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Vaccine Researcher information

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$30K

$113.1K

$164.5K

How much do vaccine researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for vaccine researcher in the United States is $113,102.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,000.00 and $154,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a vaccine researcher do?

A vaccine researcher studies viruses, bacteria, and the immune system to develop new vaccines or improve existing ones. Their work involves conducting laboratory experiments, analyzing data, and running clinical trials to ensure vaccine safety and effectiveness. Vaccine researchers collaborate with other scientists and healthcare professionals, often working for universities, government agencies, or pharmaceutical companies. Their efforts are crucial in preventing infectious diseases and improving public health.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a vaccine researcher?

To thrive as a Vaccine Researcher, you need a solid background in immunology, microbiology, and molecular biology, usually supported by an advanced degree such as a Ph.D. or Pharm.D. Familiarity with laboratory techniques, data analysis software, and regulatory compliance systems is essential, as are certifications in biosafety. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and collaborative communication skills help researchers innovate and work effectively in multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualities are crucial to ensure rigorous scientific development, safety, and efficacy in vaccine creation.

What are some typical challenges a vaccine researcher faces during the development process?

Vaccine Researchers often encounter challenges such as ensuring the safety and efficacy of new vaccine candidates, meeting rigorous regulatory requirements, and adapting to evolving pathogens. The work involves extensive collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, including immunologists, clinical trial coordinators, and regulatory specialists. Additionally, researchers must manage tight timelines while navigating complex data analysis and frequent protocol adjustments, all within a highly regulated laboratory environment.

What is the difference between Vaccine Researcher vs Clinical Research Associate?

AspectVaccine ResearcherClinical Research Associate
Required CredentialsAdvanced degrees in biology, microbiology, or immunology; research experienceDegree in life sciences or health-related fields; clinical trial knowledge
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, research facilities, academic institutionsClinical trial sites, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, biotech, pharma companiesPharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding research roles in vaccine developmentComparing clinical trial roles in healthcare research

Vaccine Researchers focus on developing and testing vaccines in laboratory settings, while Clinical Research Associates oversee clinical trials to ensure compliance and data integrity. Both roles are essential in vaccine development but differ in their responsibilities and work environments.

More about Vaccine Researcher jobs

What states have the most Vaccine Researcher jobs?

States with the most job openings for Vaccine Researcher jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Vaccine Researcher jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Vaccine Researcher jobs are:

Vaccine Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Vaccine Researcher job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 64% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,102 per year, or $54.4 per hour.

Staff Scientist - Vaccine Research

City of Hope

Duarte, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

City Of Hope rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 90 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

26th of 893 rated healthcare providers

Job description

Join the forefront of groundbreaking research at the Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, where we're changing lives and making a real difference in the fight against cancer, diabetes, and other life-threatening illnesses. Our dedicated and compassionate faculty and staff are driven by a common mission: Contribute to innovative approaches in predicting, preventing, and curing diseases, shaping the future of medicine through cutting-edge research.

A Staff Scientist position is available in the Vaccine Research Laboratory of Dr. Don Diamond in the Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation of the City of Hope.  The position is available as part of a multi-disciplinary research team tasked to develop a neoantigen-based cancer vaccine for clinical use. We received favorable comments from the FDA on our Pre-IND submission utilizing a highly efficient and fully synthetic poxvirus-vectored vaccine platform that has already been derisked by its use in Phase 2 clinical trials as a Covid-19 vaccine (see NCT04977024, NCT05672355, and NCT04639466).

Please refer to these publications for further background: doi:10.3390/vaccines11091492, PMC7705736, PMC8906816, PMID33257686, PMID31739399 describing the platform and earlier publications using a p53-expressing MVA as a clinical therapeutic in cancer patients (10.1158/2767-9764.CRC-23-0394, PMC8802616, PMC5856606, and PMC5706612).

As a successful candidate, you will:

         Join a highly productive research team who are developing and characterizing recombinant vaccine vectors incorporating neoantigens identified by proprietary bioinformatic pipelines and test these vaccine candidates for in vivo immunogenicity and protective efficacy in different animal tumor models.

         Understanding and prior experience with construction and use of viral vaccine carriers of antigens in animal models would be valuable for this employment opportunity.

         Have experience in tumor immunology including working with transplantable tumor cell lines in congenic mouse models.

         Have experience and knowledge of human immunology is preferred.

Your qualifications should include:

         PhD degree in an appropriate discipline such as cellular or tumor immunology or related fields and preferably a minimum of 3 years of experience in relevant laboratory work.

         Interest and knowledge in vaccine research and neoantigen-based vaccine methods.

         Experience with animal models: Hands-on experience with preclinical animal models, particularly orthotopic tumor models, including animal handling, tumor cell injections, and routine tumor measurements. Knowledge and experience with ultrasound imaging for tumor monitoring is preferred.  

         Experience in multi-color flow cytometry, ELISPOT, measurement of tumor growth by optical imaging, tumor physiology and growth markers, cell culture and related laboratory techniques.

         Ability to independently document scientific progress and write research articles.

City of Hope employees pay is based on the following criteria: work experience, qualifications, and work location.

City of Hope is an equal opportunity employer.

To learn more about our Comprehensive Benefits, please CLICK HERE.

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About City of Hope

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

City of Hope is an independent biomedical research and treatment organization for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a leader in bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapy such as CAR T cell therapy. City of Hopes translational research and personalized treatment protocols advance care throughout the world. Human synthetic insulin, monoclonal antibodies and numerous breakthrough cancer drugs are based on technology developed at the institution. AccessHope, a subsidiary launched in 2019 serves employers and their health care partners by providing access to City of Hopes specialized cancer expertise. City of Hope is ranked among the nations Best Hospitals in cancer by U.S. News & World Report and received Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Its main campus is located near Los Angeles, with additional locations throughout Southern California and in Arizona.

Industry

Hospitals

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Duarte, CA, US

Year founded

1913

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