Senior Scientist, Molecular Virology Full-time

Vaccine Vector Engineer

Are you ready to engineer vaccine vectors that turn cutting-edge immunology into real protection for patients? This role places you at the center of designing, constructing, producing, and evaluating novel vectors with the potential to change the trajectory of infectious disease. You will move quickly from ideas to experiments and from data to decisions, partnering with diverse experts who share a commitment to translating science into meaningful outcomes.

You will join a collaborative, empowered environment that values original thinking, healthy challenge, and balanced risk. Here, unexpected teams come together to solve complex problems, with leaders who remove barriers so you can ask bold questions and try new approaches. Can you see yourself turning complex virology challenges into vaccine candidates that progress swiftly through development and toward patients who need them?

Accountabilities:

• Vaccine candidates Engineering: Design, construct, produce, and evaluate novel antigens/ vaccine vectors to elicit protective immunity against clinically relevant pathogens.
• Cell-based assay development: Establish, optimize, and perform cell-based assays using both cell lines and primary cells to evaluate vaccine function, expression, and immunological readouts.
• Analytical characterization: Apply flow cytometry, fluorescent imaging of cells, and measurement of protein expression to characterize vaccine performance and mechanism of action.
• Molecular biology: Execute advanced molecular biology techniques, including cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, DNA isolation and purification, RT-PCR, and qPCR; design constructs and troubleshoot expression challenges.
• RNA design and production: Design mRNA sequences; perform in vitro transcription, purification, and expression workflows for RNA-based vaccine modalities; assess quality and potency using appropriate analytical assays.
• Data Analytics and Interpretation: Make detailed observations, analyze complex datasets, and independently interpret results to guide next decisions.
• Documentation and Quality: Prepare clear protocols, quantitative analyses, and detailed technical summaries; maintain accurate, audit-ready documentation across studies.
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills together with evidence of having used these to support problem solving and delivery in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
• Scientific Communication: Present findings with clarity to internal teams and external audiences; publish high-quality work in peer-reviewed journals to shape the scientific field.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Ph.D. in Virology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Cell Biology, or related scientific field with 3+ years of experience, or M.S. with 8+ years of experience, or B.S. with 10+ years of experience.
• Perform a range of in vitro experiments to design, construct, produce, and evaluate existing and novel vaccine vectors towards the elicitation of protective immunity against clinically relevant pathogens.
• Contribute to the development of novel ideas in the antigen design, vaccine vector, and vaccine technology spaces.
• Make detailed observations, analyze data, and interpret results independently.
• Prepare detailed technical summaries, protocols, quantitative analyses, and maintenance of appropriate documentation.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize numerous different projects.
• Ability to understand, conduct, and interpret results of technically exciting experiments with minimal direction.
• Ability to work in a collaborative, fast-paced environment while planning and meeting timelines.
• Consistent record of success in your research and experience preparing written scientific reports (e.g. manuscripts) and oral presentations (e.g. slides, posters).

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Hands-on molecular virology experience, working with DNA/RNA viruses and reverse genetics systems is a plus
• Deep experience in mammalian cell culture, transfection/transduction, and vector production and purification workflows.
• Experience with high-throughput or automated workflows is a plus

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $114,685 to $172,026. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Why AstraZeneca:

At AstraZeneca, you will do your best science alongside colleagues who welcome fresh perspectives and move fast to turn ideas into patient impact. We bring deep expertise together—bench scientists, clinicians, data specialists, and manufacturing partners—in spaces designed for open debate and rapid learning. It is a safe environment to experiment, speak up, and listen, supported by leaders who value kindness alongside ambition. With access to advanced technologies and a pipeline that spans from early discovery to late-stage development, your work will directly influence how quickly transformative vaccines reach people who need them.