Senior Scientist - Immunology, Vaccinology, Virology
Zoetis

States considered: Michigan

Role Description Scientist or Senior Scientist - Immunology, Vaccinology, Virology

Zoetis Veterinary Medicine Research and Development (VMRD), Swine Biologicals group in Kalamazoo, MI is seeking a senior scientist to work in a collaborative effort to further efforts in vaccine discovery and development to support introduction of novel products to the global swine industry. The successful candidate will be skilled in immunology, virology, and/or vaccinology. The individual will have demonstrated skills and expertise in the theory and practical application of hypothesis-based research and data interpretation. They will be hands-on in employing skills and experience in infectious disease and immunology to investigate and develop new methodologies to support the goals of vaccine development.

Position Summary

Zoetis is the largest animal health company in the world with an industry-leading research and development team. The VMRD, Swine Biologicals group conducts basic and applied research to support development of safe and effective vaccines for the global swine industry. We are recruiting a highly motivated senior scientist to investigate the porcine immune responses during infection as well as protection from infection/disease caused by major swine pathogens. This scientist may have a specific focus on applied immunology or virology (e.g. Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) virus and Porcine Circovirus (PCV)).

Position Responsibilities

The successful candidate will have knowledge and experience in immunology and infectious disease, especially as it relates to vaccine technologies or biotherapeutic design, vaccine antigen identification, immune and cell-based assays, hypothesis testing, and data interpretation. The individual will work independently as a scientist, and as a member of a cross-functional team, to develop research strategies and testable hypotheses, conducting basic and/or applied research to address unmet needs in swine vaccine development. They will be a key team member in progressing biologic product discovery and development in a timely and efficient manner.

The individual will review, interpret, and apply relevant literature applicable to the research goal. They will develop specific, testable hypotheses and contribute expertise to: identify neutralizing epitopes in swine pathogens, characterize the immune response post vaccination or pathogen exposure, understand immunological mechanisms of vaccine-induced protection, and understand mechanism of action of large molecule biotherapeutics in swine. They will develop ex vivo and in vitro assays to test, measure, and characterize immune responses which may include developing methods to isolate and characterize populations of porcine cells by physical and immunological methods. They will develop protocols for in vivo testing of experimental vaccines and therapeutics. The individual will contribute to development of vaccines and biotherapeutics applying current, state of the art, and novel techniques.

The individual will work independently and in a team across functional groups to obtain and deploy Zoetis expertise required to further the research goals. They will direct and mentor other scientists in developing laboratory skills, including immunological assays. The individual will prepare internal and external presentations and publications as appropriate to support team, organizational, and personal goals.

Preferred Experience

The successful candidate should have experience in conducting hypothesis-based research in both in vitro and in vivo models. Experience with swine or livestock in a clinical or research setting is preferred. Experience and research focus in immunology, virology, or vaccinology. Experience in animal model development, particularly in swine and/or livestock. Familiarity with vaccine discovery process and ability to proactively apply practical laboratory experience in a cross-functional team is a plus.

Expertise in cytokine assays, for example: ELISA, ELISpot, Luminex, MSD or other cytokine quantification assays. Knowledge and interest in flow cytometric methods including phenotyping immune cells and conducting functional assays. Experience in maintenance of and experimentation with primary cells and cell lines, including sterile cell culture techniques. Knowledge of vertebrate virology, including propagation in cell culture and titration from clinical samples using cell culture methods and molecular testing methods. Experience with protein purification and analysis, including immunoprecipitation, Western blotting, biotinylation and other protein labeling methods. Experience in the next-generation sequencing, including single cell and whole genome sequencing techniques.

Minimum Qualifications

PhD, DVM/PhD, or DVM/MS in immunology, vaccinology, or virology or closely related field, or DVM with relevant, independent research experience.

Full time

Regular

Colleague

Any unsolicited resumes sent to Zoetis from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Zoetis mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Zoetis employees, or to Zoetis resume database will be considered Zoetis property. Zoetis will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.

Zoetis will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search.

Zoetis is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status or any other protected classification. Disabled individuals are given an equal opportunity to use our online application system. We offer reasonable accommodations as an alternative if requested by an individual with a disability. Please contact Zoetis Colleague Services at zoetiscolleagueservices@zoetis.com to request an accommodation. Zoetis also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act. All applicants must possess or obtain authorization to work in the US for Zoetis. Zoetis retains sole and exclusive discretion to pursue sponsorship for the acquisition or maintenance of nonimmigrant status and employment eligibility, considering factors such as availability of qualified US workers. Individuals requiring sponsorship must disclose this fact. Please note that Zoetis seeks information related to job applications from candidates for jobs in the U.S. solely via the following: (1) our company website at www.Zoetis.com/careers site, or (2) via email to/from addresses using only the Zoetis domain of "@zoetis.com". In addition, Zoetis does not use Google Hangout for any recruitment related activities. Any solicitation or request for information related to job applications with Zoetis via any other means and/or utilizing email addresses with any other domain should be disregarded. In addition, Zoetis will never ask candidates to make any type of personal financial investment related to gaining employment with Zoetis.