About the role
We are looking for a Senior Scientist to support CEPI laboratory partnerships by providing expert advice and guidance during the development and validation of immunoassays and/or diagnostic assays for testing vaccine candidates during pre-clinical and clinical trials, and for vaccine deployment. This is a one year fixed-term contract.
Responsibilities
- Assist the development and implementation of immunological assays, such as ELISA, virus neutralization assays, ELISPOT, flow cytometry, etc., within the CEPI laboratory networks
- Serve as assay and technology transfer expert to support the CEPI laboratory networks
- Support CEPI’s ongoing vaccine development projects through offering preclinical expertise in vaccine discovery and development
- Take part in application reviews, due diligence, and project teams related to new analytical technologies.
- Provide technical support for diagnostic evaluation and development projects
- As part of a matrixed team, assist other groups in the Diagnostics, Animal Model and Pre-Clinical space within the Department of Laboratory Research and Innovations with enabling sciences projects for CEPI priority pathogens or Disease X
- Serve as expert and advisor for review of applications for CEPI funding through calls for proposals for laboratory partners and contribute to the due diligence process.
Education, Experience and Competence
- Essential: Advanced degree (PhD level) in Immunology or related disciplines (life science), with a minimum of 10 years post-graduate experience.
- Desirable: Experience coordinating and developing laboratory networks or partnerships in vaccine development, diagnostics, biotechnology, public health, or global health, including governance, stakeholder engagement, and delivery of shared priorities.
- Required: experienced in development and validation of immunoassays for testing vaccine/therapeutic candidates during clinical trials (GLP/GMP and GCLP compliance) and pre-clinical phase and in development and validation of diagnostic assays for case confirmation and RDTs
- Required: Knowledge of regulatory compliance and technology transfer is required
- Required Experience in QC/QA data management and reporting and management of analytical testing is required
- Required Experience with key reagents procurement for pre-clinical & clinical trial assays is required
- Required Knowledge in high throughput multiplex assays platforms is desirable
- Required: experience with BSL3/4 laboratory containment environment and/or toxicology testing is desirable
- Required: Experience in diagnostics and/or immunoassay development, validation, and implementation, as well as familiarity with applying data science or AI methods to assay or diagnostic data. This includes understanding validation, reproducibility, and governance expectations.
- Required: Experience working in collaborative research and development projects, ideally across sectors such as academia, industry, public organisations, and philanthropic funders.
- Required: Strong problem-solving skills and careful attention to detail and accuracy.
- Required: Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Required: Strong computer and digital skills.
Travel and Location Requirements
- This role is based in the UK or Norway.
- Willingness and ability to travel internationally as required.
What we can offer you
- The opportunity to work together with leading experts on solutions for global challenges
- Experience from the international effort on developing vaccines against emerging infectious diseases and accelerating vaccine development response to outbreaks
- A diverse and inclusive working environment
