--- title: 'Scientist II, Upstream Polysaccharide Process Development at Vaxcyte' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/scientist-ii-upstream-polysaccharide-process-development-vaxcyte-san-carlos-rk5qphbat9a4' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-10-19' --- # Scientist II, Upstream Polysaccharide Process Development at Vaxcyte - **Company:** Vaxcyte - **Location:** San Carlos, CA - **Posted:** 2026-09-30 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-19 - **Apply:** https://boards.greenhouse.io/vaxcyte/jobs/5435458008?gh_jid=5435458008 ## Job description Join our Mission to Protect Humankind! Vaxcyte is a clinical-stage vaccine innovation company engineering high-fidelity vaccines to protect humankind from the consequences of bacterial diseases, which have serious and costly health consequences when left unchecked. Working to eradicate or treat bacterial infections such as invasive pneumococcal disease, Group A Strep, and Shigella is just the beginning. Our path to success is clear and well-defined, and Vaxcyte is set up to go the distance. WHAT we do is every bit as important as HOW we do it! Our work together is guided by four enduring core values: *RETHINK CONVENTION: We bring creative and intellectual diversity to every facet of the work we do in order to innovate and re-innovate the way vaccines are delivered. *AIM HIGH: We embody our collectively audacious goal to courageously make the most complex biologics ever attempted to protect humankind. *LEAD WITH HEART: Everyone leads at Vaxcyte with a kindness-first, inclusive approach to collaboration and vigorous debate that advances our business objectives. *MODEL EXCELLENCE:  The magnitude of our challenge requires our shared commitment to demonstrating integrity, accountability, equality and clarity across communications and decision making. Summary: The Development organization is comprised of four Process teams: Protein, Polysaccharide, Conjugate Drug Substance (Conjugation), and Drug Product. These Process Development teams are supported by Analytical Development and Formulation Development teams. Vaxcyte is looking for a Scientist II with experience in microbial fermentation and upstream process development to join the Upstream Polysaccharide Process Development team. The candidate will be responsible for designing, executing, analyzing, and documenting experiments to develop, optimize, and characterize upstream processes for polysaccharide manufacturing using microorganisms. The successful candidate will have practical laboratory experience in microbial fermentation processes and the ability to apply scientific and engineering principles to experimental design, data interpretation, process troubleshooting, and technical decision-making. The role will require significant hands-on laboratory work, and this individual will be expected to document experimental procedures, results, conclusions, and recommendations in written and presentation formats. The successful candidate will lead assigned project activities, provide technical guidance to junior team members, collaborate with cross-functional teams, author technical documents, and communicate scientific results to internal stakeholders. Essential Functions: - Design, execute, analyze, and document upstream polysaccharide fermentation studies to support process development, optimization, characterization, scale-up, and vaccine production processes. - Develop and troubleshoot fermentation processes and operating parameters to improve product yield, quality, consistency, and robustness using appropriate statistical tools (e.g., DoE). - Perform microbiology, fermentation, and bioreactor operations, including equipment setup, operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and automation script development for systems such as Ambr®250. - Coordinate and perform analytical testing, interpret experimental results, identify technical risks and process trends, and develop scientifically sound conclusions and recommendations. - Investigate unexpected or anomalous results, including variability in growth, yield, or polysaccharide quality attributes, through structured root-cause experimentation. - Support integration and interpretation of data across upstream, downstream, and analytical functions, in collaboration with Senior Scientist or function leads, to connect fermentation conditions to downstream performance and final product quality. - Identify and propose new experimental approaches, at-line or online monitoring, and multivariate data-analysis tools that increase the resolution with which the team can observe and interpret the process, with implementation led by Senior Scientist or above. - Support process characterization, raw material evaluations, technology transfer, manufacturing support, and technical investigations. - Author and review protocols, technical reports, SOPs, batch records, and development summaries; author regulatory-supporting documentation under the review and guidance of Senior Scientist. - Maintain accurate experimental records in laboratory notebooks and electronic laboratory notebook systems. - Lead assigned project activities, provide technical guidance to junior team members, and ensure timely execution of project deliverables. - Present scientific findings and collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders, cross-functional teams, and external partners to achieve project objectives. Requirements: - D in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Microbiology, or a related discipline with 2-5 years of industry experience, or an MS with 7+ years, or a BS/BA with 10+ years of relevant pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry experience. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. Experience independently designing, executing, analyzing, and documenting microbial fermentation and upstream process development studies. - Experience independently designing, executing, analyzing, and documenting microbial fermentation and upstream process development studies. - Strong knowledge of microbial fermentation, process development, scale-up/scale-down, process optimization, and related analytical technologies. - Hands-on experience with fermenters, microbial media, and process analytical technologies. - Experience with bioreactor operations, automation systems (e.g., Ambr®250), and data analysis tools such as JMP. - Experience with process characterization, technology transfer, manufacturing support, or raw material qualification is preferred. - Working knowledge of statistical analysis and Design of Experiments (DoE). - Experience with cell banking, colony selection, and microbial strain characterization is a plus. - Working knowledge of GMP requirements and regulatory-supporting documentation. - Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects, troubleshoot process challenges, manage multiple priorities, and collaborate effectively in cross-functional teams. - Experience