Associate Scientist, In Vivo Pharmacology

Pfizer; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan with Pfizer matching

Paid vacation

Holiday and personal days

Parental and medical leave

Health benefits

Job summary

Pfizer is seeking an Associate Scientist to join the In Vivo Pharmacology group within the Oncology Research Unit. You will support in vivo oncology studies including small molecules and ADCs, contributing to efficacy, tolerability, and pharmacodynamic biomarker assessments.

The role requires careful study execution, strong technical skills, and a commitment to animal welfare and compliance in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent laboratory experience in biology, pharmacology, or a related discipline.
• Hands-on experience with rodent handling and in vivo procedures in a research setting.
• Experience with tumor measurement, dosing support, sample collection, and study documentation.
• Ability to follow study protocols, dosing schedules, and SOPs with precision.
• Basic understanding of oncology pharmacology concepts and endpoints.

Responsibilities

• Conduct routine in vivo oncology study activities including tumor measurements and sampling.
• Assist xenograft, syngeneic, and other oncology models under guidance.
• Support pharmacology studies evaluating efficacy, tolerability, and biomarkers.
• Prepare study materials and confirm dosing/sampling schedules per SOPs.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant study records using electronic data capture.
• Communicate observations and risks promptly to managers and study leads.
• Collaborate with vivarium, pathology, bioanalytical and pharmacokinetic teams to ensure efficient execution.
• Ensure all work adheres to IACUC protocols and animal welfare standards.

Skills

Rodent handling

In vivo procedures

Tumor measurement

Dosing support

Study documentation

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology or related field

Tools

Studylog

Job description

Position Summary

Pfizer is seeking a motivated Associate Scientist to join the In Vivo Pharmacology group within the Oncology Research Unit. This role supports the execution of in vivo oncology studies including small molecules and ADCs within discovery and preclinical development, including efficacy, tolerability, pharmacodynamic, and sample collection workflows. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong technical aptitude, careful attention to detail, and a commitment to animal welfare, compliance, and high-quality study execution. The Associate Scientist is expected to contribute as a dependable technical team member while building scientific understanding of oncology pharmacology.

Position Responsibilities

• Conduct routine in vivo oncology study activities, including tumor measurements, body weight monitoring, clinical observations, dosing support, and sample collection.
• Assist with execution of xenograft, syngeneic, and other oncology models under established protocols and guidance from study leads.
• Support pharmacology studies evaluating efficacy, tolerability, pharmacodynamic biomarkers, dosing schedules, and combination approaches.
• Prepare study materials, confirm dosing and sampling schedules, and ensure study activities are performed according to approved protocols and SOPs.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant study records using approved electronic data capture and documentation systems.
• Communicate study observations, technical issues, animal welfare concerns, and timeline risks promptly to managers and study line leads.
• Collaborate with vivarium operations, project teams, pathology, bioanalytical, pharmacodynamic, and pharmacokinetic colleagues to support efficient study execution.
• Ensure all work is conducted in accordance with IACUC protocols, animal welfare expectations, biosafety requirements, and Pfizer internal policies.

Minimum Qualifications / Key Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, pharmacology, animal science, cancer biology, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant laboratory experience.
• Hands-on experience with rodent handling and in vivo procedures in a research, academic, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or contract research setting.
• Working proficiency with routine in vivo oncology techniques such as tumor measurement, animal monitoring, dosing support, sample collection, and study documentation.
• Ability to follow study protocols, dosing schedules, sample collection plans, and SOPs with precision and attention to detail.
• Basic understanding of oncology pharmacology concepts, including tumor growth, treatment response, tolerability monitoring, and pharmacodynamic endpoint collection.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to support multiple concurrent study activities under guidance from supervisors or study leads.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills and ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Applies technical skills to routine and moderately complex procedures while developing independence and troubleshooting capability.
• Demonstrates accountability for assigned tasks and contributes to team goals, study timelines, and quality expectations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting oncology programs including targeted therapy, immuno-oncology, or combination studies.
• Experience with necropsy, tissue collection, blood collection, biomarker sample processing, or ex vivo endpoint workflows.
• Familiarity with electronic in vivo study management systems such as Studylog or similar platforms.
• AALAS certification or equivalent animal care and use training.

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

Must be willing and able to work after hours as needed to ensure study integrity

Work Location Assignment: On Premise

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $60,200.00 to $100,400.00. 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.

• 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
• 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.

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

Candidates must be authorized to be employed in the U.S. by any employer.

U.S. work visa sponsorship (such as TN, O-1, H-1B, etc.) is not available for this role now or in the future.

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. This position requires permanent work authorization in the United States.

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.

To learn more about acceptable and prohibited uses of AI during the recruitment process, please review our candidate AI-use guidelines available on Pfizer Careers.

Research and Development