Principal Scientist

Job Purpose:

The individual serves as a subject matter expert responsible for oversight of influenza candidate vaccine virus (CVV) strain screening, selection, and optimization, (upstream and downstream processes). This includes direct leadership/oversight of the multiple scientific teams within TD Late Stage Development group, towards the delivery of fully optimized strains for influenza commercial vaccine manufacture.  

• Accountable for own self and TD Late Stage CVV screening and optimization teams contributions to deliver fully optimized strains to support commercial influenza vaccine manufacture.
• Directs the work of CVV screening and optimization by scientific staff.
• Responsible for delivery of fully optimized, high yield, antigenically relevant candidate vaccine viruses for both the northern and southern hemisphere influenza vaccine formulation.
• Responsible for delivery of fully optimized pandemic candidate vaccine viruses for influenza pandemic preparedness.
• Provides guidance and leadership to team members, serves as subject matter expert for Department/Site, and acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience.
• Provides technical guidance to global TD, cross-functional colleagues and customers.

• Requires in-depth conceptual and practical expertise in own technical or scientific discipline (focus on virology, bioprocessing, mammalian cell culture, vaccine development, etc.).
• Previous experience with direct reports; managing teams of individual scientific/technical contributors (i.e. scientists, engineers).
• Previous experience working with viruses and vaccine development strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of aseptic operations experience and biosafety level 2 and biosafety level 2 enhanced strongly preferred.
• Technical expertise/previous experience with one or more of the following strongly preferred:
  • Virology (influenza virology preferred), virus surveillance, and/or epidemiology
  • Vaccine development
  • Knowledge of statistical techniques such as Design of Experiments (DoE)
  • Upstream processing: handling and cultivation of mammalian cell culture, bioreactors, and automated liquid handling systems
  • Downstream processing
• Flexible and adaptable attitude with the ability to support change management.
• Effective verbal & written communication skills in a cross functional environment.
• Ability to lead, drive and motivate people to achieve goals.
• Experience presenting complex technical concepts to a wide range of audiences of varying technical depth.
• Demonstrated Lominger competencies in ethics and values, integrity and trust, decisions quality, functional/technical skills, peer relationships, developing direct reports, perseverance and problem solving.
• Model and promote CSL/Seqirus values.

• Postgraduate degree (preferably PhD) and / or extensive experience in relevant industry or academic environment
• 5-10 years industry experience and / or equivalent experience in a relevant academic environment.
• Strong and proven scientific background in relevant Life Sciences discipline.
• Experience in working in cross-functional, multicultural and international teams.

Our Benefits

Seqirus is committed to attracting and retaining world-class employees who are valued for their contributions to achieving business objectives. Learn more about some of the benefits you can participate in when you join Seqirus.

Seqirus is part of CSL Limited (ASX: CSL). As one of the largest influenza vaccine providers in the world, Seqirus is a major contributor to the prevention of influenza globally and a transcontinental partner in pandemic preparedness. Learn more about Seqirus.

As a global organisation with employees in 35+ countries, CSL embraces diversity, equity and inclusion. Learn more about Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Seqirus.