Material Scientist: Polymer & Biocompatibility SME

Pfizer; Ringaskiddy; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Pfizer Ireland is seeking a senior material science expert to lead polymer safety and qualification for single-use systems and primary packaging across biopharma manufacturing. You will drive material safety assessments, regulatory support, and risk-based decision-making to ensure compliant and scientifically defensible materials for Pfizer’s network.

The role emphasizes collaboration with PGS sites, PharmSci, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, and suppliers, translating standards into process

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Polymer/Material Science or Materials/Mechanical/Chemical Engineering or related field.
• Experience in R&D, technical support, or pharmaceutical component materials preferred.
• Familiarity with compendial standards (USP/Ph. Eur./ISO) and regulatory guidelines beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Advance material safety compliance across single-use systems and packaging.
• Support regulatory submissions and risk-based decision making for material selection.
• Evaluate new polymer solutions and sustainability initiatives including chemicals-of-concern considerations.
• Collaborate across PGS sites, PharmSci, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Procurement, and Operations.
• Translate standards and regulatory requirements into Pfizer processes and specifications.

Skills

Materials science expertise

Regulatory support

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

BS/MS in Polymer/Material Science or Materials/Mechanical/Chemical Engineering

Job description

Job Summary This position serves as the polymer and biocompatibility material science subject matter expert for single-use systems, primary packaging, and polymeric components used across drug substance, sterile drug product manufacturing, and biopharmaceutical processing. The role provides strategic and technical leadership for material safety assessments, polymer qualification strategies, regulatory support, and risk-based decision-making to ensure materials are suitable, compliant, and scientifically defensible for use across Pfizer’s manufacturing network.

Job Summary This position serves as the polymer and biocompatibility material science subject matter expert for single-use systems, primary packaging, and polymeric components used across drug substance, sterile drug product manufacturing, and biopharmaceutical processing. The role provides strategic and technical leadership for material safety assessments, polymer qualification strategies, regulatory support, and risk-based decision-making to ensure materials are suitable, compliant, and scientifically defensible for use across Pfizer’s manufacturing network.

Position Responsibilities The position is accountable for advancing material safety compliance, supporting regulatory submissions, evaluating new and modified polymer solutions, and enabling sustainability and chemicals-of-concern initiatives, including alternative polymers, reduced-additive formulations, and future-ready material platforms. The role translates compendial standards, regulatory expectations, industry guidance, and material characterization data into actionable recommendations that support product quality, patient safety, supplier qualification, and network-wide adoption of new technologies. Working with a high degree of technical independence and cross-functional collaboration, this individual partners with PGS sites, PharmSci, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Procurement, Operations, suppliers, and industry forums to resolve complex material challenges, influence standards, and support digital knowledge-management solutions that improve material selection, qualification efficiency, and enterprise decision-making.

Technical & Strategic Leadership

• Lead material science strategy for single-use systems across biopharma and sterile drug product manufacturing and packaging, collaborating with leadership to establish direction for polymer selection, qualification, and risk mitigation aligned with NetZero and chemicals of concern goals.
• Provide expert guidance on material safety compliance and strategy including bioreactivity (USP, , ISO 10993) and physicochemical testing ( , , , , EP 3.1) to demonstrate material safety for pharmaceutical manufacturing applications.
• Independently coordinate and oversee material characterization and safety testing programs for new and modified polymeric materials used in single-use assemblies, determining technical scope, establishing project timelines and cost estimates.
• Translate compendia standards (USP, Ph. Eur., ISO), industry guidelines (Biophorum, ASTM, BPSA), and regulatory requirements into actionable Pfizer processes and specifications for polymer material qualification.
• Evaluate and identify qualification strategy for emerging polymers and alternative materials to meet evolving biopharma processing requirements (e.g., bio-based resins, mass-balance polymers) while addressing future chemicals of concern regulations including Nitrosamines, BPA, and PFAS restrictions.
• Provide necessary technical inputs to develop AI and Digital solutions to enable enterprise process simplification.

Knowledge And Skills

• Generate technical protocols, reports, and material assessments demonstrating strong material background, technical writing skills and ability to communicate complex material science concepts to diverse audiences.
• Maintain and expand polymer material databases and knowledge management systems to support global material selection, supplier qualification, and regulatory compliance across the single-use network.
• Monitor and assess industry trends in polymer technology, sustainability innovations, and emerging regulatory requirements; proactively develop strategies to address materials challenges and opportunities.
• Interprets internal/external technical challenges and best practices to recommend improvements to products, processes, or services.

Collaboration

• Collaborate effectively across multiple PGS sites, PharmSci, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Procurement, Operations, and external suppliers to provide material science recommendations and risk assessments for complex, multi-variable qualification programs.
• Support cross-functional design teams in material selection decisions for new single-use system designs and primary packaging solutions, ensuring alignment with processing requirements, regulatory expectations, and sustainability objectives.
• Participate in industry forums to continuously benchmark industry updates and align Pfizer strategy and to influence at an industry level.
• Maintain project status in digital systems or other methods, as requested.

Approach and Mindset

• Recognizes cross-functional impact in all decision-making; proactively reaches out to stakeholder groups to gain alignment on cross-functional issues.
• Able to identify root causes and drive to problem resolution; orientation towards action - anticipates problems and acts proactively to resolve; demonstrated initiative, drive, and creativity in problem solving.
• Knows when to report or elevate risks and issues to leadership.
• Embraces Pfizer Purpose: Breakthroughs that change patients’ lives through the incorporation of the Bold Moves and Values and Behaviour’s.

Here Is What You Need (Minimum Requirements)

• BS/MS in Polymer/Material Science or Materials/Mechanical/Chemical Engineering or other related science with appropriate background will be considered.
• Minimum of 6 years technical experience in the R&D, Technical Support, or supporting Pharmaceutical component materials or a closely related field.

Bonus Points If You Have (Preferred Requirements)

• PhD in Polymer Science, Materials Engineering or other related science/engineering is preferred.
• Experience in testing for polymer materials and resins.

Work Location Assignment :Onsite This role is posted in multiple locations. If you are applying for the role in an secondary job posting location where pay transparency regulations apply, your Talent Advisor will share the local pay information with you during the first interview.

Additional Information

• In order to be considered for this position in Ireland you need to be legally eligible to work in Ireland.
• Please note there is no relocation support available for this position.

Purpose Breakthroughs that change patients' lives... At Pfizer we are a patient centric company, guided by our four values: courage, joy, equity and excellence. Our breakthrough culture lends itself to our dedication to transforming millions of lives.

Digital Transformation Strategy One bold way we are achieving our purpose is through our company wide digital transformation strategy. We are leading the way in adopting new data, modelling and automated solutions to further digitize and accelerate drug discovery and development with the aim of enhancing health outcomes and the patient experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is crucial to building a successful business. As an employer, Pfizer is committed to celebrating this, in all its forms – allowing for us to be as diverse as the patients and communities we serve. Together, we continue to build a culture that encourages, supports and empowers our employees.

Disability Inclusion Our mission is unleashing the power of all our people and we are proud to be a disability inclusive employer, ensuring equal employment opportunities for all candidates. We encourage you to put your best self forward with the knowledge and trust that we will make any reasonable adjustments to support your application and future career. Your journey with Pfizer starts here! Pfizer endeavors to make www.pfizer.com/careers accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process and/or interviewing, please email [e-mail]. This is to be used solely for accommodation requests with respect to the accessibility of our website, online application process and/or interviewing. Requests for any other reason will not be returned.

Engineering