Vaccines Development & Manufacturing Expert

About Microhaem Scientifics and Medical Supplies Limited

Microhaem Scientifics and Medical Supplies Limited (MHS) is Uganda's first indigenous IVD manufacturer (est. 2012) based at Plot 16 A-C Martyrs Way, Ntinda, Kampala — home to Africa's first 4th Generation IVD Manufacturing Plant. MHS manufactures high-grade Point-of-Care and Molecular diagnostics (HIV 1/2 - Kwiq Test, Malaria Pf - Pf-Xpat, Sickle Cell - Microscreen) under GMP and ISO 13485 certified systems. Through its Vaccines Access Initiative (VAI) established in 2022, MHS is expanding into vaccines development and manufacturing to ensure safe, effective, high-quality and commercially viable vaccines in compliance with GMP and international regulatory standards. The Vaccines Development & Manufacturing Expert will be central to this mission, leading R&D, scale-up, technology transfer and GMP production. MHS Vision: To protect and improve the quality of people's lives through innovation, manufacture and supply of high quality medical products. Mission: To make patients' lives better by applying the latest technology to increase equitable access. Values: customer-focused operations, quality through compliance and best practices, integrity and ethical behaviour, teamwork and performance-driven culture. More: https://microhaem.co.ug/about

Job Details

• Position: Vaccines Development & Manufacturing Expert (Ref 02)
• Company: Microhaem Scientifics and Medical Supplies Limited
• Department: Vaccines Access Initiative (VAI)
• Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vaccines Access Initiative (VAI)
• Type of Contract: Fixed Term, Full-time
• Employment Type: full_time
• Industry: Healthcare
• Work Hours: 8 hours
• Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
• Location: Kampala, Uganda - Plot 16 A-C Martyrs Way, Ntinda, P.O. Box 73496, Kampala, Uganda
• Salary: Not Disclosed
• Date Posted: Tuesday, September 1, 2026
• Job Purpose: To lead and support the development, scale-up, technology transfer, and manufacturing of vaccines and biologics by applying advanced scientific, technical, and regulatory expertise to ensure safe, effective, high-quality, and commercially viable vaccine production processes in compliance with GMP and international regulatory standards.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Vaccine Research, Development and Product Innovation
  • Lead and support vaccine research and development activities from concept through product
  • Design, evaluate and optimize vaccine formulations, production processes and manufacturing protocols
  • Identify and assess emerging vaccine technologies, platform innovations and manufacturing approaches for adoption
  • Contribute to product development strategies, feasibility studies and technology assessments
• Process Development and Manufacturing Scale-Up
  • Develop and optimize upstream and downstream bioprocesses for vaccine production
  • Lead process scale-up activities from laboratory and pilot-scale operations to commercial scale
  • Establish robust, reproducible and cost-effective manufacturing processes
  • Monitor process performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity and yield
• Technology Transfer and Manufacturing Readiness
  • Lead the transfer of vaccine technologies from R&D into manufacturing
  • Prepare and execute technology transfer protocols and reports
  • Support facility readiness, equipment qualification and operational preparedness for vaccine production
  • Collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure successful implementation of transferred technologies
• Oversight of Vaccine Manufacturing Operations
  • Provide technical oversight and guidance for vaccine production operations
  • Support production planning, execution and troubleshooting of manufacturing processes
  • Ensure adherence to approved manufacturing procedures, specifications and production records
  • Monitor critical process parameters and recommend corrective actions where required
• Quality Assurance, Validation and Regulatory Compliance
  • Ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Documentation Practices (GDP) and applicable regulatory requirements
  • Develop and review validation protocols, reports and qualification documents
  • Support process validation, cleaning validation, equipment qualification and method validation
  • Participate in internal and external audits, inspections and regulatory audits
• Analytical Testing and Quality Control Support
  • Support development and implementation of analytical methods for vaccine characterization
  • Interpret analytical test results and provide scientific guidance
  • Work closely with Quality Control and Quality Assurance teams to investigate deviations and quality events
  • Ensure product safety, potency, purity and consistency through scientifically sound quality systems
• Risk Management and Continuous Improvement
  • Identify technical and operational risks affecting vaccine development and manufacturing
  • Lead root cause investigations and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)
  • Promote process optimization, cost reduction and operational excellence
  • Drive continuous improvement programs to enhance manufacturing efficiency and product quality
• Regulatory and Technical Documentation
  • Prepare, review and maintain technical reports, manufacturing records, protocols, SOPs and regulatory documentation
  • Contribute to the preparation of dossiers for regulatory approvals and product registration
  • Ensure integrity, accuracy and traceability of manufacturing and development data
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with Research & Development, Production, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Regulatory Affairs and Engineering teams
  • Provide technical guidance during project planning and execution
  • Liaise with external consultants, academic institutions, technology providers and regulatory authorities as required
• Capacity Building and Technical Leadership
  • Mentor, train and develop technical staff involved in vaccine development and manufacturing
  • Build institutional capacity in vaccine production technologies and GMP-compliant operations
  • Provide expert technical advice to management on vaccine manufacturing strategy, investments and capability development
  • Support the establishment of sustainable vaccine manufacturing capacity in Uganda and across Africa
• Upstream Processing Expertise Required
  • Strain/Cell Line Selection & Engineering: choosing, modifying, and banking viral strains, bacterial cells, or mammalian/yeast expression systems
  • Bioreactor Operation: managing microbial or cell culture growth parameters (pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and nutrient feed) to maximize yield
  • Inactivation & Attenuation: applying chemical or physical methods to safely weaken or kill pathogens without destroying their immunogenicity
• Downstream Processing Expertise Required
  • Purification & Isolation: utilizing chromatography, ultrafiltration, and tangential flow filtration (TFF) to separate the target antigen from cellular impurities
  • Formulation & Stabilization: combining antigens with adjuvants, buffers, and stabilizers to ensure product efficacy and extended shelf-life under cold-chain conditions
  • Aseptic Filling & Packaging: operating specialized barrier-isolator filling lines and packaging units under sterile conditions to prevent contamination
• Quality Assurance & Control (QA/QC) Expertise
  • Analytical Characterization: performing potency assays, quantitative PCR (qPCR), and immunogenicity tests to verify product safety and batch consistency
  • Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP): strict adherence to regulatory standards governing facility design, documentation, and cleanroom operations
  • Data Integrity & Computerized Validation: managing electronic quality management systems (eQMS) and ensuring manufacturing data integrity
• Process Development & Regulatory Compliance Expertise
  • Technology Transfer: scaling up bench-scale processes to commercial industrial suites while maintaining reproducibility
  • Quality-by-Design (QbD): implementing risk management frameworks to design processes that consistently meet predefined product quality
  • Regulatory Navigation: preparing documentation for clinical trial approvals, lot release criteria, and compliance audits by stringent health authorities

