---
title: 'Senior Associate Scientist (Contract), Formulation Development at Vaxcyte'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-associate-scientist-contract-formulation-development-vaxcyte-san-carlos-p52aabaqrt3y'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-07'
---

# Senior Associate Scientist (Contract), Formulation Development at Vaxcyte

- **Company:** Vaxcyte
- **Location:** San Carlos California, United States
- **Posted:** 2026-05-13
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07
- **Apply:** https://boards.greenhouse.io/vaxcyte/jobs/5218345008?gh_jid=5218345008

## 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:

Vaxcyte has an exciting opportunity for a highly-motivated and talented individual to join our Formulation Development team. The Senior Research Associate Scientist will play a critical role in the development of innovative protein–polysaccharide conjugate vaccines. The successful candidate will independently design, execute, and support formulation development activities to advance Vaxcyte’s drug product pipeline from early-stage development through clinical studies and commercialization. In this role, the candidate will lead complex experimental studies, including the design of formulation screening strategies, analytical testing, and physicochemical characterization of drug products; support investigations; and contribute to process optimization and technical problem-solving.

Essential Functions:

- Support and execute the manufacture of complex drug products to support formulation development, analytical development, animal immunogenicity studies, and process development.
- With guidance, design, plan, and independently perform complex experiments, including troubleshooting and optimization of formulation processes.
- Analyze and interpret experimental data; clearly communicate findings through presentations in working group meetings and contributions to technical reports and presentations.
- Analyze samples with biochemical, biophysical and particle characterization techniques, interpret results, and communicate conclusions to the broader team.
- Prepare buffers, solutions, and reagents to support formulation and analytical activities, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
- Maintain scientific rigor and ensure detailed, accurate documentation of all experiments conducted.
- Support and enhance laboratory organization, including bench management, inventory control, and compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
- Ensure accurate, thorough, and timely documentation of all experimental work in electronic lab notebooks.
- This position reports into the Formulation Development function and is part of the broader Process Development and Manufacturing group.
- This position will collaborate with cross-functional groups and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment is essential.
- Demonstrate agility in both scientific thinking and practical execution; a proactive, solution-oriented mindset is strongly encouraged.
- This is a lab-based position and requires the ability to stand or sit for extended periods as well as work in biosafety cabinets.

Requirements:

- BS degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field with minimum 5 years of relevant industry experience, or MS degree with minimum 3 years of relevant industry experience. Experience in vaccine formulation development is a plus.
- Strong hands-on experience in buffer preparation, formulation development, and laboratory techniques.
- Demonstrated ability to independently design and execute experiments and troubleshoot technical challenges.
- Proficiency in maintaining detailed and accurate records; experience with electronic lab notebooks (ELN) is required.
- Experience interpreting complex data sets with data analysis tools (e.g., GraphPad Prism, JMP) and a solid understanding of statistical analysis is preferred.
- Strong organizational skills with attention to detail in pipetting, sample preparation, and data recording.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Proven ability to work effectively in a cross-functional, collaborative environment across multiple projects.
- Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated initiative, scientific curiosity, and the ability to contribute strategically within a fast-paced team.

Reports to: Scientist II, Formulation Development

Work Arrangement: Onsite (minimum of 4 days per week)

Location: San Carlos, CA

Expected Contract Length: 12months

Hourly Range: $56/hr.- $62/hr.

## 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. [vaxcyte.com/pipeline](https://vaxcyte.com/pipeline/)

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