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Senior Associate Scientist - Virus/Protein Production

Employer
Pfizer
Location
La Jolla, California
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Jun 28, 2021

View more

Discipline
Physical Sciences, Chemistry, Other, Manufacturing/QA/QC
Position Type
Full Time
Organization Type
All Industry, Pharma
ROLE SUMMARY

The Cancer Vaccines and Immunotherapeutic department within Pfizer's Oncology R&D organization is developing state-of-the-art immunotherapy regimens to benefit cancer patients, using a variety of vaccine technology platforms combined with immunomodulatory agents.

We are seeking a Virus/Protein Production and Purification Senior Associate Scientist to join the Bioprocess and Analytics team based in La Jolla, California, to develop and support virus/protein production processes at the research scale.

The successful candidate will have solid knowledge and experience in the production and purification of virus and therapeutic proteins. They will be able to independently and proactively apply this knowledge to the design and execution of experimental work, enabling progression of oncology discovery projects from preclinical to early development. The role will encompass both preclinical reagent supplies along with early bioprocess development for protein/virus manufacturing production processes.

The role will require work with BSL2 infectious viruses, including Vaccinia.

The candidate will be required to work with moderate supervision and, as a member of a team, be accountable for the critical appraisal of their results and present them for review, at specific project milestones. The role is laboratory based, and a major emphasis is placed upon laboratory training to increase the scope of practical abilities, as well as the theory behind such practical work.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Experimental/Laboratory & Related Work (under daily to weekly supervision) (80-90%):
  • Work with supervisor to define aim and a plan to achieve that aim, will then execute work following the plan (independently, if familiar with area of work, with guidance if unfamiliar).
  • Experimental design in consultation with supervisor, literature review, and increasing emphasis on independent design based on experience.
  • Will carry out on-going analysis of data generated and will identify problems. Will implement necessary changes following discussion with peers/ supervisor.
  • Will analyze and interpret experimental data, results and methodology used with guidance.
  • Will gain skills and experience to be fully conversant with the operation and validation of all items of equipment or IT needed for experimentation, data analysis, storage and data entry.
  • Be able to review literature and suggest/apply to technical solutions to bioprocess problems of moderate complexity
  • Will write-up laboratory notebooks regularly in compliance with Pfizer IP policy and GSP
  • Preparation of presentation materials.


Communication & Scope of Team Influence
  • Will have effective communication skills, both verbal and written; listens and understands well.
  • Will regularly communicate with supervisor and team scientists
  • Will regularly contribute and influence at the discipline and project team level as a team participant.


Safe working and regulatory compliance
  • Work safely themselves and be aware of EHS practices of other colleagues in all aspects of role, including handling of BSL2 infectious viruses.
  • Completion of risk assessments, compliance training as required
  • Acts independently to maintain a safe and EHS compliant desk and workspace


BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor's Degree in biological sciences or Biochemical/chemical engineering with 3+ years relevant laboratory experience or Master's Degree in biological sciences or Biochemical/chemical engineering with relevant laboratory experience.
  • Mammalian cell culture (suspension and adherent)
  • Protein/Virus production at bioreactor scale (Wave and Stirred tank)
  • Protein/Virus purification using chromatographic techniques - with experience using Unicorn based FPLC systems.
  • Tangential flow filtration
  • Dead-end filtration
  • Ultracentrifugation based purification
  • Experience in safe handling of BSL2 infectious viruses - e.g. Adenovirus & Vaccinia


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Protein/Virus characterization techniques
  • Production and purification of bispecific antibodies


PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Standard laboratory conditions - sitting, standing
  • Ability to lift up to 30 lbs
  • Working with BSL2 infectious viruses
  • Ability to perform mathematical calculations and complex data analysis


NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

  • Will be required to work with BSL2 infectious viruses (e.g. Vaccinia virus and adenovirus) and must receive and maintain required vaccinations or provide satisfactory proof of same


OTHER JOB DETAILS

  • Eligible for Employee Referral Bonus


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

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