Research Lead, Vaccine Antigen Design, Bacterial Targets

Job Title: ​Research Lead, Vaccine Antigen Design, Bacterial Targets

Within the Global Antigen Design (GAD) Function, the Research Lead plays a pivotal role, strategically guiding the research activities of new vaccine projects to ensure timely and budget-conscious delivery. As the principal representative of GAD within the Global Project Team (GPT), this role is crucial for driving the scientific strategy and development plans in alignment with the high-level Vaccines R&D Strategy.  This position is instrumental in advancing Global Antigen Design’s mission to deliver next-generation, high-performing target antigens to Sanofi’s pipeline, ensuring that all activities meet the needs and accelerated timelines of the GPT.

The primary responsibilities of the Research Lead will be to transversally direct a team or teams of research scientists to achieve ambitious project goals, ensuring alignment with department and function heads and interfacing functions such as Global Immunology, mRNA Center of Excellence and Vaccines CMC Development and Supply. He/she/they will develop and execute the scientific strategy and development plan in collaboration with Heads of Platform, overseeing timelines and quality of deliverables to ensure excellence in execution. Serving as the primary interface between the GAD function and the GPT, the Research Lead will report project status, identify risks, and propose mitigation plans. Additionally, they will contribute to the vision of developing transversal design and innovation strategies, identifying new research opportunities, and maximizing synergy between projects.

We are an innovative global healthcare company that helps the world stay ahead of infectious diseases by delivering more than 500 million vaccine doses a year. Across different countries, our talented teams are exploring new technologies to protect people and promote healthy communities. We chase the miracles of science every single day, pursuing progress to make a real impact on millions of patients around the world.

Main Responsibilities:

• Lead Scientific Strategy: Direct the scientific strategy for the project within Global Antigen Design, operating within a fast-paced and agile environment to drive innovation and excellence.

• Develop Objectives: Formulate technical and research “macro” plan that align with and support the ambitious R&D strategies of Global Antigen Design.

• Support Clinical & Regulatory Dossier Preparation: Ensure GAD activities are in sync with clinical trial expectations, including IND submissions, CMC support, and toxicology testing, as required.

• Foster Collaboration: Represent Global Antigen Design through robust collaborations with project teams, project heads, and colleagues across various intra- and inter-departmental functions (CMC, clinical, regulatory, mRNA) to advance vaccine candidates into clinical trials.

• Identify Innovation Opportunities: Proactively identify and leverage internal and external innovation opportunities to drive project success.

• Solve Complex Problems: Address and resolve complex scientific and technical challenges with creativity and precision.

• Manage Risks: Evaluate, communicate, and manage risks effectively to ensure project continuity and success.

• Represent GAD: Serve as the GAD representative at governance and strategic forums, ensuring alignment and advocacy for the function's goals.

• Disseminate Data: Contribute to the internal distribution and communication of preclinical data, ensuring transparency and informed decision-making.

Context of the Job:

This position is key for achieving the mission of the Global Antigen Design group within Sanofi: pioneering, testing, and implementing innovative cutting-edge science and bringing together teams with diverse expertise in structural, computational, synthetic & molecular biology, biochemistry, mAb discovery, bacteriology, and other related disciplines.

• Reports to: Global Head, Transversal Antigen Design

• Leads: A transversal “core” team of scientists, with sub-teams as needed

• Expertise: Subject Matter Expert in a field of vaccinology, with a strong preference for Bacteriology and Structural Biology

• Interactions: Crossfunctional & within the Global Project Team

• Accountability: Defines documentation required for regulatory dossiers

• Representation: Acts as the GAD representative at various internal decisional/govornance committees and external meetings with regulatory agencies (e.g., CBER)

Major Challenges:

• Decision Making: Making informed and timely decisions, often with incomplete information, to drive project progress and achieve objectives.

• Handling Ambiguity: Comfortably navigating and managing ambiguity, adapting to changing circumstances, and maintaining focus on strategic goals.

• Prioritization: Distinguishing between what is critical, important, interesting, and exploratory, and prioritizing appropriately.

• Complexity Navigation: Smoothly switching between different scientific and operational disciplines and requirements, marrying deep scientific research with a fast-paced operational mindset and proper documentation.

• Execution Across Timescales: Executing on a variety of timescales and merging results from many sub-disciplines and techniques to meet project objectives and milestones.

• Rapid Experimentation: Quickly transforming an idea into an experiment, learning from the results, and deciding on the next steps, including the potential termination of the idea.

About You

Experience: 

• Minimum of 10 years in early stage Research and Bacteriology, Vaccinology or related discipline, with a track record in transversal leadership roles.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Vaccinology, Bacteriology, Structure-Based Antigen Design or related field

Profile:

• Extensive expertise in Bacteriology, Vaccinology, Microbiology, Biochemistry and Structural Biology is mandatory

• Familiarity with Immunology and Monoclonal Antibody Discovery is a plus

• A robust working knowledge of preclinical vaccine candidate assessment (in vitro & in vivo) is required

• Previous experience working in the industry and leading cross-functional teams is essential

• Demonstrated leadership skills with an entrepreneurial mindset

• Experience working in an agile, matrixed environment

• Highly proficient interpersonal, communication, presentation & negotiation skills

• Performance-oriented & data driven with a track record of delivery against challenging bacterial vaccine targets with aggressive timelines

• Ability and willingness to lead transversally and to mentor junior team members

• Displays a high degree of integrity and acts in the best interest of the Company

Language Proficiency:

• Fluent in English, proficiency in French is a significant advantage

Why Choose Us?

• Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future-focused team.

• Discover endless opportunities to grow your talent and drive your career, whether it’s through a promotion or lateral move, at home or internationally.

• Enjoy a thoughtful, well-crafted rewards package that recognizes your contribution and amplifies your impact.

• Take good care of yourself and your family, with a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits including high-quality healthcare, prevention and wellness programs and at least 14 weeks’ gender-neutral parental leave.

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.

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