Associate Scientist , Research

Vaxcyte is a clinical-stage vaccine innovation company engineering high-fidelity vaccines to protect humankind from the consequences of bacterial diseases, which have serious and costly health consequences when left unchecked. Working to eradicate or treat bacterial infections such as invasive pneumococcal disease, Group A Strep, and Shigella is just the beginning. Our path to success is clear and well-defined, and Vaxcyte is set up to go the distance.

WHAT we do is every bit as important as HOW we do it! Our work together is guided by four enduring core values:

• RETHINK CONVENTION:
  We bring creative and intellectual diversity to every facet of the work we do in order to innovate and re-innovate the way vaccines are delivered.
• AIM HIGH:
  We embody our collectively audacious goal to courageously make the most complex biologics ever attempted to protect humankind.
• LEAD WITH HEART:
  Everyone leads at Vaxcyte with a kindness-first, inclusive approach to collaboration and vigorous debate that advances our business objectives.
• MODEL EXCELLENCE:
  The magnitude of our challenge requires our shared commitment to demonstrating integrity, accountability, equality and clarity across communications and decision making.

Vaxcyte is looking for an Associate Scientist I, Research, to support the development of bacterial polysaccharide conjugate vaccines. This laboratory-based role will focus on analytical characterization of in-process intermediates and drug substances, including proteins, polysaccharides, and polysaccharide-protein conjugates.

The successful candidate will work with an interdisciplinary Research team to execute established analytical assays, prepare buffers and samples, analyze and report data, and support routine laboratory operations. Key techniques include SDS-PAGE, colorimetric plate-based assays such as ELISA, Hestrin, Bradford, Lowery, and Anthrone assays, HPLC, and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) with multiple detectors, including SEC-MALS. The candidate will also support the evaluation and implementation of additional assays as project needs evolve.

The ideal candidate will have hands‑on laboratory experience, a strong foundation in analytical principles, and a commitment to accurate and reproducible work. This individual will independently execute established protocols following training, with guidance on troubleshooting and data interpretation. Additional responsibilities include maintaining detailed laboratory records, participating in team meetings, and contributing to presentations for cross‑functional teams, external collaborators, and senior management.

• Perform routine in-house analytical assays to characterize our in-process intermediates and drug substances containing proteins, polysaccharides, and protein-polysaccharide conjugates.
• Execute assays including but not limited to HPLC-SEC, RP-HPLC, SEC-MALS, SDS-PAGE, Western Blot and colorimetric microplate assays such as ELISA, Lowery, Bradford, Hestrin, and Anthrone assays.
• Independently prepare buffers, reagents, and samples according to established protocols, including large-volume buffer preparation as needed.
• Independently prepare, autoclave, and handle essential equipment and supplies to support the team’s experimental.
• Complete any assigned tasks and report data promptly and accurately to support project timelines.
• Keep accurate and detailed records of experiments in laboratory notebooks and Benchling entries.
• Review assay results, recognize unexpected findings, and communicate observations or technical issues to the appropriate team members.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and organized laboratory records in Benchling and other designated systems to support data integrity, traceability,…