Research Strategy Lead, Bacterial Science & Antigen Design - Vaccines

Job title:

Research Strategy Lead, Bacterial Science & Antigen Design - Vaccines

Location:

Washington, DC

About the Job

Join the team protecting half a billion lives every year with next-gen science, mRNA innovation, and AI-driven breakthroughs. In Vaccines, you'll help advance prevention on a global scale and shape the future of immunization.

As the Research Strategy Lead, Bacterial Science & Antigen Design you will oversee and drive antigen design projects in the space of bacterial vaccine research and development, and help shape how we deliver innovative, life-changing treatments to millions. Ready to get started?

Join the Global Antigen Design (GAD) team to transform and enable a platform of vaccines for the prevention of diseases worldwide. In GAD/Vaccines, you'll help drive meaningful outcomes in respiratory and chronic diseases, for both prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines - with the scale and urgency patients deserve.

About Sanofi:

We're an R&D-driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people's lives and delivering compelling growth. Our deep understanding of the immune system - and innovative pipeline - enables us to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world. Together, we chase the miracles of science to improve people's lives.

Main Responsibilities:

* Lead scientific strategy and innovation in bacterial antigen discovery and design, contributing to GAD's mission and helping to shape the long-term strategy and scientific roadmap for the function

* Apply deep knowledge of bacterial pathogenesis, reverse vaccinology, OMICs, host-pathogen interactions, and immune evasion mechanisms to identify and validate novel vaccine targets

* Integrate modern protein science approaches-including structural biology, protein engineering, and biophysics-to design optimized antigens with enhanced immunogenicity and stability

* Collaborate closely with internal GAD platforms (virology, computational biology, protein biochemistry and biophysics, monoclonal antibodies, structural biology, and transversal antigen design) to drive integrated research programs

* Partner with internal global immunology teams to align antigen design with immunological insights and translational goals

* Engage with the internal development and mRNA organizations to ensure seamless transition of antigens from discovery to preclinical and clinical development

* Contribute to scientific leadership through mentorship, strategic input, and representation of bacterial science within and beyond GAD

* Stay abreast of emerging scientific trends and technologies in bacteriology, structural vaccinology, and protein design, and apply them to advance the pipeline

About You

Minimum Requirements

* Ph.D. in Microbiology, Structural Biology, Protein Biochemistry, Immunology or a related field

* Minimum of 10 years post PhD relevant experience in an academic or biopharmaceutical setting

Skills and Competencies

* Demonstrated expertise in bacterial pathogenesis and vaccine antigen discovery and design

* Background in or advanced familiarity with protein science, preferably with focus on structural biology (e.g., X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM) and its application to rational antigen design

* Proven track record of scientific innovation and leadership in cross-functional research environments

* Comfortable working in complex, matrixed environments with global counterparts

* Strong strategic, analytical, and cross-functional collaboration skills

* Excellent communication, tact, diplomacy, negotiation, collaboration, and strategic thinking skills

Why Choose Us?

* Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future-focused team.

* Discover endless opportunities to grow your talent and drive your career, whether it's through a promotion or lateral move, at home or internationally.

* Enjoy a thoughtful, well-crafted rewards package that recognizes your contribution and amplifies your impact.

* Take good care of yourself and your family, with a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits including high-quality healthcare, prevention and wellness programs and at least 14 weeks' gender-neutral parental…