Vacancy reference VAC-0432
Job title CMC Lead
Department Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls
Location Oslo / London / Washington DC
Close date 2/22/2026
Job description
About CEPI
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.
More details about CEPI and our mission can be found on our website: www.cepi.net
About the role
The purpose of the role is to ensure that CEPI provides effective support to developers throughout the development of their vaccines and act as the CMC expert to progress and accomplish CEPI’s mission. By transforming innovative science into valued new vaccines and ensuring that people around the world can access these vaccines, you influence the lives of many people.
In line with CEPI 3.0 - 2027- 2031 strategy- leveraging AI, this position is expected to guide the design, the construction and deployment of a CMC AI Engine to facilitate and accelerate access to CMC knowledge for development and manufacturing of vaccines.
Responsibilities
Act as CMC Lead in vaccine development projects and other cross-functional teams, (e.g., viral family and Platform teams).
Represent the CMC department at the meetings of CEPI governance committees.
Provide CMC advice and guidance to CEPI awardees in all development phases including preparation of CTM documentation.
Evaluate CMC development according to CEPI’s CMC framework, with project-specific CMC roadmaps that embed Line-of-Sight for future (commercial) supply from LMIC sites in a phase-optimized manner.
Contribute to publish calls-for-proposal and perform due diligence for vetting.
Act as the business owner for the design and implementation of the AI CMC engine in collaboration with stakeholders internal or external to CEPI (developers, digital teams).
Gather and disseminate new CMC innovations and new guidance documents.
Develop partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders.
Education, Experience and Competence
Degree in Bioengineering, Pharmacist or equivalent (advanced degree preferred).
Minimum 5 years of experience in a CMC role in pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries, not-for-profit organisation.
Experience in leading CMC/process or analytical development projects.
Strong knowledge of biological process unit operations and control strategies, preferably on multiple modalities (RNA, viral vectors, or subunit vaccine manufacturing and analysis).
Understanding of vaccine development processes and strategies for development programmes, including best practices in tech transfer.
Familiarity with digital innovation: ability to structure CMC use cases for AI tool development.
Ability for critical interpretation of complex technical and scientific outcome of AI tools.
Knowledge of CMC regulatory guidance and required documentation.
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
Leadership skills, with the ability to build trust with internal and external partners and work in a matrix way in an international environment.
Strong interpersonal skills, team player, able to work in different cultural environments, to negotiate timelines and develop effective international collaboration.
Travel and Location Requirements
This role can be based in London (UK), Oslo (Norway) or Washington DC (US)
Expected international travel up to 30%
What we can offer you
The opportunity to work together with leading experts on solutions for global challenges
Experience in the international effort on developing vaccines against emerging infectious diseases and accelerating vaccine development response to outbreaks
A diverse and inclusive working environment
Background verification will be conducted to verify information provided in the CV and available documentation.
Apply at https://cepi.my.salesforce-sites.com/careers/xcdrecruit__PositionDetails?id=a43P300000BxYXCIA3