Success Profile

Courageous
Results-driven
Proactive
Problem-Solver
Leadership
Team player

Position Overview

Sanofi Vaccines is seeking a creative and highly motivated biological engineer/biochemist to join the vaccine research group in Cambridge, MA. The primary objective for this individual will be to develop innovative approaches to enable rapid prototyping of vaccine candidates against viral pathogens. The successful candidate will design, perform, and execute protein expression, purification and characterization campaigns at research scale; and collaborate with CMC team to ensure efficient and effective technology transfer from Research to Development. The successful candidate will also have experience with high-throughput screening (HTS)/production methods and be capable to design and perform high-throughput analytical assays to screen for correctly folded protein antigens. A fundamental understanding of automation systems as well as data management/analysis/visualization and various other computational aspects which accompany HTS approaches is desired. It is imperative that this candidate has expert level knowledge of protein conformation and function, ideally in the context of viral membrane fusion proteins and additional important viral protein immunogens. In-depth characterization of purified proteins with various analytical tools is also required. An understanding of basic virology and viral vaccinology, including interaction with host cellular receptors, viral entry mechanisms, neutralization mechanisms, modification of viral antigens for stabilization of antigenic conformation is preferred.

It is imperative that this candidate has an expert level of bioengineering of biologics, hands-on experience with laboratory automation and programming. The successful candidate will also have working knowledge and experience on protein engineering, expression and various bioanalytical tools such as HPLC, mass spectrometry, DSC, BLI to assess correctly folded protein antigens. A fundamental understanding of automation systems as well as data management/analysis/visualization and various other computational aspects such as the ability to write code which accompany HTS approaches is desired.

The successful candidate will be responsible for performing critical data analyses and for independently preparing and delivering impactful presentations to senior team members and to the global project team. They must also have excellent communication skills including oral and written presentations.

Key Responsibilities

Biochemistry & Bioengineering

• Alongside senior technical staff, co-lead the experimental design, planning and execution of viral antigen screening, production, characterization efforts

• Independently develop and optimize experimental assays to meet project objectives

• Research, propose, and implement next-generation technologies to increase efficiency of high-throughput screening efforts in an Agile work environment

• Develop novel or optimize automation and biological protocols to enable the design, engineering, and characterization of antigens

• Collaborate with automation engineers and independently implement solutions for protein production using a variety of automation equipment

• Work with internal Automation/Digital/Computational teams to implement data management best practices and ensure that data will be structured for AI and ML applications

• Serve as a laboratory lead to design and execute experiments with scientific staff that comply with study protocols and maintain scientific norms (contain appropriate positive and negative controls, replicates, standards, etc.) to appropriately achieve goals set forth in study plans.

• Demonstrate technical proficiency with the ability to problem solve in a broad array of experimental protocols.

• Provide guidance to junior personnel regarding protocol development, execution, and data validation.

• Help to lead, monitor, and maintain facility related aspects of the lab and lab equipment as needed

Project Contribution

• Present concise scientific presentations in-line with project objectives

• Support and in some cases lead internal site-specific projects.

• Assist with and/or prepare publications, proposals, reports, patents, and grant applications

• Critically evaluate relevant literature to provide experimental and strategic input to senior team members as needed.

• Actively take part in the training of more junior technical staff

GRP and HSE

• Comply with the company safety policies and HSE to minimize risk to self, others and the environment, consistent with HSE policies, community and industry standards

• Identify and help to improve best practices in HSE operations

• Ensure documentation of laboratory experiments are entered in ELSE in a timely manner: analyze and summarize experimental outcomes, record experimental procedures and raw and analyzed data

• Participate in generating/reviewing SOPs and other required documents

• Remain compliant with applicable trainings

Qualifications & Skills

• Ph.D. in bioengineering/chemical engineering/biochemistry or related field with 4 years of experience, or Masters’ degree and 6 years’ experience in a Pharmaceutical or Biotechnology company (in an experimental laboratory environment).

• Knowledge and preferably hands-on experience molecular cloning, protein expression and characterization for viral proteins

• Required hands-on experience with laboratory automation and programming for high-throughput approaches

• Familiarity with liquid handlers and automation

• Strong interpersonal, communication, collaboration, leadership, and problem-solving skills are required.

Sanofi Inc. and its U.S. affiliates are Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employers committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.

As a healthcare company and a vaccine manufacturer, Sanofi has an important responsibility to protect individual and public health. All US based roles require individuals to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as part of your job responsibilities.

According to the CDC, an individual is considered to be “fully vaccinated” fourteen (14) days after receiving (a) the second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or (b) the single dose of the J&J vaccine. Fully vaccinated, for new Sanofi employees, is to be fully vaccinated 14 DAYS PRIOR TO START DATE.

#GD-SP
#LI-SP

At Sanofi diversity and inclusion is foundational to how we operate and embedded in our Core Values. We recognize to truly tap into the richness diversity brings we must lead with inclusion and have a workplace where those differences can thrive and be leveraged to empower the lives of our colleagues, patients and customers. We respect and celebrate the diversity of our people, their backgrounds and experiences and provide equal opportunity for all.