Research Lead Vaccine, Antigen Design Bacterial Targets

Research Lead Vaccine, Antigen Design Bacterial Targets

Job title: Research Lead Vaccine, Antigen Design Bacterial Targets

Location: Marcy l’Etoile (69)

About the job

Our Team:

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.

Key Accountabilities:

• 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/governance 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.
• 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.

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.

Pursue Progress. Discover Extraordinary.

At Sanofi, we provide equal opportunities to all regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or gender identity.