Team Leader, Vaccine Formulation Development

Role Description

Zoetis Veterinary Medicine Research and Development (VMRD) is seeking an enthusiastic colleague for a challenging and fast-paced position in Biologics Product Development in Kalamazoo, MI.

The incumbent is responsible for the design and execution of vaccine formulation and delivery strategies for different antigen types (peptide, protein, nucleotides, viral, bacterial etc.). The scientist in this position is also responsible for working collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams, author technical documents, leading / supporting organizational initiatives, assessing new capabilities / technologies. The selected individual is expected to have knowledge of immune pathways, molecular biology, and formulation approaches used for vaccine products. Colleague would be responsible for leading a team of vaccine formulation scientists.

The responsibilities for this role will include but not limited to:

• Design vaccine delivery approaches to attain desired immune response, based on biology of disease and intervention approaches
• Design and conduct studies to characterize molecular and biophysical properties of various types of antigens (peptides, proteins, nucleotides, viral, bacterial etc.)
• Design and development of parenteral biologic formulations (solutions, lyophilized products, and other dosage forms)
• Develop and optimize lyophilization-cycle
• Develop and prepare vaccines for clinical studies
• Lead a team of scientists responsible for formulation development of vaccines
• Work with cross-functional teams (internal and external) to execute plans and deliverables
• Keep abreast of relevant new technologies & regulatory expectations/requirements
• Ensure work activities are aligned with relevant Quality and EHS requirements.

Basic Qualifications

M.S (with 7+ plus years of relevant experience) or PhD (with 3 of experience in academia, biotech or pharmaceutical industry) in Immunology, Pharmaceutics or Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering or related field with research focus on adjuvant research, formulation and delivery aspects of vaccines or immuno-therapeutics. Prior people leader experience is preferred.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with various types of vaccine antigens and adjuvant systems
• Advanced knowledge of drug delivery systems for biologicals
• Experience in parenteral formulation development for biologics and lyophilization techniques
• Understanding of biochemistry, degradation pathways, and general approaches for antigen stabilization
• Experience with biophysical techniques and ability to apply them for characterization and problem-solving during vaccine formulation development
• Ability to independently contribute from the bench
• Demonstrated people leader skills, ability to coach, train and lead others in the design, execution and interpretation of experiments for formulation development
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Any unsolicited resumes sent to Zoetis from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Zoetis mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Zoetis employees, or to Zoetis resume database will be considered Zoetis property. Zoetis will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.

Zoetis will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search.