working with BSL-2 organisms; experience with Streptococcus pneumoniae or Escherichia coli is a plus. - Strong scientific writing, data presentation, and communication skills. - Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment. Reports to: Senior Scientist, Upstream Polysaccharide Process Development Location: San Carlos, CA Work Arrangement (may be adjusted based on business needs, job responsibilities, or changes to company policy): Onsite (minimum of 4 days per week onsite) Compensation: The compensation package will be competitive and includes comprehensive benefits and an equity component. Salary Range: $146,000 - $171,000 ## Equal Opportunity We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. Recruitment Fraud Notice Please be aware of fraud or scams from individuals, organizations and/or internet sites claiming to represent Vaxcyte in recruitment activities. Vaxcyte has an established recruitment process for all positions prior to issuing an offer for employment and we will never extend unsolicited employment offers or ask candidates to provide financial or sensitive personal information as part of the application process. All legitimate communication from Vaxcyte will come from an official @vaxcyte.com email address. Qualified and interested candidates should apply to current openings at [vaxcyte.com/careers](https://vaxcyte.com/careers/). ## About Vaxcyte ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Vaxcyte is a clinical-stage biotechnology company re-engineering how vaccines are made to eliminate bacterial infections, using a cell-free protein synthesis platform to develop high-fidelity, broad-spectrum vaccines. - **Entity Type**: Public (Ticker: PCVX) - **Headquarters**: San Carlos, California, United States - **Founded**: 2013 (as SutroVax; rebranded to Vaxcyte in 2020) - **Founders**: Not publicly available (the company emerged from Sutro Biopharma’s spin-out) ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Biotechnology / Vaccines (Infectious Disease) - **Target customers**: Global healthcare systems, public health organizations, and ultimately patients (B2B/Institutional); the company develops vaccines for both pediatric and adult populations. - **Mission or purpose**: To protect humankind from the consequences of bacterial infections, eliminating diseases like invasive pneumococcal disease, Group A Strep, and Shigella. ## Products & Services - **VAX-31 (31-valent PCV)**: A broad-spectrum pneumococcal conjugate vaccine candidate in Phase 3 for adults and Phase 2 for infants. Designed to cover over 95% of circulating IPD serotypes in U.S. adults 50+ and ~94% in infants. FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation granted. - **VAX-24 (24-valent PCV)**: A pneumococcal conjugate vaccine candidate in Phase 2 for infants, designed to cover more serotypes than any infant PCV on the market today. - **VAX-A1 (Group A Strep)**: A preclinical conjugate vaccine candidate for Group A Strep, a disease with no currently approved vaccine. Phase 1 first-in-human study (adults) underway in Australia. - **VAX-GI (Shigella)**: A novel preclinical vaccine candidate targeting Shigella, a leading cause of diarrheal disease. - **Platform Technology**: A proprietary cell-free protein synthesis platform that enables site-specific, carrier-sparing conjugation to produce precisely targeted vaccines with enhanced immunogenicity. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: ~$16.7 billion (as of early July 2026) - **Key Metric**: Total funding raised (private) is not applicable; as a public company, key metrics include cash position (~$2.0 billion as of Q1 2026) and R&D investment. The company is pre-revenue. - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Major institutional investors include Baker Bros. Advisors, Fidelity, and funds managed by BlackRock. Key partnership: exclusive license agreement with Sutro Biopharma for its cell-free protein synthesis platform. - **Growth Signals**: - Up to $1 billion commitment to expanding U.S. manufacturing with a new facility in North Carolina. - VAX-31 Phase 3 program (OPUS-1, OPUS-2, OPUS-3) topline data expected Q4 2026 – H1 2027. - Headcount growth: actively hiring across 100+ roles (Analytical, Commercial, Clinical, Conjugation, Quality, Regulatory). - Recognized as a Great Place to Work and Best Workplace in BioPharma (multiple years). ## Competitive Advantages - **Broadest-spectrum PCV candidates**: VAX-31 is the broadest-spectrum pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in the clinic, targeting up to 31 serotypes. - **Differentiated platform**: Cell-free protein synthesis allows for the creation of complex, high-fidelity vaccines that can overcome bacterial defense mechanisms (e.g., capsule-switching) that limit conventional cell-based vaccines. - **Carrier-sparing technology**: Site-specific conjugation enables a higher valency (more serotypes) without compromising immunogenicity or tolerability. - **Manufacturing scale**: Significant investment in U.S.-based production capacity provides a long-term supply chain advantage and aligns with "Investing in America" initiatives. ## Strategic Focus - **Primary**: Advance VAX-31 and VAX-24 through late-stage clinical trials to secure regulatory approval and establish a new standard of care for pneumococcal disease. - **Pipeline expansion**: Advance VAX-A1 (Group A Strep) and VAX-GI (Shigella) candidates through early clinical development. - **Manufacturing**: Scale up internal manufacturing capabilities to support commercial launch and global supply. - **Commercial readiness**: Building a commercial organization (e.g., hiring a VP of U.S. Market Access & Pricing, Senior Director of Product Launch) to prepare for potential VAX-31 launch. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Described as a "kindness-first" mindset with a focus on audacious goals, collaboration, and mutual support. Recognized as a *Great Place to Work* and *Best Workplace in BioPharma* (Fortune). - **Work Model**: Hybrid, Remote, and Onsite options available depending on role. San Carlos HQ offers a hybrid schedule. - **Total Rewards**: 100% paid health, dental, and vision insurance; 401k matching; flexible PTO and holidays; paid parental and sick leave; equity awards (stock options & RSUs); Employee Stock Purchase Plan; lifestyle spending account; mental health and wellness resources. - **Growth & Development**: Strong emphasis on learning culture, professional advancement through coaching, and career development programs. - **Mission-driven**: Employees are directly contributing to creating vaccines that protect every child born and every adult at risk from bacterial infections globally. ## Sources 1. [vaxcyte.com](https://vaxcyte.com/) 2. [vaxcyte.com/careers](https://vaxcyte.com/careers/) 3. [vaxcyte.com/job-listings](https://vaxcyte.com/job-listings/) 4. [vaxcyte.com/culture](https://vaxcyte.com/culture/) 5. 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