Summer Intern - Nonclinical & Immunoassay

Join our Mission to Protect Humankind!

Vaxcyte is a clinical-stage vaccine innovation company engineering high-fidelity vaccines to protect humankind from the consequences of bacterial diseases, which have serious and costly health consequences when left unchecked. Working to eradicate or treat bacterial infections such as invasive pneumococcal disease, Group A Strep, periodontitis and Shigella is just the beginning. Our path to success is clear and well-defined, and Vaxcyte is set up to go the distance. 

WHAT we do is every bit as important as HOW we do it! Our work together is guided by four enduring core values:

*AIM HIGH: We embody our collectively audacious goal to courageously make the most complex biologics ever attempted to protect humankind.

*LEAD WITH HEART: Everyone leads at Vaxcyte with a kindness-first, inclusive approach to collaboration and vigorous debate that advances our business objectives.

*RETHINK CONVENTION: We bring creative and intellectual diversity to every facet of the work we do in order to innovate and re-innovate the way vaccines are delivered.

*MODEL EXCELLENCE:  The magnitude of our challenge requires our shared commitment to demonstrating integrity, accountability, equality and clarity across communications and decision making.

Summary:

Vaxcyte’s Summer Internship program offers students with an opportunity to gain valuable work experience that complements their college curriculum with relevant hands-on work that can shape their future career pathing and interests. 

As an Immunoassay Intern for Vaxcyte, you will be working on a project to develop a prototype immunogenicity assay on an MSD platform. This project will require developing a multiplex assay to measure the immune response to our VAX-A1 vaccine. We will utilize serum samples to build the assay and use commercially available sources of immunoglobulin as positive controls. Success for this project will be measured by comparing our results to data that is in the public domain or developed by our collaborators. As an Intern, interested in biotech and in vaccine development, understanding how to develop an immunogenicity assay is relevant as immunogenicity is the efficacy endpoint in vaccine clinical trials.  In addition to the above, the intern will:

· Help catalog the inventory of critical reagents required for this project by entering into Benchling.

· Learn how to develop a multiplex immunoassay and how to analyze immunogenicity data.

· Learn how antibodies interact with antigens.

· Learn how to troubleshoot assay conditions including antigen concentration, incubation duration, and use of a relevant standard.

· Learn about curve fitting, extrapolation of data from a standard curve, use of quality controls, stability of reagents and in general what is considered acceptable assay performance.

· Learn how to use Benchling and how to characterize critical reagents such as antigens and antibodies, pre and post conjugation.

Program Details:

Internship will begin in June and will be 8-10 weeks (6-8 hours per day) in duration at our San Carlos, California location. 

• Must be pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree (enrolled student with at least 1 year at university completed) with a focus on Biology or related subject.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Strong attention to detail and work quality.
• Demonstrates collaboration and teamwork. 
• Enthusiastic - Shows curiosity and is eager to learn.
• Dedicated.

Reports to: Scientist I, Nonclinical & Immunoassay

Location: San Carlos, CA

Salary Range: The expected salary range for this position is $20-$23 per hour. Actual pay will be determined based on year of university/college completed.  The Summer Internship position will not be eligible for benefits and relocation and housing will not be offered.

Vaxcyte, Inc.

825 Industrial Road, Suite 300

San Carlos, CA 94070

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.