Skip to main content

This job has expired

Senior Scientist, DNA-Encoded Libraries and In Vitro Pharmacology

Employer
Pfizer
Location
Groton, Connecticut
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
May 19, 2021

View more

The Primary Pharmacology Group at our Groton campus is composed of ~50 scientists that support hit identification and lead optimization activities for small molecule drug discovery programs through the design, development, and execution of in vitro plate-based screening assays. Therapeutic areas supported by the group include Inflammation and Immunology, Cardiovascular/Metabolic, Rare Diseases, Oncology and our Centers for Therapeutic Innovation. We typically drive small molecule programs from initiation through clinical candidate selection.

The candidate will join a high throughput biology lab that, in addition to delivering core Pharmacology, is also applying cutting-edge DNA-Encoded Library (DEL) technology to discover starting points for small molecule projects. As a primary responsibility in this lab-based role, you will collaboratively partner with project teams to design & deliver hit identification efforts with DEL. Concurrent with this drug discovery work, you will also gain experience along the entire pharmaceutical project lifetime and use plate-based pharmacology techniques to effect impact on later-stage programs that are developing clinical assets.

To be successful in this role, you must be excited by new technology, thrive in an autonomous setting, and be invigorated in a team-based scientific environment working with multiple partners.You will regularly be challenged to expand the boundaries of your knowledge in different disciplines, grow your skills and share learnings as we, together, advance Pfizer's DEL capabilities. You will be expected to leverage strong collaborative, written and verbal communication skills; and be adept at building partnerships.As such, in addition to technical skills, you should demonstrate a personal drive, leadership skills, flexibility/resiliency, and a good sense of humor.

At Pfizer, we believe in helping people lead healthier lives - from our customers to our colleagues. We offer a wide array of programs and plans that give our colleagues the flexibility and tools they need to get and stay healthy, both physically and financially. These include competitive compensation, generous medical, vacation and retirement benefits plus additional programs. The Assay Development and Pharmacology group offers a collegial and supportive environment for colleagues, with a culture encouraging openness, innovation and ownership of our science. We aim to provide scientific and growth opportunities for personal and career development commensurate with a colleague's goals and experience.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
  • This candidate will build and deliver a portfolio of hit discovery projects using DEL by applying fundamental techniques in biochemistry and cell biology to accomplish target validation for DEL, execute screening campaigns and partner with the colleagues in other departments to collect and analyze NGS datasets
  • As a senior member of the group, this scientist will apply cutting-edge technologies to effect portfolio advancement and is expected to have a drive for both personal growth and to provide mentorship to junior colleagues within the team
  • This scientist will participate in designing in vitro pharmacology strategies for projects. They will design, optimize, and perform in vitro assays to drive lead identification and SAR using a combination of biochemical, target-based, and physiologically relevant assay systems. They will carry out data analysis as well as review and interpret this data for project teams
  • This scientist will work with an interdisciplinary team of Research Unit biologists, medicinal chemists, structural biologists and biophysicists, as well as external partners to deliver on the portfolio
  • This scientist will contribute to the culture of the lab and department, participate on committees and engage in community outreach activities as appropriate


BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
  • Ph.D. or equivalent with 2+ years' experience relevant to drug discovery in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, and/or pharmacology OR MS with 10+ years of relevant industry experience
  • Demonstrated experience with several in vitro assay technologies, including troubleshooting (examples: LC-MS, HPLC, FRET, FACS, FP, ELISA, high content imaging, FLIPR, radioligand binding, etc.)
  • Practical experience with gel-based techniques, cell culture, laboratory automation, and data analysis systems
  • A commitment to timely delivery and quality of the work product, overcoming obstacles in a fast-paced environment and a continuous improvement mind-set
  • Demonstration of excellent computer, verbal and written communication skills


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Hands-on molecular biology experience (PCR), familiarity with qPCR and Next Gen Sequencing is a plus.
  • Previous experience in multiple target classes in a drug discovery setting (e.g. GPCRs, transporters, kinases, ion channels)
  • Knowledge of associated disciplines such as protein chemistry, bioanalytical chemistry, molecular and cellular biology, biophysical techniques and chemistry
  • Demonstrated ability to forge strong collaborative relationships inside and outside organizational walls and across multiple cultures: academic, industrial, and CROs
  • A comfort with script-based data analysis and handling large datasets on platforms beyond Microsoft Excel
  • Operational knowledge of DEL platforms or HPLC and LC-MS instrumentation is a plus


PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Sitting, standing, lifting, bending, and walking. Ability to perform practical laboratory bench work and work on a computer (while standing or sitting).
  • Ability to perform mathematical calculations and interpret data.


NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS
  • Candidate may periodically be asked to travel to the Pfizer Cambridge, MA and Pearl River, NY sites to meet project team members (2-4 times per year).
  • Candidate must comply with laboratory safety practices and wear personal protection as required.


Additional Job Information:
  • Relocation support available
  • Eligible for employee referral bonus


#LI-PFE

Sunshine Act

Pfizer reports payments and other transfers of value to health care providers as required by federal and state transparency laws and implementing regulations. These laws and regulations require Pfizer to provide government agencies with information such as a health care provider's name, address and the type of payments or other value received, generally for public disclosure. Subject to further legal review and statutory or regulatory clarification, which Pfizer intends to pursue, reimbursement of recruiting expenses for licensed physicians may constitute a reportable transfer of value under the federal transparency law commonly known as the Sunshine Act. Therefore, if you are a licensed physician who incurs recruiting expenses as a result of interviewing with Pfizer that we pay or reimburse, your name, address and the amount of payments made currently will be reported to the government. If you have questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your Talent Acquisition representative.

EEO & Employment Eligibility

Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Pfizer is an E-Verify employer.

Research and Development

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert