The Position The Principal Scientist delivers innovative vaccine candidates for clinical proof of principle (POP) for Research and subsequent Development. The position drives the production and characterization of vaccine modalities for therapeutic targets in line with agreed priorities and timelines and guides project teams on the design and selection of the appropriate vaccine modalities for the project target profile. The Principal Scientist brings new technologies for therapeutic vaccines to the attention of the team and leads projects with external collaborators, while upholding and reinforcing governance and processes in the context of the projects. Tasks & responsibilities The Principal Scientist: - Leads and coordinates scientists and technicians working to deliver vaccine modalities against therapeutic targets for clinical evaluation in line with agreed priorities and timelines. Provides clear working instructions and expected outcomes. - Supports and leads a learning culture that enables the team to deliver results with scientific excellence. - Fosters collaboration with other internal Global Innovation functions to enable the effective progression of research activities for Therapeutic Vaccines that will have significant business impact. - Leads activities with external collaborators to deliver therapeutic vaccines or analytics with the needed specifications to fulfill the project target profile. - Manages budget of internal resources and external projects to deliver the best return on investment to the business, in line with agreed milestones and timelines. - Ensures compliance with documentation guidelines and current SOP’s related to experimentation, reporting data and training for themselves and their team to ensure all scientific documentation is completed according to company standards. Ensures compliance and organization of laboratory operations in accordance with EHS requirements and legal rules. - Prepares high quality technical reports and supports the preparation of scientific publications. Presents responsibly and defends their own work at meetings. - Contributes and presents project related topics within designated Global Innovation forums. Supports the drafting and execution of contracts with external academic and research institute partners, working closely with Legal and Patents Department. - Ensures equipment is well maintained, adequately budgeted, and secured, including staff security, and biosafety. Monitors policies and procedures to ensure they are up to date, followed and tracked. - Maintains compliance with all relevant corporate, national, and local authority regulations, including clear EHS risk assessment and training for technicians and scientist. Manages inventory in an efficient and cost-effective manner while ensuring governance is followed and reinforced in all aspects of the role. Desired Profile Doctoral degree (PhD) in the medical, veterinary, or biological field. More than 5 years’ experience in the recombinant protein production, biochemistry, biophysical and biological analytics or related fields. Fluent in English. Experience working under BSL2 or higher Characteristics of the ideal candidate: - First-hand knowledge in biochemistry and complex recombinant protein production (flask and bioreactors,), purification (chromatography based methods, precipitation concentration by TFF) as well as biophysical and biological characterization by biophysical (SDS Pagen Western-Blot, IEF, DLS) or biochemical (ELISA, cell assays) tests. Understanding of immunological processes involved in vaccination is a plus. - Understand the different systems of productions (prokatyotic and eukariotic) and their limitations. Have some knowledge in scalable methods suitable for a future industrial production. Insight in analytical tools needed for a vaccine characterization along the production process and for their release. - Possesses a proven record of successful research as evidenced by publications in peer reviewed journal and/or patents with evidence of transforming industry-leading science into innovative products. - Previous experience leading teams of scientists and technicians is preferred The incumbent must be able to communicate with scientists and academics and embrace new technologies, while focusing the team on key project deliverables. Additionally, they have the interpersonal skills to build productive relationships simultaneously with internal scientific colleagues and external consultants/experts as needed. Moreover, they should be passionate about their work, maintain a positive attitude, and possess a proven ability to motivate others to perform their best. Outstanding flexibility, adaptability, a sense of accountability and a willingness to travel internationally are also desired All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to a person’s actual or perceived race, including natural hairstyles, hair texture and protective hairstyles; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; citizenship status, marital status; gender, gender identity or expression; sexual orientation, mental, physical or intellectual disability, veteran status; pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other class or characteristic protected by applicable law.