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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Vaccine Research Manager

💰 $150,000 - $220,000

ScienceResearch & DevelopmentBiotechnologyPharmaceuticalsManagementHealthcare

🎯 Role Definition

Are you ready to be at the forefront of global health innovation? We are searching for an experienced and passionate Vaccine Research Manager to spearhead our cutting-edge vaccine development pipeline. In this critical leadership role, you will provide scientific direction, operational oversight, and strategic guidance for our vaccine research programs. You will be instrumental in translating novel scientific concepts into life-saving vaccines, managing a talented team of scientists, and collaborating with cross-functional leaders across the organization. This is a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact on public health by leading complex research projects from preclinical discovery to late-stage clinical development.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Research Scientist / Principal Scientist (Vaccinology)
  • Clinical Research Scientist with project leadership experience
  • R&D Project Manager in a biopharmaceutical setting
  • Postdoctoral Fellow with extensive project management and vaccine research experience

Advancement To:

  • Director of Vaccine Research & Development
  • Senior Director, Clinical Development
  • Head of Immunology / Virology Department
  • Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) track

Lateral Moves:

  • Clinical Operations Program Manager
  • Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs (CMC/Clinical)
  • Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Provide robust scientific leadership and strategic direction for all phases of vaccine development, from initial antigen discovery and platform selection through preclinical and clinical evaluation.
  • Lead, mentor, and manage a high-performing team of research scientists and associates, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and scientific excellence.
  • Oversee the design, execution, and interpretation of complex preclinical and clinical studies to evaluate vaccine immunogenicity, safety, and efficacy, ensuring studies meet scientific objectives.
  • Drive the development and authoring of critical regulatory documents, including study protocols, investigator brochures, clinical study reports (CSRs), and sections of regulatory submissions (IND, BLA, MAA).
  • Develop and manage comprehensive project timelines, resources, and budgets for multiple vaccine programs, ensuring milestones are met and projects are delivered within scope.
  • Serve as the primary scientific point of contact and subject matter expert for vaccine programs, effectively communicating strategy, progress, and risks to senior leadership and governance committees.
  • Ensure all research activities are conducted in strict compliance with internal SOPs and external regulatory guidelines, including Good Clinical Practices (GCP) and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).
  • Establish and manage strategic collaborations with external partners, including academic institutions, Contract Research Organizations (CROs), and other biotechnology companies, to advance research objectives.
  • Champion the scientific and technical review of new technologies and potential in-licensing opportunities to enhance the organization's vaccine development capabilities.
  • Analyze and interpret complex datasets from immunological assays, animal models, and clinical trials to make data-driven decisions and guide program direction.
  • Prepare and deliver high-impact scientific presentations for internal stakeholders, advisory boards, and at major international scientific conferences to showcase program advancements.
  • Act as a key member of the cross-functional program team, collaborating closely with Clinical Operations, Biostatistics, Regulatory Affairs, and Manufacturing (CMC) to ensure seamless program execution.
  • Proactively identify scientific, technical, and operational challenges within the vaccine programs and develop innovative and effective mitigation strategies.
  • Maintain a deep and current understanding of the competitive landscape, emerging scientific literature, and advancements in vaccinology, immunology, and virology.
  • Guide the development of novel assays and animal models required to characterize immune responses and assess the protective efficacy of vaccine candidates.
  • Lead the preparation of high-quality manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals to contribute to the scientific community.
  • Directly contribute to the organization's long-term research and development strategy, providing key insights for portfolio planning and prioritization.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to answer critical questions from regulatory bodies or internal governance.
  • Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap by championing best practices for data integrity, management, and visualization in a research context.
  • Collaborate with business units and corporate development to translate data needs and scientific findings into compelling narratives for external partners and investors.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the broader R&D team to improve operational efficiency and cross-functional alignment.
  • Foster the professional development of team members by identifying training opportunities, providing regular feedback, and creating growth pathways.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Vaccine Development: Deep expertise in modern vaccine platforms (e.g., mRNA, viral vector, protein subunit, VLP) and the end-to-end development process.
  • Immunology & Virology: Advanced knowledge of immunology, particularly T-cell and B-cell responses to vaccination, and the pathogenesis of viral or bacterial diseases.
  • Clinical Trial Design: Proven ability to design, implement, and interpret data from Phase 1-3 clinical trials for vaccines or biologics.
  • Regulatory Compliance: In-depth understanding of global regulatory requirements and guidelines, including GCP, GLP, and ICH standards for vaccine development.
  • Project & Program Management: Mastery of project management principles, including timeline development, budget oversight, and risk management, often using tools like MS Project or Smartsheet.
  • Data Analysis & Interpretation: Proficiency in analyzing complex biological and clinical datasets using statistical software (e.g., Prism, R, JMP).
  • Scientific Writing: Exceptional ability to author and review complex scientific and regulatory documents (protocols, CSRs, IND/BLA sections, manuscripts).

Soft Skills

  • Leadership & Mentorship: Demonstrated ability to lead, inspire, and develop a team of highly skilled scientists.
  • Strategic Thinking: Capacity to see the bigger picture, anticipate future trends, and align research activities with long-term corporate goals.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven success in working effectively within matrixed environments and influencing stakeholders across various functions.
  • Communication & Presentation: Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
  • Problem-Solving: Adept at identifying the root cause of complex scientific and operational issues and implementing creative, effective solutions.
  • Adaptability & Resilience: Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and can effectively manage ambiguity and shifting priorities.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in a relevant scientific discipline.

Preferred Education:

  • Doctoral degree with a postdoctoral fellowship or focused research in a directly relevant area is highly preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Microbiology
  • Public Health
  • Pharmaceutical Sciences

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 8+ years of relevant postgraduate experience in vaccine research and development within the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry.
  • A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in a leadership capacity, including direct management of scientists and/or leadership of cross-functional project teams.

Preferred:

  • Direct, hands-on experience leading a vaccine program through key development milestones, from preclinical proof-of-concept to IND submission and clinical evaluation.
  • A strong record of scientific achievement, as evidenced by publications in top-tier journals, patent applications, and presentations at international conferences.
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