Scientist I, Drug Product Analytics (Laboratory Automation)

Vaxcyte is a clinical-stage vaccine innovation company developing vaccines to protect against bacterial diseases. The Scientist I will lead laboratory automation within Drug Product Analytics by developing, programming, deploying, and maintaining automated analytical workflows on Hamilton liquid handling platforms. The role also performs analytical testing, assay optimization, comparability assessments, method development, technical documentation, and cross-functional collaboration.

What you'll do:

• Support the design, development, programming, and deployment of automated analytical methods on Hamilton liquid handling platforms, serving as the hands-on technical lead responsible for building, testing, validating, and maintaining automated assay workflows within Drug Product Analytics
• Program, script, and troubleshoot automated methods in Hamilton VENUS software, independently resolving robotic hardware, liquid-handling, labware, and system integration issues to keep automated assays running reliably
• Execute routine and non-routine analysis of internal release, development, and stability samples using a variety of analytical techniques across Drug Product working groups, ensuring high-quality data generation and reporting
• Automate, execute, optimize, and continuously improve Vaxcyte's internal multiplex immunoassay (MSD) assay suite, including transferring manual assays onto the automated platform, troubleshooting assay performance, improving robustness, and supporting assay lifecycle management
• Support analytical comparability assessments including study design, execution, statistical data analysis, and reporting
• Contribute to method development, qualification, and technology transfer activities, including collaboration with external analytical laboratories and manufacturing CMOs
• Author and review technical documentation including assay protocols, SOPs, automated method files and scripts, reports, study plans, and technical summaries in support of development and analytical activities
• Support the Vaxcyte PCV and VAXA1 programs through cross-functional collaboration with Drug Product Development, Formulation, Analytical Development, Quality, and external partners
• Flexible and collaborative scientist comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced development environment; this role is predominantly lab-based and requires strong scientific judgment, independence in experimental execution, rigor in data analysis, and meticulous record keeping

What they're looking for:

• PhD, MS or Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline
• PhD with 0-2 years; MS with 5+ years; BS with 8+ years of relevant industry experience
• Other combinations of education and/or experience may be considered
• Candidates at the Senior Research Associate level with strong laboratory automation experience are also encouraged to apply
• Other combinations of education and/or experience may be considered
• Hands-on experience developing and programming methods on automated liquid handling platforms
• Experience with Tecan, Beckman, or comparable systems will be considered
• Including building, optimizing, and validating automated assay workflows
• Demonstrated programming and scripting ability (e.g., Hamilton VENUS, Python, VBA, or equivalent) to build automated workflows, integrate instrumentation, and support data handling
• With the ability to independently troubleshoot robotic hardware and liquid-handling errors
• Hands-on experience developing, optimizing, and executing ELISA or multiplex immunoassays
• With demonstrated ability to troubleshoot assay performance and interpret assay data

Benefits:

• Comprehensive benefits
• An equity component