Senior Scientist

Launched in 2017, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is an international coalition of governments, academic, philanthropic, private, public, and intergovernmental institutions whose vision is to create a world in which epidemics and pandemics are no longer a threat to humanity. Our mission is to accelerate the development of vaccines and other biologic countermeasures against epidemic and pandemic threats so they can be accessible to all people in need. CEPI played a central role in the global response to COVID-19, creating the world's largest portfolio of COVID-19 vaccines – seven of which are approved for global or domestic use - and co-leading COVAX, the global initiative to support equitable access which supported the delivery of over 2bn vaccine doses globally. CEPI has contributed to a number of scientific breakthroughs in vaccine development against other infectious diseases, including the first ever licensed Chikungunya vaccine and the first Nipah and Lassa virus vaccines into Phase 1 trials.

As COVID-19 has demonstrated, emerging infectious diseases represent an existential threat to our way of life. COVID-19 is not the first pandemic of the 21st century, and unless we act now, we can be sure that it will not be the last. Unlike some of the other big threats that humanity faces, we have the tools to systematically reduce and even eliminate the risk of future pandemics. It is vital that we capitalise on the rare alignment of political will, practical experience, and technical and scientific progress emerging from the pandemic to prevent such devastation happening again. CEPI's five-year plan for 2022-2026 – known as CEPI 2.0 - aims to dramatically reduce or even eliminate the future risk of pandemics and epidemics. Central to the plan is CEPI's goal to accelerate the time taken to develop safe, effective, globally accessible vaccines against new threats to just 100 days. Achieving this '100 Days Mission', which has been embraced by the G7 and G20, would give the world a fighting chance of containing a future outbreak before it can spread to become a global pandemic, potentially averting millions of deaths and trillions of dollars in economic damage.

CEPI is a not-for-profit association under Norwegian Law and has offices in Oslo (HQ), London, and Washington DC.

In CEPI we strive for diverse thinking, and we want a diverse pool of candidates for all our vacancies. We work for an inclusive working environment where each employee can contribute and grow.

About the role

We seek a Senior Scientist to support CEPI laboratory partnerships by providing expert advice and guidance during the development and validation of immunoassays and/or diagnostic assays for testing vaccine candidates during pre-clinical trials, and for vaccine deployment. This is a one year fixed-term contract.

Responsibilities

• Assist the development and implementation of immunological assays, such as ELISA, virus neutralization assays, ELISPOT, flow cytometry, etc., within the CEPI laboratory networks.
• Serve as assay and technology transfer expert to support the CEPI laboratory networks.
• Support CEPI's ongoing vaccine development projects through offering preclinical expertise in vaccine discovery and development.
• As part of a matrixed team, assist other groups in the Diagnostics, Animal Model and Pre-Clinical space within the Department of Laboratory Research and Innovations with enabling sciences projects for CEPI priority pathogens or Disease X.
• Serve as expert and advisor for review of applications for CEPI funding through calls for proposals for laboratory partners and contribute to the due diligence process.

Education, Experience and Competence

• Essential: Advanced degree (PhD level) in Immunology or related disciplines (life science), with a minimum of 10 years post-graduate experience.
• The candidate must be experienced in development and validation of immunoassays for testing vaccine/therapeutic candidates during clinical trials (GLP/GMP and GCLP compliance) and pre-clinical phase.
• Additional experience in development and validation of diagnostic assays for case confirmation and RDTs is an advantage.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance and technology transfer is required.
• Experience in QC/QA data management and reporting and management of analytical testing is required.
• Experience with key reagents procurement for pre-clinical & clinical trial assays is required.
• Knowledge in high throughput multiplex assays platforms is desirable.
• Experience with BSL3/4 laboratory containment environment and/or toxicology testing is desirable.
• Experience working in collaborative R&D projects, preferably across sectors (academic, private sector, public and private funders).
• Demonstrable problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communications skills.
• High level of computer literacy.
• Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.

Travel and Location Requirements

• This position can be based in London, UK or Oslo, Norway.

What we can offer you

• Experience in the international effort on developing vaccines against emerging infectious diseases and accelerating vaccine development response to outbreaks.
• The opportunity to work together with leading internal and external experts on solutions for global challenges.
• A diverse and inclusive working environment.

Background verification will be conducted to verify information provided in the CV and available documentation for the successful candidate.

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.

CEPI will process the personal data collected for the purpose of managing your application during the recruitment process. You can contact CEPI by sending an email to jobs@cepi.net. The legal basis for processing is in relation to your application. You can access, rectify, delete, oppose, limit the processing or request the portability of your data by contacting jobs@cepi.net or contacting CEPI's Data Protection Officer via the following email address gdpr@cepi.net. Your data will be stored during the relationship and after termination of the same, for the limitation period for legal actions that could result from it.