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Scientist- VIE Contract

• Location: United States of America, Waltham
• Target start date: 01/11/2026

iMove, the Sanofi VIE Program, is available to citizens of the European Economic Area (EU + Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland) aged between 18 and 28.

PLEASE NOTE that since this program is primarily an international development program, candidates cannot apply to a VIE assignment in their own country of citizenship.

PLEASE NOTE that applications that are only submitted in French cannot be considered by our non-French speaking partners at Sanofi worldwide. Therefore, only applications that are submitted in English will be considered. Please make sure to apply with your personal email address.

About the job

As Scientist VIE within our Virology Group within the Global Antigen Design (GAD) Function, you’ll contribute to the development of vaccine candidates from lead optimization to IND-enabling activities. The team promotes state-of-the-art scientific/technological competencies and resources to support projects, streamlined to customer needs. The mission is performed with respect to Health, Safety, Environment and Security (HSES) rules, in compliance with all other Sanofi policies and standards (Quality, Ethics, Integrity, Human Resources levers), and in accordance with the driving principles of the GAD organization (acceleration mindset, project centricity, customer centricity, harmonization of practices, flexibility, innovation capacity).

This assignment offers a young professional the opportunity to gain hands-on international experience in vaccine virology, working alongside experienced scientists and benefiting from a dedicated mentor throughout the assignment. 

The primary responsibilities of the Scientist, Virology will be to support new and ongoing vaccine projects by overseeing preclinical studies with the aim to identify lead vaccine candidates against clinically important viral pathogens. This position provides key contributions to the new vaccine (NV) research portfolio. VIE is an accomplished Virologist and recognized internal subject matter expert and may lead local scientific teams and/or sub-teams of wide impact and multidisciplinary scope. 

Join the team protecting half a billion lives every year with next-gen science, mRNA innovation, and AI-driven breakthroughs. In Vaccines, you’ll help advance prevention on a global scale - and shape the future of immunization.

Ready to get started?

About Sanofi

We’re an R&D-driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth. Our deep understanding of the immune system – and innovative pipeline – enables us to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world. Together, we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. 

Main responsibilities:

• Contribute to the innovative ways of thinking and cutting-edge technology to support next generation vaccines.
• Working as part of a team or independently, plan, design, and execute experiments within the scope of the Virology Platform, to meet the program objectives and demonstrate a willingness to implement new technologies and protocols to support the NV programs.
• Demonstrate technical proficiency, complex data analysis, and the ability to problem solve in a broad array of experimental protocols.
• Support efficient collaboration and alignment with other groups and functions to maximize value added.
• Support the team with identifying and setting up new technologies and/or equipment.
• Understand goals and identify own role in achieving them, meeting key deadlines that are set.
• Document all work appropriately in electronic lab notebooks and perform laboratory support activities such as maintaining equipment and ordering lab supplies.
• Work with contract research organizations (CROs) as needed.
• Comply with the company safety policies and HSE to minimize risk to self, others and the environment, consistent with HSE policies, community and industry standards.
• Identify and help to improve best practices in HSE operations.
• Document all work appropriately in appropriate electronic tools and perform laboratory support activities such as maintaining equipment and ordering lab supplies.

About you

Experience:

• At least 1-year full time relevant experience (internship, thesis, or academic research in virology/vaccinology considered), prior lab experience in an industry or academic setting is a plus.

Technical and soft skills:

• Foundational knowledge of and interest in developing Virological techniques: virus amplification, plaque assays, and neutralization assays.
• Exposure to Molecular Biology applications: PCR, cloning, RNA extraction, RT-PCR, sequencing analysis.
• Familiarity with mammalian protein expression platform and basic purification techniques.
• Knowledge to use agentic AI to analyse data from high-throughput system.
• Use of automation platforms and closed-loop learning cycles for candidate optimization.
• Willingness to learn and be trained on cross-functional assays and new methodologies.
• Familiarity with cell culture aseptic techniques.
• Exposure to automated or semi-automatic assay platforms is a plus.
• Familiarity with scientific software for data analytics and visualization is a plus (Geneious, SnapGene, Prism, Tableau, or Sequencher).
• Comfortable working in an agile, matrixed, international environment.
• Curiosity, entrepreneurial mindset, and eagerness to learn.
• Displays a high degree of integrity, decides and acts in the best interest of the Company.
• Good interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Resourcefulness: ability to find practical solutions to challenges.
• Motivated, results-oriented, and eager to contribute to challenging viral vaccine targets.

Education:

• Master’s Degree in Virology or related field.

Languages:

• Fluent English.

Why choose us?

• Be part of a pioneering biopharma company where patient insights shape drug development. 
• Work at the forefront of AI-powered science that accelerates discovery and improves outcomes. 
• Collaborate beyond your expertise, sparking new ideas with diverse, multidisciplinary teams. 
• Work at the forefront of AI-driven research, smart manufacturing, and groundbreaking mRNA platforms that are redefining the future of immunology.  
• Help protect half a billion people every year, contributing to one of the largest global vaccination efforts in healthcare. 
• Join a workplace where diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core, with Employee Resource Groups and leadership programs that celebrate every voice.

iMove is a unique program tailored for European youth interested in challenging themselves with meaningful assignments across the globe. At Sanofi we have a strong ambition to invest in young talents who will drive the success of Sanofi tomorrow.
Sanofi’s Work Abroad Program, iMove, offers jobs-assignments with actual responsibilities and a perspective to grow. We provide those opportunities in various functions such as: marketing, finance, regulatory, supply chain, clinical trials, production, etc. and in more than 40 countries. Sanofi unites people who are passionate about solving healthcare needs across the world. Joining our iMove Work Abroad Program is a unique opportunity to make a difference through your work.

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