Distinguished Scientist, Vaccines & Advanced Biotechnologies Process R&D

Distinguished Scientist (Executive Director Equivalent)

Shape the Future of Vaccine Innovation

We are seeking an internationally recognized scientific leader to join our Vaccines & Advanced Biotechnologies Process R&D (VAX PR&D) organization as a Distinguished Scientist (Executive Director equivalent). This is a unique opportunity to drive scientific strategy, advance breakthrough vaccine technologies, and influence the development and commercialization of life-saving medicines that improve global health.

As a key member of the VAX PR&D Leadership Team, you will help define the future of vaccine drug substance development and manufacturing across a diverse and innovative portfolio, spanning established and emerging modalities including protein subunits, polysaccharide conjugates, viral vectors, VLPs, RNA platforms, and beyond.

Our department is responsible for the process development and clinical manufacturing of drug substances and adjuvant bulk across the entire vaccine pipeline—from preclinical through commercial process development. We are part of the Development Sciences Clinical Supply organization, enabling CMC development and clinical manufacturing for programs that address some of the world's most pressing health challenges.

If you are passionate about scientific excellence, innovation, and mentoring the next generation of leaders while advancing vaccine technologies that have meaningful global impact, we invite you to explore this opportunity.

The Opportunity

In this highly visible leadership role, you will serve as the scientific architect for vaccine drug substance process development and clinical manufacturing. You will establish and drive a forward-looking scientific strategy while enabling the successful progression of our vaccine pipeline.

Key responsibilities include:

Strategic Scientific Leadership

• Develop and execute a long-term scientific vision and technology roadmap for vaccine drug substance development and manufacturing.
• Anticipate emerging scientific and technology trends, integrating new approaches to enhance process performance, speed, and scalability.
• Champion innovation in areas such as modeling, automation, AI/ML, systems biology, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

Enterprise Collaboration & Influence

• Partner across Discovery, Development, Commercial Manufacturing, Regulatory, and Marketing organizations to accelerate vaccine development and commercialization.
• Provide scientific leadership on critical CMC strategies, program decisions, regulatory interactions, and business initiatives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and contribute to enterprise-wide scientific direction.

External Scientific Engagement

• Expand and strengthen strategic collaborations with leading academic institutions, industry partners, consortia, and global health organizations.
• Elevate organizational visibility through publications, conference keynote presentations, scientific forums, and thought leadership activities.
• Represent the organization in due diligence assessments, external partnerships, and scientific advisory engagements.

Technical Excellence & Program Advancement

• Guide teams through complex scientific and technical challenges across all phases of development and lifecycle management.
• Provide expert consultation on upstream, downstream, analytical, and manufacturing strategies.
• Enable successful regulatory submissions and support global market launches.

Talent Development & Culture

• Mentor, coach, and inspire scientists and leaders at all levels.
• Foster a culture of scientific rigor, innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Build organizational capabilities that ensure long-term success and scientific leadership.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline.

Experience

• Minimum of 15 years of industry experience in vaccine and/or biologics drug substance process development.
• Deep expertise spanning the full product lifecycle, from early development through commercialization with significant experience in upstream and downstream development.
• Broad understanding of drug product and analytical development as well as clinical and commercial manufacturing.
• Experience leading CMC strategies and/or development programs that have resulted in successful regulatory submissions and approvals.
• Strong understanding of modern development technologies, including modeling, automation, AI/ML, and systems biology.
• Extensive knowledge of global regulatory frameworks governing vaccine development and manufacturing.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive strategy across complex, matrixed organizations.
• Demonstrated success building, mentoring, and developing high-performing scientific teams.

Technical Expertise

Experience with major expression systems and cell substrates, including:

• E. coli
• Yeast systems
• HEK
  293
• Vero
• CHO

Experience across a range of vaccine and biologics modalities, including:

• Viral vectors
• Lentiviral vectors…