Home Jobs (Sr)Research Scientist/Asst Project Manager (RNA Vaccines & Production of RNA)
Back to Jobs

(Sr)Research Scientist/Asst Project Manager (RNA Vaccines & Production of RNA) - Job Opportunity at CK Life Sciences Limited

Tai Po District, Hong Kong
Full-time
Senior
Posted: July 12, 2025
On-site
HKD 600,000 - 900,000 annually (USD 77,000 - 115,000) based on senior scientist roles in Hong Kong biotech sector, with potential for higher compensation given specialized RNA vaccine expertise and project management responsibilities

Benefits

Five-day work week providing enhanced work-life balance in an industry known for demanding schedules
Comprehensive retirement benefits ensuring long-term financial security in a competitive market
Full health insurance coverage reducing personal healthcare costs significantly
Dental insurance providing additional healthcare value often overlooked by smaller biotech companies
Life insurance offering family protection and financial peace of mind
Regular shuttle bus service eliminating commute stress and transportation costs
Competitive compensation package positioning candidates favorably in the Hong Kong biotech market

Key Responsibilities

Design and develop cutting-edge RNA vaccines including RNA and RNA-LNP production, positioning the company at the forefront of next-generation vaccine technology
Lead protein characterization initiatives using advanced analytical techniques (ELISA, SDS-PAGE, Western blot) and immunogenicity assessment in mouse models, directly contributing to drug development success
Drive recombinant protein production and purification processes essential for therapeutic development and commercialization
Orchestrate multi-disciplinary collaboration across preclinical research teams to accelerate bench-to-bedside translation of innovative therapies
Spearhead research program development and pipeline expansion for targeted therapeutics, directly impacting company revenue potential
Establish strategic partnerships with academic institutions in Hong Kong and internationally, enhancing the company's research network and capabilities
Manage complex CRO relationships across mainland China and overseas markets, ensuring project delivery and cost optimization
Provide scientific leadership and strategic vision to strengthen drug discovery effectiveness across the corporate group

Requirements

Education

MD, PhD, or Master degree in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, medical sciences, or related fields

Experience

Hands-on experience in preparing RNA and RNA-LNP is required

Required Skills

Hands-on experience in preparing RNA and RNA-LNP Experience in R&D in cancer immunotherapy and large molecule product development Hands-on experience in experimental mouse models Hands-on experience in recombinant protein production Self-starting and team-oriented characteristics with complex problem-solving ability and excellent influencing skills Good communication skills in English and Chinese Foreign work experience and/or experience collaborating with overseas partners Familiarity with drug development and associated pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical markets
Advertisement
Ad Space

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

RNA vaccine technology has experienced unprecedented growth following COVID-19 success, with the global RNA therapeutics market projected to reach $39.1 billion by 2030, creating substantial demand for specialized RNA vaccine scientists Cancer immunotherapy represents one of the fastest-growing pharmaceutical sectors, with CAR-T and other immunotherapies driving massive investment and requiring skilled professionals with RNA-LNP expertise Lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology has become critical for RNA delivery systems, making professionals with RNA-LNP experience highly sought after across pharmaceutical and biotech companies globally The Asia-Pacific region, particularly Hong Kong and mainland China, is emerging as a major hub for biopharmaceutical development, with increased government support and venture capital investment driving job creation

Role Significance

Likely managing 2-4 junior scientists or research associates while collaborating across multidisciplinary teams of 10-15 members in preclinical development
Senior individual contributor with emerging leadership responsibilities, bridging technical execution and strategic project management, typical of roles preparing candidates for director-level positions

Key Projects

Lead optimization of RNA vaccine candidates for cancer immunotherapy applications Oversee technology transfer projects with contract research organizations Manage investigational new drug (IND) enabling studies for RNA therapeutics Coordinate international collaborative research initiatives with academic partners

Success Factors

Deep technical expertise in RNA vaccine technology combined with strong project management capabilities to navigate complex drug development timelines and regulatory requirements Proven ability to work effectively across cultural and linguistic boundaries, essential for managing CRO relationships in mainland China and international collaborations Strategic thinking to identify and prioritize high-value research opportunities that can advance from preclinical to clinical stages efficiently Strong leadership and mentoring skills to guide junior team members while maintaining hands-on technical contributions

Market Demand

Very high demand due to specialized RNA vaccine expertise coinciding with explosive growth in RNA therapeutics market and limited talent pool with hands-on RNA-LNP experience

Important Skills

Critical Skills

RNA-LNP preparation expertise is absolutely essential as this represents the core technology platform for next-generation vaccines and therapeutics, with very limited talent pool possessing hands-on experience Mouse model experience is critical for immunogenicity assessment and represents a regulatory requirement for advancing RNA vaccines toward clinical trials Bilingual communication skills in English and Chinese are essential for managing CRO relationships and academic collaborations across Hong Kong, mainland China, and international markets

Beneficial Skills

Cancer immunotherapy experience positions candidates for higher-value oncology programs where RNA vaccines show particular promise Foreign work experience demonstrates adaptability and international perspective valuable for managing global partnerships and regulatory requirements Recombinant protein production skills complement RNA vaccine expertise and provide flexibility across multiple product development programs

Unique Aspects

Combination of hands-on research responsibilities with project management duties offers accelerated leadership development opportunities rare in traditional research roles
Direct involvement in both RNA vaccine development and recombinant protein production provides comprehensive biotechnology skillset valuable across multiple therapeutic modalities
Opportunity to establish academic partnerships and manage international CRO relationships develops business development skills essential for senior biotech roles
Access to established corporate infrastructure and resources while working on cutting-edge RNA therapeutics technology

Career Growth

3-5 years to director level with demonstrated success in advancing candidates to clinical trials and strong track record of team leadership

Potential Next Roles

Senior Project Manager or Program Director overseeing multiple drug development programs Director of Research and Development with responsibility for entire preclinical pipeline Business Development Director focusing on partnership and licensing opportunities Chief Scientific Officer at emerging biotech companies

Company Overview

CK Life Sciences Limited

CK Life Sciences Limited is a subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings, one of Asia's largest conglomerates, providing significant financial backing and strategic resources for biopharmaceutical development across multiple therapeutic areas including oncology and pain management

Well-positioned mid-tier biopharmaceutical company with strong financial foundation and established presence in Hong Kong market, offering stability and growth potential typically associated with larger pharmaceutical organizations
Strategic location in Hong Kong provides access to both Asian markets and international partnerships, with established connections to mainland China's rapidly growing biotechnology sector
Professional corporate environment with emphasis on scientific excellence and international collaboration, offering structured career development within a financially stable organization
Advertisement
Ad Space
Apply Now

Data Sources & Analysis Information

Job Listings Data

The job listings displayed on this platform are sourced through BrightData's comprehensive API, ensuring up-to-date and accurate job market information.

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Our advanced AI system analyzes each job listing to provide valuable insights including:

  • Industry trends and market dynamics
  • Salary estimates and market demand analysis
  • Role significance and career growth potential
  • Critical success factors and key skills
  • Unique aspects of each position

This integration of reliable job data with AI-powered analysis helps provide you with comprehensive insights for making informed career decisions.