Senior Scientist - Vaccine and Adjuvant Formulation

States considered: All

Role Description

About Us:

Zoetis is a leader in the field of animal health, biotechnology, and vaccine development. We are dedicated to improving the health and well-being of animals through innovative research and development of veterinary products. The Zoetis Adjuvant and Immunomodulator Research Team (AIRT) focuses on discovering novel vaccines and medicines (prophylactic, therapeutic pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical) to prevent and treat significant animal diseases using various formulation approaches combined with immune-stimulating agents. The team works across research areas, developing novel drug formulations for vaccine adjuvants, biologicals/vaccines, immunomodulators, biopharmaceuticals, and pharmaceuticals for aquaculture, livestock, and companion animals.

Position Summary:

Our growing team seeks a highly skilled and motivated Senior Scientist to contribute towards discovery and development of novel drug and vaccine formulations. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in vaccine formulation technologies, equipment, and instruments for preparing and characterizing vaccine products. The successful candidate will play a critical role to advance and optimize vaccine formulations, including the selection and evaluation of adjuvants, characterization, and process transfer to development and Pilot Plant teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, development, and optimization of vaccine formulations, including selection of appropriate adjuvants.
• Conduct pre-formulation studies, stability testing, and in-vitro immunological assays.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of formulation strategies and provide expert advice and support for drug and vaccine formulations, characterization, chemistry, and related experimental design.
• Design, prepare and provide clinical supplies to partner teams on a timely and scheduled basis.
• Assist in designing clinical studies.
• Perform laboratory procedures such as emulsification, nanoparticle synthesis, and instrumental analysis of experimental products.
• Assist in raw material selection and assay development.
• Operate and maintain laboratory work area, equipment, and instruments.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. In Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Immunology
• Post-doctoral experience with a focus on vaccine products and applications with relevant research experience in either academia or industry.
• Willingness to learn certain work areas as needed to become a more proficient contributor.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Creative thinker with good troubleshooting skills and a track record of research in drug formulation and peer reviewed publications.
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities.

Preferred Skills/Experience:

• Broad knowledge of formulation of adjuvants, vaccines, and active pharmaceutical ingredients for use in commercial products; familiarity with biological product development.
• Hands-on experience in preparation of emulsions, aqueous based products, encapsulation, powders, or lyophilized products.
• Experience with various analytical techniques (particle size analysis, spectroscopy, TGA, DSC, pH, viscosity, microscopy).
• Experience with mixing and formulation equipment, high-pressure homogenizers, biosafety cabinets, fluid bed reactors, spray dryers.
• Experience with sterile technique as well as with liquid or solid dosage forms.
• Understanding of biological processes, vaccine immunology, immunological concepts and applications related to vaccine development.
• Comfortable drafting SOPs, raw material specifications and process worksheets.
• Fundamental understanding of FDA and USDA regulatory criteria for products.
• Demonstrated ability to work in diverse collaborative team setting in a matrix organization.

Any unsolicited resumes sent to Zoetis from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Zoetis mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Zoetis employees, or to Zoetis resume database will be considered Zoetis property. Zoetis will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.

Zoetis will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search.