Senior Scientist - Bacterial Immunoassays, Vaccines

Why Patients Need You

Pfizer's purpose is to deliver breakthroughs that change patients' lives. Research and Development is at the heart of fulfilling Pfizer's purpose as we work to translate advanced science and technologies into the therapies and vaccines that matter most. Whether you are in the discovery sciences, ensuring drug safety and efficacy or supporting clinical trials, you will apply cutting edge design and process development capabilities to accelerate and bring the best in class medicines to patients around the world.

The Bacterial Immunoassays group is seeking an experienced lab-based immunologist or bacteriologist to support the production and qualification of critical reagents used in clinical sample testing of the Neisseria meningitidis serum bactericidal assays (SBA) using human complement.

What You Will Achieve

As a Senior Scientist, you will be at the center of our operations and you'll find that everything we do, every day, is in line with an unwavering commitment to quality. You will be recognized as a technical expert and a scientific contributor. With your deep knowledge of the discipline, you will be an active team member whose decisions impact the project. You will be using your scientific judgment to adapt standard methods and techniques by applying prior work experience. You will be forecasting and planning resource requirements for your project team. Your creativity in developing novel processes and new ideas will be used frequently. You will undertake mentoring activities to guide team members.

It is your innovative scientific temperament that will help in making Pfizer ready to achieve new milestones and help patients across the globe.

How You Will Achieve It

• The candidate will lead a team of scientists in the execution of bio-functional assays in support of Pfizer's vaccine programs. Responsibilities include designing and executing experiments, analyzing data, writing reports, and presenting results at internal meetings. The candidate will be expected to perform data analysis, manage laboratory responsibilities to achieve team goals, manage resources, and design/troubleshoot assays in the lab.
  
• The candidate will ensure that all work is in compliance with relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Good Lab practices / Good Manufacturing Processes (cGLP/cGMP) guidelines.
  
• The candidate will be recognized as a technical expert and a scientific contributor. They will be an active team member whose decisions impact the project. Use of sound scientific judgment to adapt standard methods and techniques by applying prior work experience will be required. Creativity in developing novel processes and new ideas will be used frequently. The candidate will undertake mentoring activities to guide team members.
  
• The ideal applicant should be able to participate in a highly-matrixed and innovative research environment. The candidate will work independently and as a team member to plan, execute, interpret results, troubleshoot, document, summarize experiments, and ensure high data quality.
  
• The candidate will be responsible to set up a workflow to accomplish goals and meet timelines.
  
• Candidate will present original data and interpretation of results at internal meetings.
  
• The candidate will master fundamental technical and quality concepts of the serum bactericidal assay (SBA). Candidate will contribute original ideas and participate in project planning for individual and team goals.
  
• Utilize expertise in microbiology and immunology to regularly contribute and influence at the project team level to make it successful
  
• Analyze and interpret project/study/investigation results and findings. Determines next steps under guidance of manager and in compliance with applicable regulations; carries out technical and administrative duties as assigned.
  
• Support the creation of method procedures, protocols, instructions, and reports. Performs calculations, interprets results, and makes decisions based on data. Maintains accurate and complete records. Review of relevant documentation within the laboratory.
  
• The candidate will be expected to generate and deliver reagents and results under tight timelines.
  
• Will be expected to share and present results in program meetings
  
• Will coordinate the testing activities of the group (5-10 colleagues).
  
• The incumbent will be trained on Policies, Practices, and Procedures needed to support their work. Satisfactorily completes all cGMP/GLP and safety training in conformance with departmental requirements
  

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• PhD in Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, or relevant scientific field
  
• Extensive expertise and hands-on experience in microbial research, cell biology, immunology, or related fields, and a desire to continue working in a laboratory-focused role. The candidate should have a desire to build on their knowledge of immunology and learn new technologies and methodologies
  
• Excellent communication, both written and oral, and highly organized - in terms of goal-setting and achieving for multiple experiments/tasks - are required skills; as well as the ability to give clear, concise direction and provide expectations to direct reports.
  
• Experience in designing experiments, data analysis, interpreting results, and summarizing data. Scientific skills such developing working hypotheses, develop and validate assays, and data interpretation are required.
  
• Ability to troubleshoot and perform complex data analysis, the ability to effectively manage, organize, and prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines.
  
• A team player with strong interpersonal and organizational skills are a must. Additionally, the candidate must be self-motivated, engaged, and able to perform tasks independently.
  
• Ability and desire to work in an interdisciplinary scientific team and the desire to learn new techniques. The candidate should possess a strong work ethic and collaborative spirit.
  
• Ability to utilize computer programs such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access Database, Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), JMP.
  

Nice-to-Have

• Experience managing and/or training junior colleagues
  
• Experience in leading complex projects or teams
  
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
  
• Detail-oriented and strong organizational skills
  

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• This position will spend time in a laboratory environment and must be able to wear all required PPE.
  
• Physical requirements include lifting, sitting, standing, walking, and bending; ability to sit for extended time at a biosafety cabinet and computer
  

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

• May require support for site as needed beyond core business hours.
  
• Dependent on timelines, work on weekends might be necessary on occasion
  
• Little to no travel required
  

Work Location Assignment: On Premise

Other Job Details:

Eligible for relocation package

Eligible for employee referral bonus

#LI-PFE

Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

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