AMD Senior Scientist | Biovac

• BIOVAC is one of the leading sterile vaccine manufacturers rooted in Africa, with our core purpose being to “protect life”. We are looking to hire a dynamic, passionate, confident, proactive and meticulous AMD Senior Scientist to join a goal-oriented team.

QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED:

Required:

• PhD or MSc with at least 1-2 years experience in relevant discipline

Experience needed to deliver the role seamlessly:

• 2 years experience in vaccine / biotech / pharmaceutical industry or equivalent would be advantageous.
• 1 year supervisory experience in product development or a cGMP environment.
• Exposure and understanding of scientific principles that governs production of vaccines and /or biologicals.
• Quality & regulatory compliance knowledge, i.e. SAPHRA and WHO.
• GDP and IP management knowledge preferable.
• Experience in technology transfer would be advantageous.
• Knowledge of cGMP (SA, PIC, WHO) and GLP guidelines.
• Experience in having faced successfully local quality audits would be an advantage.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ROLE:

Core Technical Delivery:

• Laboratory Administration including Budgeting and Cost Control (Assists with group/ unit budgeting, follows a cost-conscious culture within own department/ group/ unit)
• Ensure services are delivered to all internal and/ or external stakeholders as defined and as per agreed timelines.
• Risk and Anticipation Mitigation to ensure that all work done is in accordance with current standards/processes and assist Senior Scientist/Scientist o identify anticipated risks impacting group/ unit/ team.
• Follow cGMP guidelines and ensure all Change Controls/ NCRs etc. are effectively managed to support QAs processes.
• Mitigate obvious risks on site and submit job cards to address facility issues/ risks as per the process set by Engineering.
• Close all actions assigned to self/ staff member as per EHS committee agreed deadlines.
• Responsible for providing assistance, guidance, problem solving or input to the operational departments as required and agreed.
• Responsible and accountable for the generation of applicable documentation in accordance with current scientific, GMP and GDP guidelines.
• Responsible for biological product and process development, which could include upstream (cultivation) and down- stream processes (purification) and analytical method development (microbial, immunological, chemical).
• Responsible for experimental design, planning, execution, problem solving and recording.
• Accountable for specified deliverables within projects according to agreed timelines.
• Assist with technology transfers from development to manufacturing (including manufacture of material to be used in clinical trials).
• Responsible and accountable for the generation of applicable documentation in accordance with current scientific, GMP and GDP guidelines.
• Driving Innovation and Continuous Improvement
• Driving Quality Risk Management
• Managing Deviations, Change Controls, CAPAs
• Quality Objectives: Drive the quality objectives.
• Communication:
• Ensure a timely and effective communication.
• Escalate quality issues to the appropriate levels of management.

People Management

• Align departmental focus areas and outputs to the business objectives.
• Conduct business, cross functional and departmental planning and execute activities within own scope of accountability.
• Adequate capacity planning and performance delivery in line with strategic, tactical, and operational plans
• Role profiling, goal setting and performance management of managers and staff within the department.
• Develop and implement a knowledge management infrastructure within the department to ensure Intellectual Property is effectively maintained.
• Growth, succession & retention of departmental talent.
• Accountability for own and team’s personal and professional learning & development to ensure technical and leadership bench strength within the department.
• Ensure accurate and documented delegation of ongoing operational activities in the event of key staff members absence in line with the related policies and SOPs.
• Conduct effective employee relations in accordance with labour legislation, company policies and procedures and address any performance and conduct concerns and risks timeously.
• Ensure that Occupational and other risks related to roles within the department are defined and mitigated.

Application Deadline: 15 January 2026