Senior Associate Scientist, Viral 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.

What You Will Achieve

As a Senior Associate Scientist in the Vaccine Research and Development Division, you will be critical in helping to understand, improve, and generate the next generation of RNA-based vaccines. This position will play a central role in early vaccine development within Viral Vaccines in Pearl River, NY and the successful candidate will leverage their background in molecular biology to expand our understanding of current vaccine platforms and participate in the development of next-generation RNA vaccine prototypes. The successful candidate will use their experience and curiosity to quantitate differences between vaccine prototypes in vitro . Furthermore, you will help to develop new assays and evaluate novel technologies generated both internally and externally. Your efforts, expertise, and data will be functional in the selection of vaccine candidates to move from in vitro to in vivo studies and as such will have a direct impact on advancing Pfizer's next-generation vaccine platforms.

How You Will Achieve It

• Develop in vitro assays for characterizing innate immune responses to next-generation RNA vaccines.
• Support mechanism of action (MoA) studies through both intra and intergroup collaboration as needed.
• Apply functional molecular biology techniques to independently: clone novel constructs, perform DNA/RNA isolation and transfections, process and analyze flow cytometry data, as well as quantify RNA via RT-qPCR/qPCR/ddqPCR.
• Effectively interpret, analyze, and summarize data acquired with limited supervision.
• Present data in group meetings, project team meetings, and to the department as required.
• Maintain laboratory notebook (ELN) in a detailed and punctual manner, in compliance with company policy.
• Proactively seek input from colleagues/peers, identify and report any experimental problems, proactively troubleshoot causative factors, and implement necessary corrections following discussion with supervisor.

Qualifications

Must-Have

• Bachelor's Degree (with 3+ years relevant experience) in biology, microbiology, immunology, chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field.
• Demonstrable experience with standard molecular biology techniques: RT-qPCR/qPCR, molecular cloning, aseptic technique, cell culture, DNA/RNA isolation, DNA/RNA transfection.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Ability to drive independent projects as well as work towards common goals as a team.
• Attention to detail: Accurate and punctual recordkeeping as well as adherence to SOPs.
• Curiosity and a willingness to learn additional techniques/relevant biological bases for experimentation.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Nice-to-Have

• Master's Degree in virology, microbiology, immunology, biology, chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field with 0-2 years of relevant experience.
• In vitro transcription (IVT)/RNA production experience.
• Proficient in data analysis and plotting in GraphPad (PRISM).
• Experience with immunostaining assays: Flow, ELISA, IF.
• Technical proficiency with sequence analysis software (Genious/Sequencher/DNAStar).
• Practice designing and running experiments independently.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Standard laboratory conditions - sitting, standing, primarily lab-based.
• Ability to interpret, analyze, and present complex data to colleagues.
• Math skills for basic laboratory calculations: dilutions, molar ratios, etc.

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

• On-site (laboratory-based). Must be able to access or utilize reliable transportation to the Pearl River site.
• Experimental designs may occasionally necessitate being on-site early/late or on weekends, as needed.
• Potential to work with/come in contact with infectious materials.

Work Location Assignment: On Premise

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