Qualifications, Skills and Requirements

• Education:
  • Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB)
  • Master's degree, PhD or equivalent advanced qualification in Vaccinology, Biotechnology, Virology, Immunology, Microbiology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Bioprocess Engineering or a related field
  • Level of Education: postgraduate degree
• Experience:
  • Demonstrated industry experience in vaccine development, production or manufacturing
  • Experience in Months: 12 months (minimum 12 months stated)
  • Strong understanding of GMP-regulated vaccine or biologics manufacturing
• Required Expertise:
  • Strong vaccine R&D and Product Development
  • Vaccine Manufacturing & Production
  • Upstream & Downstream Bioprocessing
  • Process Development, Optimization & Scale-Up
  • Technology Transfer
  • Formulation, Filling & Aseptic Processing
  • GMP & Quality Systems
  • Process Validation & Qualification
  • Manufacturing Readiness & Facility Operations
  • Vaccine & Biologics Regulatory Requirements
  • Risk Management, CAPA, Continuous Improvement
  • Analytical Testing, qPCR, Potency Assays, QbD
• Other Requirements:
  • Strong scientific and technical leadership, ability to mentor staff and build institutional capacity
  • Excellent documentation, SOP and dossier preparation skills
  • Ability to work cross-functionally and liaise with external partners and regulators

Application Procedure

• Prepare a detailed and up-to-date CV
• Attach certified copies of academic transcripts and certificates and any other supporting documents
• Include daytime telephone contacts and addresses of two referees (including the current employer, where applicable)
• Combine all documents into a single file in Portable Document Format (PDF)
• Address application to: The Director Human Resource, Microhaem Scientifics and Medical Supplies Limited, Plot 16 A-C Martyrs Way, Ntinda, P.O. Box 73496, Kampala, Uganda
• Send by email to: recruitment@microhaem.co.ug
• Use email subject: Application: Vaccines Development & Manufacturing Expert
• Note: Physical applications will not be accepted. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
• Submit by the deadline below (5:00 pm). Original listing shows Thursday, September 10, 2026 and detailed advert shows Friday, September 18, 2026 — observe the earlier date to be safe.

Job Summary

• Job Category: Science & Engineering, Manufacturing & Warehouse, Engineering (Healthcare) — Engineering jobs in Uganda
• Job Type: Full-time, Fixed Term (8 Work Hours)
• Deadline of this Job: Friday, September 18, 2026 by 5:00 pm (also listed as Thursday, September 10, 2026)
• Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda (Plot 16 A-C Martyrs Way, Ntinda)
• Date Posted: Tuesday, September 1, 2026
• No of Jobs: 1 (advert reference reads Vaccines Development & Manufacturing Expert (02))
• Application Link / Email: recruitment@microhaem.co.ug (subject: Application: Vaccines Development & Manufacturing Expert) — Physical applications not accepted
• Location pin: Plot 16 A-C Martyrs Way, Ntinda, Kampala, Uganda (P.O. Box 73496, Kampala, Uganda) | Website: https://microhaem.co.ug | Phone: +256 393 246 401 / +256 709748729 | Info: info@microhaem.co.ug