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, 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 part of a team to support the preclinical evaluation and early clinical development of mRNA and protein based viral vaccines. You will be responsible for performing and developing immunoassays supporting various viral programs to monitor the immune responses elicited by vaccine candidates.

You will be using your scientific knowledge to adapt and develop standard methods and techniques by applying prior work experience and consulting others. You should possess a strong work ethic and collaborative spirit and be adaptable to fast-paced environments.

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

• Perform assays to analyze immune responses to vaccine candidates that include (but are not limited to) cell culture, neutralization assays, other functional antibody assays, Luminex, and ELISAs in BSL-2 environments.
• Generate, characterize and tract critical reagents for preclinical bio-functional studies to support vaccine development.
• Assist with preclinical bio-functional assay development and train other analysts on established technologies. Apply technical skills and functional knowledge to complete projects/ assignments independently and proactively.
• Perform data analysis; summarize and interpret experimental results and present at team meetings.
• Read scientific and technical literature to stay current in the field and to bring new and improved technologies to the laboratory.
• Maintain laboratory notebooks in compliance with the Pfizer Laboratory Notebook Policy.
• Stay current on all departmental and corporate training.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Must-Have

• Bachelor's degree in Biological Engineering, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Physical Sciences, or a related discipline with 3 to 5 years of laboratory research experience in a relevant field of science OR Masters Degree with 0 to 3 years of experience.
• Basic laboratory skills in the areas of cell-based assays.
• Experience with experimental design and interpretation of results.
• The capacity to work effectively in highly visible research programs with time-constrained milestones
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency in software to perform analysis and presentation of data (Excel, GraphPad Prism, PowerPoint, and relevant scientific software).
• Strong motivation with a dedicated work ethic.

Nice-to-Have

• Pharmaceutical and biotech vaccine research experience
• Experience with handling infectious agents such as respiratory viruses
• Experience with adherent and suspension cell lines
• Experience with independent development and troubleshooting bioassays designed to assess antibody functionality
• Advanced experience in generating protocols using Bravo Automated Liquid Handling Platform.
• Expert in Microsoft Excel (advanced formulas and functions).

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Basic laboratory training in aseptic technique is essential.
• Ability to work with infectious agents safely.
• Standard laboratory conditions and computer work– sitting, standing.
• This position may require the ability to stand and reach inside the hardware environment of various laboratory robotic equipment.
• Math skills for basic laboratory calculations.

Work Location Assignment: On Premise

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $68,600.00 to $114,300.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 7.5% of the base salary. We offer comprehensive and generous benefits and programs to help our colleagues lead healthy lives and to support each of life’s moments. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage. Learn more at Pfizer Candidate Site – U.S. Benefits | (uscandidates.mypfizerbenefits.com). Pfizer compensation structures and benefit packages are aligned based on the location of hire. The United States salary range provided does not apply to Tampa, FL or any location outside of the United States.

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