Associate Scientist, Microbiology

Pfizer; Chesterfield (MO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with Pfizer matching

Health benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Pfizer is seeking an Associate Scientist to join the Analytical R&D Microbiology Strategy & Testing group. You will apply GMP microbiology methods to assess product quality and detect impurities, and perform environmental monitoring across Pfizer facilities, waters, and gases.

You will develop proficiency in aseptic technique, follow GMP/GLP requirements, and contribute as a technical team member delivering timely results for clinical supplies and biologics testing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, biochemistry, biology, or related field + 0 – 2 years of experience.
• Excellent documentation skills with high attention to detail
• Strong organizational skills and effective interpersonal and written communication skills
• Self-motivated and highly effective in a team‑based environment
• Ability to follow established procedures under minimal supervision

Responsibilities

• Apply GMP microbiological methods (bioburden, endotoxin, PCR, etc.) in assessment of product quality and impurities.
• Perform environmental monitoring of manufacturing facilities, waters, and compressed gases.
• Utilize established microbiological methodologies to support GMP in-process and R&D testing of clinical supplies.
• Learn aseptic lab technique and facility gowning to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Analyze data independently and present conclusions; plan and prioritize testing activities.

Skills

Documentation skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Written communication

Self-motivation

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Follow procedures

Education

Bachelor's degree in microbiology/biochemistry/biology or related field

Tools

LIMS

Analytical instruments

Job description

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 an 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. Your work in the Analytical R&D Microbiology Strategy & Testing organization helps enable development of biological therapeutics at Pfizer. Your responsibilities will be applying GMP microbiological methods (bioburden, endotoxin, PCR, etc.) in the assessment of product quality and detection of impurities. Your contributions are part of a group performing microbiology identification, testing, and method qualifications to support multiple sites in the Pfizer network. You will be responsible for Environmental Monitoring (EM) of manufacturing facilities, waters, and compressed gases at the site. The Associate Scientist is responsible for utilizing established microbiological methodologies to support GMP in-process and research & development testing of clinical supplies. You will become proficient in aseptic lab technique and facility gowning to thrive in this fast‑paced environment. Your strong foundation in general scientific practice, its principles and concepts will help in meeting critical deadlines. You will be relied on as a technical contributor to assess the assigned tasks and make decisions that involve direct application of your knowledge. It is your focus and commitment that will help in making Pfizer ready to achieve new milestones and help patients across the globe.

How You Will Achieve It

• Exercise and build basic team effectiveness skills {e.g., commitment, feedback, consensus management) within the work group.
• Review and contribute to technical documents, including validation protocols and reports, analytical test procedures, investigation reports, monitoring trend reports, and change controls.
• Directly interact with multiple department team members, including presentation of data.
• Complete all Good Manufacturing Practice {part of GxP} and safety training in compliance with departmental requirements and follow appropriate safety practices in the workplace.
• Perform various experiments for microbial analysis, qualification/validation, and characterization of biological therapeutics.
• Perform and document environmental monitoring of manufacturing areas and related Microbiological activities.
• Conduct all work according to appropriate Standard Operating Procedures following Good Manufacturing Practices/Good Laboratory Practices (GMP/GLP) requirements and ensure integrity of all data generated and documented.
• Independently analyze and provide conclusions regarding data generated.
• Plan and prioritize assigned testing activities.
• Present problems and propose solutions in discussions with group members.

Education & Experience Must-Have

• Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, biochemistry, biology, or related field + 0 – 2 years of experience.
• Excellent documentation skills with high attention to detail
• Strong organizational skills and effective interpersonal and written communication skills
• Self-motivated and highly effective in a team‑based environment
• Ability to follow established procedures under minimal supervision

Nice‑to‑Have

• 1+ years’ experience with Quality Systems in a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) environment
• Experience with laboratory data systems such as Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
• Hands‑on experience or working knowledge in pharmaceutical industry and handling of analytical instruments
• Some knowledge of drug development process for progression of biological candidates
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and guidelines
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously
• Experience using common AI tools, including generative technologies such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, or Microsoft Copilot, to support problem solving and enhance productivity.
• Demonstrated curiosity for exploring how these tools can improve outcomes and understanding of responsible AI practices, including risk management and ethical use

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Position requires occasional light lifting and periods of standing, sitting or walking. Laboratory testing involves repetitive operations using hand‑held instruments (micropipettes).

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

This is typically a Monday‑Friday schedule, first shift. Occasional weekend work or off‑shift hours work is required per business need.

Candidate must be able to qualify on cleanroom gowning to conduct weekly monitoring of the manufacturing areas

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. 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.

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