Senior Associate Scientist, In Vitro Cell Biology (non-PhD)

What You Will Achieve

The Cancer Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics (CVIT) department within Oncology Research and Development seeks to discover novel therapeutic treatments for cancer, including state-of-the-art cancer vaccines, oncolytic viruses, and immunotherapeutic antibodies. We are seeking a Senior Associate Scientist at the BS/MS level to join the CVIT Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) team in La Jolla, CA. As a member of a diverse multi-disciplinary team, the incumbent will provide critical cell biology support to advance novel cancer therapeutics from discovery through pre-clinical studies and into the clinic.The Senior Associate Scientist will utilize established techniques under moderate supervision to assist in the characterization of immune cell engaging antibodies (bispecifics, trispecifics) and other novel cancer therapeutics.

The successful candidate will be highly self-motivated, organized, detail-oriented, communicative, and collaborate effectively with colleagues within and outside the MCB team. The ideal candidate must have hands on experience with aseptic techniques, mammalian cell culture and plate/cell-based assays. Experiences with BSL2 infectious viruses are desirable as the candidate may work with recombinant viral vectors such as vaccinia virus, lentivirus, and adenovirus. A major emphasis is placed upon laboratory cross-training to increase the scope of practical scientific abilities, as well as the theory behind such practical work.

How You Will Achieve It

Key responsibilities are ~90% laboratory based and include, with moderate supervision:

• Culturing and plating of mammalian cell lines (adherent and/or suspension) with proper aseptic techniques
  
• Conducting a variety of in vitro assays (e.g., cellular reporter assays, cytotoxicity assays) to support characterization of immunotherapeutics
  
• Performing PBMC and/or T-cell isolation
  
• Independently designing, executing, and troubleshooting laboratory experiments with rigorous documentation in electronic lab notebooks
  
• Analyzing, summarizing, and presenting data to work groups and project teams
  
• Strictly adhering to established environmental health and safety guidelines, including possible work with BSL2 viruses
  

Qualifications

Must-Have

• B.Sc. or M.Sc. Degree in life sciences, preferably in molecular and cellular biology or related field
  
• At least 3 years (B.Sc.) or 1-3 years (M.Sc.) experience working in an academic or preferably industrial laboratory setting
  
• Experience with aseptic mammalian cell culture (adherent and/or suspension) and cell-based assays (viability and/or reporter assays)
  
• Effective multi-tasking, organizational, and written/oral communication skills
  

Nice-to-Have

• Experience with ELISA, MSD
  
• Handling of BSL2 viral agents
  
• Experience with cell-based antibody characterization assays
  

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to perform standard, occasionally repetitive laboratory operations while sitting/standing
  
• Ability to perform moderately complex mathematical calculations and data analysis
  

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Required to work with BSL2 infectious viruses (e.g., Vaccinia and adenovirus) and must receive and maintain required vaccinations or provide satisfactory proof of same.
  
• No/infrequent travel required
  
• May work occasional weekday evenings and/or weekend days
  

OTHER JOB DETAILS

• Last Date to Apply: October 5th, 2021

Pfizer requires all U.S. new hires to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to the first date of employment. As required by applicable law, Pfizer will consider requests for Reasonable Accommodations.

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