The company

Vaccitech plc is a fast-growing biotech company. At only five years old we already have a development portfolio of six products, a partnered product that is in commercial production which has already seen more than 3 billion doses administered worldwide and an IPO behind us. We are a publicly-listed clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that spun out of the University of Oxford’s Jenner Institute, one of the most prestigious vaccine research centres in the world. We discover and develop immunotherapeutic products and vaccines for the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases and cancer. Our achievements include co-inventing and jointly developing our COVID-19 vaccine candidate VTP-900, now Vaxzevria, which we assigned to Oxford University Innovation to facilitate the licensing of those rights to AstraZeneca. We have clinical studies to explore treatments for patients with HBV and HPV infections and are developing rapid and scalable manufacturing processes for our platforms.

In December 2021 Vaccitech acquired Avidea Technologies with exciting product candidates for oncology and autoimmunity based on the innovative SNAPvax platform, which has demonstrated unprecedented control over T cell induction. This gives us US operational presence in Maryland, complements Vaccitech’s established capabilities and reinforces our position as a fast-growing global leader in immunotherapies and vaccines. From March 2022 Vaccitech's UK headquarters will be moving to a state-of-the-art facility in the UK's leading science and innovation campus at Harwell. We conduct research globally and have ambitious plans in the UK and US, where we will continue to grow our teams over the coming months and years.

The role

The Associate Scientist is expected to perform multiple analytical techniques including cell-based, biochemical, physicochemical, immunochemical and other methods that are required to support testing of Vaccitech’s products. You will work closely with team members within Vaccitech to assist with the qualification and development of QC release, stability and characterisation assays in accordance with Regulatory and Quality Guidelines.

Your key responsibilities may include working as part of a team specifically to perform analytical assays for testing and qualification of drug substance and drug product to support Vaccitech CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control) activities, including:

• Ensuring analytical development work is sufficiently documented to support regulatory submissions or intellectual property requirements when appropriate and all data collection and review activities are conducted in accordance with the company’s quality system and policies.
• Supporting development of assays to analyse Vaccitech CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control) activities as required
• Contributing to the routine running of the laboratory and maintenance of the equipment
• Writing technical reports, standard operating procedures and other documents as required
• Assisting in the technical transfer of processes to relevant Contract Manufacturers as required
• Participating in team and other scientific meetings, presenting data and conclusions as required
• Adhering to applicable policies and procedures relating to working in the laboratory

Experience and qualifications required

The successful candidate will be degree educated in a scientific discipline and have a minimum of one year’s experience working in a practical laboratory environment within the pharmaceutical or biotech sector. You must have experience in performing cell based assays and molecular techniques.. You will also be a highly organized, enthusiastic, self-motivated team player. Knowledge of mammalian cell culture, Design of Experiment and relevant software, cell-based bioassays, ELISA, SDS-PAGE, Western Blot and HPLC would all be a distinct advantage.

What we can offer you

Vaccitech is a great place to work. We encourage an entirely flat structure with an open door policy to the senior leadership team. Our employees agree the culture and working environment is one of the best things about our business. This position would suit somebody who wishes to get wholly embedded with a single company and grow an internal medical writing function from the ground up. As part of a small high growth business you will get the opportunity to be involved in many different areas and our rapid growth trajectory means you will have the opportunity to grow with us. We offer flexible forms of hybrid working, stock options to all employees, 25 days annual holidays increasing with length of service, an AXA Healthcare plan, Life Insurance and up to 5% pension contributions matched by the company.

Notice to recruiters

Vaccitech’s internal Talent Acquisition leads recruitment and employment for Vaccitech. Unsolicited resumes sent to Vaccitech from recruiters do not constitute any type of relationship between the recruiter and Vaccitech and do not obligate Vaccitech to pay fees should we hire from those resumes. Vaccitech operate a preferred list of recruitment suppliers, any and all enquiries about joining us as a supplier should be directed to Vaccitech’s TA Team. We ask that external recruiters and/ or agencies not contact or present candidates directly to our hiring manager or employees.