Scientist 3 - Immunology

Acambis is a leading vaccine company developing novel vaccines that address significant unmet medical needs or substantially improve standards of care. ChimeriVax™-JE, Acambis’ most advanced product in its development-stage pipeline, has to date shown an excellent safety and efficacy profile following pivotal Phase 3 trials. It is currently undergoing paediatric trials in the endemic region and is partnered with Sanofi Pasteur. Acambis’ proprietary ChimeriVax™ technology, developed in association with St Louis University, has also been used to develop ChimeriVax™-West Nile, which is undergoing Phase 2 clinical testing, making it the most advanced investigational vaccine against the West Nile virus. Acambis has established a global collaboration with Sanofi Pasteur for further development and commercialisation of the vaccine. ChimeriVax™ has also been applied to development of Sanofi Pasteur’s tetravalent dengue vaccine, which has successfully demonstrated proof-of-concept in a Phase 2 trial by generating 100% seroconversion to all four dengue virus serotypes.

 

Acambis’ ACAM-CDIFF™ is the only vaccine in development against Clostridium difficile bacteria, a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections. C. difficile is estimated to cause at least 360,000 cases of C. difficile-associated disease in the US alone, and annual costs to US and European healthcare systems are estimated to be in excess of $7bn a year. Acambis’ influenza programme aims to develop a universal vaccine against influenza, for which a universal ‘A’ strain vaccine, ACAM-FLU-A™, was recently tested in a Phase 1 trial and pre-clinical challenge study. Acambis is currently undertaking pre-clinical testing of a vaccine candidate, dl5-29, against genital herpes.

 

Acambis is recognised internationally as the leading producer of smallpox vaccines for emergency-use stockpiles held by the US Government and several other governments around the world. Acambis developed its ACAM2000â„¢ smallpox vaccine under contracts with the US Government.

 

Acambis is based in Cambridge, UK and Cambridge, Massachusetts, US, and is listed on the London Stock Exchange (ACM). More information is available at www.acambis.com.

 

The Immunology Department is looking for an individual who will be responsible for designing and conducting pre-clinical and clinical immunology studies evaluating the immune response to vaccines against viral and bacterial infection.

It is expected that he/she be an in house technical specialist and source of information in the areas of Immunology, Human Immune Response to Infection and Immunoassay Development.

 

 Job Responsibilities:Designs and conducts experimental procedures aimed at characterizing the immune response elicited by vaccine candidates in both animals and humans. Develops and performs immunoassays for assessment of i) antibody responses and  the evaluation of  antibody functional activity (ELISA, ELISPOT, ADCC, Ig-ASC, TEER and neutralization assays) and ii) cellular immune responses (cell proliferation, cell cytotoxicity,  cytokine secretion, ELISPOT, T-cell cloning) Develops and performs experiments using cell separation techniques, flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy and multiplex analysis to characterise individual cell populations and understand their role in protecting vaccinated animals and humans from infection. Develops new methodologies, protocols and SOPs for evaluating the immune response of vaccinees during clinical trials. Conducts assays and supervises others in performing assays in accordance with SOPs and, if required, to GLP standard. Designs and performs in vivo experimental procedures aimed at investigating immune responses to vaccine candidates.Designs and performs experimental procedures to a consistently high standard and in accordance with SOPs.Conducts research in support of multiple vaccine development programs. Ensures the accurate entry and maintenance of experimental data in notebooks and computer files in compliance with established procedures and SOPs. Analyses and interprets own experimental observations. Uses a variety of scientific software packages to prepare data for written and verbal presentation to line manager and project team. Writes technical reports, scientific manuscripts and contributes to preparation of CSR and documentation for Regulatory filings.Works effectively as part of a multidisciplinary project team. Puts in the necessary effort to help the team achieve objectives and to keep the team to deadlines. Advises team on issues related to area of expertise. Feeds back information acquired from external sources to team. Takes on line management responsibility for Research Assistant(s) if appropriate.

 

 

The right individual needs to have demonstrated ability to achieve results acquired from having completed a Ph.D. in a relevant subject and a minimum of five years’ post-doctoral experience. He/She must have experience performing cell-based immunoassays for clinical trials; have expert knowledge of scientific principles and concepts in the areas of Immunology and Microbiology. An independent, creative and skillful scientist with highly developed analytical skills as well as organizational skills is desired. Precise and careful approach to documentation procedures and experimental observations as well as use of instruments such as Spectrophotometers, Luminometers, Flow cytometers, Multiplex analyzers and Fluorescence microscopes are a plus.

 

 

CONTACT INFO:

 

Human Resources

Acambis Inc.

38 Sidney Street

Cambridge, MA  02139

E-mail:  careers@acambis.com

Interested applicants must apply on-line attaching a word document to your email submission

 

Acambis Inc. provides a competitive salary and a full range of benefits.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to promoting a culturally diverse workplace.