CSL Limited

Senior Principal Scientist, Pathogen Safety

CSL Limited • $130K — $155K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Postgraduate degree, preferably PhD, in Virology, Biology, Microbiology, Immunology, or a related life sciences discipline.
  • 5+ years of relevant biopharmaceutical industry experience, with significant emphasis on pathogen safety or biologics manufacturing support.
  • Strong expertise in pathogen safety, including virus and prion safety.
  • Proven ability to lead complex scientific assessments independently.
  • Experience working across functions in a matrix organization and influencing without direct authority.
  • Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, capable of articulating complex concepts to varying audiences.
  • Preferably experienced in global collaboration across functions and cultures.

Responsibilities

  • Act as the senior scientific expert on pathogen safety for the assigned site.
  • Independently evaluate and resolve complex pathogen safety issues throughout the product lifecycle.
  • Provide expertise in risk assessments, deviations, changes, product complaints, and contamination control strategies.
  • Collaborate across Operations, Quality, Regulatory, and MS&T to provide scientific guidance and drive solutions.
  • Assess emerging pathogens and their potential impacts on products and operations.
  • Influence decisions and reach alignment across various functions and sites without direct authority.
  • Contribute to global Pathogen Safety initiatives, standards, and knowledge sharing.

Benefits

  • Significant autonomy and influence in a senior scientific role.
  • Opportunities for broad exposure across critical functions such as Operations and Regulatory.
  • Engagement with a global network to share expertise and contribute to best practices.
  • Involvement in relevant scientific and industry forums as a representative of the organization.
Full Job Description
Location: Holly Springs, NC or Melbourne, Australia
Work Arrangement: Hybrid – three days per week on site
Reports To: Pathogen Safety Support Lead

We are seeking a Senior Principal Scientist, Pathogen Safety to serve as the senior scientific interface for pathogen safety at our Holly Springs, NC or Melbourne, Australia site and across broader Operations.

This is a highly visible scientific leadership role for an experienced pathogen safety professional who can work independently, solve complex problems, and influence decisions across a cross-functional organization.



The Opportunity

You will serve as the senior pathogen safety scientific representative for the assigned site, partnering with Operations, Quality, Regulatory, MS&T, and Global Pathogen Safety to assess and resolve complex scientific and operational matters.


The work is varied and may include evaluating deviations and changes, assessing emerging pathogen risks and potential product impact, supporting contamination control strategies, responding to regulatory requests, and providing scientific guidance on complex manufacturing and product-related issues.


You will operate with a high degree of independence while remaining connected to the broader Global Pathogen Safety organization and contributing to global scientific standards and best practices.



Key Responsibilities

  • Serve as the senior pathogen safety scientific expert and primary interface for the assigned site.
  • Independently assess and resolve complex pathogen safety matters throughout the product lifecycle.
  • Provide expertise for risk assessments, deviations, changes, product complaints, pharmacovigilance investigations, contamination control strategies, audits, inspections, and regulatory requests.
  • Partner with Operations, Quality, Regulatory, MS&T, and other functions to provide scientific recommendations and drive resolution.
  • Evaluate emerging pathogens and assess potential impact to products and operations.
  • Influence decisions and drive alignment across functions and sites without direct authority.
  • Contribute to global Pathogen Safety initiatives, standards, best practices, and knowledge sharing.
  • Provide scientific coaching, technical guidance, and pathogen safety training.
  • Support continuous improvement of pathogen safety processes, risk assessments, and tools.
  • Ensure activities meet applicable regulatory requirements and internal quality standards

What We're Looking For

  • Postgraduate degree, preferably PhD, in Virology, Biology, Microbiology, Immunology, or a related life sciences discipline.
  • 5+ years of relevant biopharmaceutical industry experience, with significant experience in pathogen safety, viral safety, biologics manufacturing support, or a related discipline.
  • Strong expertise in pathogen safety, including virus and prion safety.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex scientific assessments and solve problems.
  • Experience working cross-functionally in a matrix organization and influencing without direct authority.
  • Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
  • Ability to communicate complex scientific concepts and recommendations to both technical and senior business audiences.
  • Experience working across functions, cultures, and/or international locations is preferred.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means becoming a trusted scientific authority for pathogen safety at the site. You will bring independent scientific judgment to complex situations, provide practical recommendations, influence cross-functional decisions, and serve as a strong connection between the local manufacturing site and the global Pathogen Safety organization.


Why Join CSL?

This role offers the opportunity to take on a highly visible senior scientific position while remaining on a scientific career path. You will have significant autonomy, broad exposure across Operations, Quality, Regulatory and MS&T, and the opportunity to work on a wide variety of scientific and manufacturing challenges. You will also be part of a global Pathogen Safety network, giving you the opportunity to exchange expertise across international sites, contribute to global practices, and represent the organization at relevant scientific and industry forums.


Working Conditions

Hybrid schedule with three days per week on site.

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.

May occasionally require meetings outside standard business hours due to global collaboration.

Some travel to manufacturing/development sites, partners, meetings, or conferences may be required.


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About CSL Limited

CSL Limited is a global biotechnology company that develops and delivers innovative biotherapies and influenza vaccines to protect public health. They have a focus on rare and serious diseases, and their products are used in more than 70 countries. CSL Limited was founded in 1916 in Australia, and has since grown to become one of the largest biotech companies in the world. They have a strong commitment to research and development, and invest heavily in new technologies and therapies. CSL Limited is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and the NASDAQ, and has a market capitalization of over $100 billion.
Learn more about CSL Limited
Size
25,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1904
NASDAQ

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