PopVax is an Indian biotechnology company based in Hyderabad working at the frontier of translational biology. We are funded via research agreements with the Gates Foundation and Vitalik Buterin’s biosecurity company Balvi. For the past year, we have been building a novel second-generation mRNA platform for low-cost broadly-protective vaccines via computationally-driven antigen design, starting with an open-source booster vaccine candidate that is intended to protect against the entire sarbecovirus species and, if things go well, the betacoronavirus genus, including current and future strains of SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19. We are also beginning work on several other vaccine programs.

We are looking for exceptional junior scientists for our Hyderabad labs to confidently and correctly perform high volumes of bioassays, including ELISA and cell-based assays such as pseudovirus neutralization, on a daily basis.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor’s degree in any stream of life sciences is a requirement, with a master’s degree or 3+ years of relevant industry experience strongly preferred.

• At least six months experience performing bioassays such as ELISA, preferably in a 96-well plate format (or higher).

• At least six months of experience with mammalian cell culture and cell-based assays, the more the better, with specific experience in performing transfection and lentiviral transduction as well as pseudovirus neutralization experiments strongly preferred.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. The ability to present scientific findings clearly and concisely is a vital and non-negotiable component of success at PopVax.

• A collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively within a team environment.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a demonstrated track record of independently interpreting experimental data and troubleshooting technical challenges.

• A willingness to shoulder substantial and often repetitive assay workloads on a daily basis.

• A desire to rapidly learn, troubleshoot, and master new experimental techniques.

We offer very competitive compensation, comprehensive health insurance with the option to cover immediate family (including pre-existing conditions), and, most importantly, a collaborative work environment focused on solving the cutting-edge multidisciplinary challenges of our novel mRNA platform.