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Vaccine Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Vaxcyte

Medical Science Liaison

OR · On-site +1

$184K - $215K/yr

This field-based role will serve as a trusted scientific partner to healthcare providers, public health officials, and key opinion leaders (KOLs) to support vaccine education, clinical development ...

SSM Health

Physician

Saint Louis, MO · On-site

Louis, Missouri, seeks a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as its next Division Director and the Associate Director of the SLU Center for Vaccine Development. Title/Scope - Division Director ...

Touro University

Laboratory Assistant

Valhalla, NY · On-site

$19.20 - $24/hr

This position is in an NIH-funded lab within the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology that investigates vaccine development for pathogenic bacteria. This position provides laboratory ...

Touro University

Laboratory Assistant

Valhalla, NY

This position is in an NIH-funded lab within the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology that investigates vaccine development for pathogenic bacteria. This position provides laboratory ...

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All JobsVaccine Development Jobs

Vaccine Development information

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$26.5K

$58.1K

$83.5K

How much do vaccine development jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for vaccine development in the United States is $58,149.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,000.00 and $66,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Vaccine Development, and why are they important?

To excel in Vaccine Development, you need a solid background in microbiology, immunology, and biochemistry, often supported by an advanced degree in a life science field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, statistical analysis software, and regulatory compliance systems such as Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) is critical. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills set standout professionals apart in this field. These skills ensure the safe, efficient, and innovative development of vaccines that protect public health.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in vaccine development, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in vaccine development often encounter challenges such as rapidly evolving pathogens, stringent regulatory requirements, and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration. Managing tight project timelines while ensuring safety and efficacy can also be demanding. Addressing these challenges typically involves staying updated on the latest scientific advancements, fostering clear communication among cross-functional teams, and maintaining meticulous documentation to meet compliance standards. Embracing a problem-solving mindset and proactive learning are crucial for success in this field.

What is vaccine development?

Vaccine development is the process of designing, testing, and producing vaccines to prevent infectious diseases. It involves several stages, including exploratory research, pre-clinical studies, clinical trials (phases I-III), regulatory approval, and large-scale manufacturing. The process ensures that vaccines are safe, effective, and meet quality standards before they are made available to the public. Vaccine development can take several years and requires collaboration among scientists, regulatory agencies, and manufacturers.

What jobs in the US pay 300,000 a year?

In vaccine development, senior roles such as Director of Vaccine Development, Vice President, or Chief Scientific Officer can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced degrees, and leadership responsibilities. These positions often require expertise in immunology, regulatory knowledge, and management skills, and may include bonuses and stock options as part of compensation packages.

What is the difference between Vaccine Development vs Vaccine Manufacturing?

AspectVaccine DevelopmentVaccine Manufacturing
CredentialsBiologists, researchers, clinical trial specialistsProduction technicians, quality control specialists
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, clinical trial sitesManufacturing plants, quality assurance labs
Industry UsageDesigning and testing new vaccinesMass production and distribution of vaccines

Vaccine Development involves creating and testing new vaccines through research and clinical trials, while Vaccine Manufacturing focuses on producing and distributing vaccines at scale. Both roles are essential in the vaccine lifecycle but differ in their focus, skills, and work environment.

More about Vaccine Development jobs
What cities are hiring for Vaccine Development jobs? Cities with the most Vaccine Development job openings:
What states have the most Vaccine Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Vaccine Development jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Vaccine Development jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Vaccine Development jobs are:
Vaccine Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Vaccine Development job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, and 15% Part Time. Highlights an 96% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,149 per year, or $28 per hour.
Principal Scientist

Principal Scientist

Alphanumeric Systems, Inc.

Cambridge, MA • On-site

$78 - $83.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

Alphanumeric is hiring a PRINCIPAL SCIENTIST to work in Cambridge, MA with our client of 20 years committed to improving lives through medical and pharmaceutical advancements.

Pay Range: $78.00 - $83.50/hour (W2)
W2 only. No C2C or third-party candidates will be considered.

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated Principal Scientist to lead the development of scalable, cell-based assay platforms for evaluating and ranking multi-epitope mRNA construct designs in a high-throughput environment.

This role requires deep expertise in flow cytometry and microscopy-based cellular readouts, with the ability to translate complex assay data into clear, actionable design recommendations to advance mRNA vaccine development.

Key Responsibilities
  • Lead development of cell-based assays to evaluate and rank multi-epitope mRNA construct designs (e.g., expression/presentation proxies, antigen-specific T cell activation, breadth/competition effects).
  • Provide technical leadership in flow cytometry, including panel design, controls, acquisition, gating strategies, SOP development, troubleshooting, and data quality control.
  • Partner closely with Molecular Biology and RNA teams to design and iterate mRNA constructs based on assay outcomes.
  • Establish robust, reproducible workflows using cell lines and/or primary immune cells.
  • Enable high-throughput assay execution (96/384-well formats) with standardized controls and scalable analysis templates.
  • Mentor team members and build internal capabilities around new assay platforms.
  • Ensure data integrity, documentation, and compliance with internal standards; support assay transfer across teams and sites.
  • Stay current on advancements in RNA vaccines, immunology, and assay technologies.
  • Contribute to internal reports, publications, and scientific presentations.
  • Foster a collaborative, high-performance scientific environment.

Basic Qualifications
  • PhD in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Immunology, or related field with 3+ years of postdoctoral and/or industry experience (or MS with 8+ years).
  • Strong knowledge of molecular biology techniques (cloning, RNA production, characterization).
  • Deep understanding of RNA biology and mRNA vaccine design principles.
  • Extensive hands-on experience with flow cytometry (design → execution → analysis) and building reproducible assays.
  • Experience working with immune and/or engineered cell lines.
  • Practical experience with microscopy-based assays (confocal or high-content imaging).
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with high-throughput cellular assay development (96/384-well formats, assay miniaturization, robustness metrics).
  • Hands-on experience with automation platforms (e.g., Tecan, Hamilton) or strong collaboration with automation teams.
  • Familiarity with multiplex protein assays (e.g., cytokine panels).
  • Expertise in T cell functional assays and translating results into construct design decisions.
  • Knowledge of antigen processing and presentation pathways.
  • Exposure to immunopeptidomics.
  • Experience with data workflows for high-throughput biology (LIMS, metadata standards, reproducible pipelines).
Must-Have Skills
  • Flow cytometry assay development and analysis
  • Cell-based assay design (immune-focused)
  • mRNA/RNA biology and construct optimization
  • Data interpretation and decision-making for design iteration
  • Cross-functional collaboration (biology + RNA + data teams)
What Type of Individuals Excel in This Environment
  • Scientifically curious and driven to solve complex biological problems
  • Thrive in fast-paced, iterative R&D environments
  • Strong ownership mindset with ability to lead from the bench
  • Comfortable translating data into strategy and action
  • Collaborative and able to influence across cross-functional teams
Nice-to-Have (Edge) Qualifications
  • Experience in vaccine development or infectious disease research
  • Background in biotech/pharma R&D environments
  • Familiarity with AI/ML-supported assay analysis or design workflows
  • Prior experience scaling assays from early research to platform level
Additional Information
  • Industry experience in biotech, pharmaceutical, or related life sciences strongly preferred; adjacent research environments (academic labs, translational research institutes) will be considered.