Scientist, Vaccine DiscoverySouth San Francisco, CA
About the TeamLilly's Infectious Disease research organization is advancing a pipeline of next-generation vaccine candidates. Our South San Francisco-based research team supports this pipeline end-to-end - from initial antigen design and expression through preclinical immune response profiling - generating the data that drives candidate selection and program advancement.
The OpportunityWe are seeking a highly motivated, exceptionally organized Scientist to join our team. This is hands-on bench role for someone who is eager to build deep expertise in mammalian cell culture and immunoassay techniques while directly supporting vaccine candidate discovery.
Reporting to the Director of Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, this team member will be responsible for screening vaccine candidate expression in vitro and executing immunoassays to profile in vivo responses to vaccine candidates in preclinical immunizations. The role also includes an active part in organizing sample and reagent inventories, coordinating study schedules, and facilitating shipping and receiving with external partners.
Key Responsibilities- Express and screen candidate vaccine antigens transiently transfected in mammalian cell culture systems (e.g., Expi293F) in standard and medium-throughput (e.g., 96-well plate) formats.
- Analyze antigen expression by multiple methods, including Western blot/dot blot and flow cytometry.
- Execute immunoassays (e.g., ELISA, Luminex) to assess preclinical immune responses to vaccine candidates.
- Contribute to smooth lab operations by organizing and tracking reagents/samples, coordinating inventory, and ensuring accessibility of materials to the broader team.
- Proactively identify challenges and bottlenecks and, with support, develop and implement solutions.
- Meticulously document work in an electronic laboratory notebook. Assist in authoring and reviewing SOPs, study protocols, reports, and other scientific and quality documents.
- Analyze, interpret, and present experimental data in team meetings, delivering reproducible, decision-driving datasets that enable candidate selection and program advancement.
- Perform all work in full compliance with Lilly Research Policies and complete required training within specified timeframes.
Basic Qualifications- BS or equivalent in biochemistry, immunology, cell biology, or a related field, with hands-on "research" laboratory experience.
- Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Vaccine Company will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization or visas for this role, including but not limited to F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, J-1, H-1B, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, or L-1.
Preferred Qualifications- Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture.
- Exposure to immunoassays, such as ELISA or Western blot/dot blot.
- Hands-on experience with transient transfection techniques.
- Direct experience executing ELISA or Western blot/dot blot assays in a lab setting.
- Experience with high-throughput immunoassays, such as multiplexed Luminex.
- Familiarity with flow cytometry.
- Basic experience with recombinant DNA techniques (e.g., E. coli work and plasmid preparation/scale-up).
- 2+ years of experience in an industry laboratory setting.
Skills & Competencies- Strong ability to multi-task and willingness to work effectively in a highly collaborative and diverse environment as a team player.
- Able to maintain extremely clear written records in the form of laboratory notebooks and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Enthusiasm for taking initiative to propose and execute solutions for laboratory, sample, and reagent organization.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Highly organized, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Additional Information- This position is located onsite, full-time, in South San Francisco, CA.
- Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required to support preclinical study timelines.
Actual compensation will depend on a candidate's education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is
$71,250 - $187,000
Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k); pension; vacation benefits; eligibility for medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts); life insurance and death benefits; certain time off and leave of absence benefits; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities).Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly's compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees.
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