validation, and technology transfer in support of product release testing and GMP-compliant quality systems.
• Monitor the competitive veterinary biologics landscape and emerging disease threats; integrate findings into portfolio strategy and prioritization recommendations.
• Provide scientific mentorship, performance coaching, and technical training to Scientist I - IV; contribute to talent development planning.
• Manage a team of 2-5 scientists
• Manage and oversee CRO relationships for outsourced animal studies and analytical work; ensure study compliance and data quality.
• Present program progress, regulatory strategy, and scientific recommendations to senior R&D leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.

• Ph.D. in Microbiology, Immunology, Animal Science, Virology, or a closely related discipline with 5+ years of postdoctoral or industry experience; OR Master's degree with 8+ years of progressive animal health industry experience.
• Demonstrated track record of leading veterinary vaccine research programs and generating regulatory-grade preclinical data packages for USDA CVB or equivalent regulatory body.
• Deep expertise in target animal immunology, veterinary pathogen biology, or correlates of protection in production or companion animal species.
• Experience with multiple veterinary vaccine platforms and multiple target species.
• Experience authoring USDA regulatory submissions (OoP, license applications) or equivalent regulatory filings (EMA, CVMB, CFIA or other markets).
• Strong publication record, patent contributions, or equivalent demonstration of scientific productivity in veterinary science.
• Proven scientific leadership and mentoring track record.
• Exceptional scientific writing and oral communication skills; ability to influence without direct authority across R&D, Regulatory, Manufacturing, and Commercial functions.

• D.V.M./Ph.D. dual degree.
• Experience managing foreign animal disease (FAD) programs or select agent research.
• International regulatory experience with EMA, CFIA standards, or other global veterinary biologics markets.
• Expertise in One Health frameworks bridging veterinary and human vaccine science.

• LEADERSHIP – Is the ability of an individual to influence or inspire followers or other members of the organization; to enhance others’ commitment to their work and to a high
  -performance culture. Provide motivational support, and the ability to develop and communicate goals in support of the business mission. Provides direction with purpose and alignment to Company vision and values.
• ANALYTICAL…