PopVax is an Indian full-stack biotechnology company developing novel mRNA vaccines and therapeutics using computational protein design. Our first vaccine is a next-generation COVID-19 booster, which will enter a first-in-human Phase I clinical trial in the U.S. early this year. This vaccine is intended to broaden protection against both current and predicted future SARS-CoV-2 variants, reducing the possibility of a new mutation in the virus suddenly causing another massive wave of infection. We have a preclinical pipeline of 6 additional novel vaccine candidates built on our mRNA-LNP platform that we will be taking into clinical trials over the next few years. Our work to date has been funded primarily via project agreements totalling 10+ million USD with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Vitalik Buterin's public health & biosecurity organisation Balvi.

We work extensively on novel LNP formulations and other mechanisms for nucleic acid delivery, including the design and synthesis of novel charged lipids, and are hiring aggressively in this area. 

We are looking for a senior synthetic chemist with deep expertise in the design and synthesis of novel lipids, in particular cationic and ionizable lipids for nucleic acid delivery, to join our team. While, all things being equal, we prefer candidates who are willing to work in person at one of our wet labs in Hyderabad, we are willing to consider exceptionally-qualified candidates from anywhere in the world who wish to work remotely.

Viable candidates will have demonstrated competence in de novo lipid design for nucleic acid delivery applications. We expect the individual we hire to be able to independently generate a number of viable lipid designs for use in mRNA-LNP formulations targeting various desirable properties, including:

1. increased mRNA expression in vivo

2. increased thermostability

3. reduced reactogenicity and toxicity

4. targeted delivery to relevant tissues and cell types

The ideal candidate will also have experience working on high-througput in vitro screening of novel lipids and LNP formulations, along with strong experience with and understanding of how changes to lipid design manifest in vivo.

We offer very competitive compensation, comprehensive health insurance covering immediate family (including pre-existing conditions) [note: for Remote candidates, health insurance may vary based on country of residence], and, most importantly, a collaborative work environment focused on solving the cutting-edge multidisciplinary challenges of our novel mRNA platform.