Principal Scientist, Bacteriology Immunology

Pfizer; New York (NY); On-site; USD 106,000 - 177,000; Full time

Job summary

Pfizer is seeking a Principal Scientist in the lab-based preclinical bacterial vaccine research space. You will drive investigations, develop robust assay platforms, and work with cross-functional vaccine teams to advance early candidates.

You will generate mechanistic insights and support project decisions with data-driven interpretation. The role requires a PhD with substantial hands-on experience in immunology and microbiology, and a track record of scientific leadership.

Qualifications

• PhD in Immunology or related field with 4+ years of relevant experience.
• Proven success leading independent research programs.
• Extensive hands-on expertise in immunological assays.
• Ability to design, execute, and communicate complex preclinical studies.
• Expertise in microbial immunology and host-pathogen interactions.
• Experience integrating multidimensional datasets and forming hypotheses.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, execution, and interpretation of preclinical studies for early bacterial vaccine candidates.
• Develop and optimize immunological, microbiological, cellular, and molecular assays.
• Integrate multidimensional datasets to generate mechanistic insights and inform candidate selection.
• Provide scientific leadership on multidisciplinary teams and communicate findings.
• Mentor junior scientists and guide project teams.
• Author reports, presentations, and publications; collaborate with internal and external partners.

Skills

Immunology expertise

Microbiology skills

Experimental design

Data analysis & interpretation

Scientific leadership

Communication of complex concepts

Education

PhD in Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Scientific software

Job description

Use Your Power for Purpose

At Pfizer, our purpose is to deliver breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Your work will directly impact the development of therapies and vaccines that improve patients' lives globally. By leveraging advanced science and cutting‑edge technologies, you will play a crucial role in transforming innovative ideas into life‑changing medical solutions. Whether you are involved in discovery sciences, ensuring drug safety and efficacy, or supporting clinical trials, your contributions will be vital in accelerating the delivery of top‑tier medicines to patients worldwide.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Principal Scientist role is a laboratory-based position and best suited for an experimental scientist with deep expertise in microbial immunology research tosupport bacterial vaccine preclinical research and development. The incumbent will drive preclinical research investigations for early bacterial vaccine candidates and delineate preclinical mechanisms of protective immunity by generating, analyzing, and interpreting laboratory data in a highly collaborative environment. The Principal Scientist will work closely with cross‑functional partners to ensure assay approaches are scientifically robust, fit‑for‑purpose, and aligned with program objectives, while representing the research function on multidisciplinary vaccine teams.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• - Lead the design, execution, and interpretation of complex preclinical research studies to evaluate early-stage bacterial vaccine candidates and elucidate mechanisms of protective immunity, providing scientific direction and data‑driven recommendations that advance program objectives.
• - Develop, implement, and continuously improve innovative immunological, microbiological, cellular, and molecular assay platforms that are scientifically robust, fit-for-purpose, and aligned with bacterial vaccine research and development needs.
• - Drive the integration of multidimensional datasets spanning immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, and preclinical models to generate mechanistic insights, identify potential correlates of protection, and inform candidate selection and development strategies.
• - Provide scientific leadership on multidisciplinary project teams by identifying key scientific questions, assessing technical risks, evaluating emerging technologies and influencing project decisions through deep subject matter expertise and sound scientific judgment.
• - Author and communicate scientific findings through high-quality technical reports, publications, presentations, and strategic recommendations, while fostering productive collaborations with internal partners and external scientific collaborators to advance bacterial vaccine research objectives.
• - Provide technical mentorship and scientific guidance to junior scientists and project team members, as appropriate.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• - PhD in Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or a related scientific discipline with 4+ years of relevant experience.
• - Demonstrated success leading independent research programs with a strong record of scientific achievement and influence in multidisciplinary, collaborative research environments.
• - Extensive hands‑on expertise in the design, development, optimization, and application of immunological assays to address scientific questions.
• - Proven ability to independently design, execute, interpret, and communicate complex preclinical research studies, including generation of mechanistic insights that inform scientific and project decisions.
• - Demonstrated expertise in microbial immunology and/or host‑pathogen interactions.
• - Experience integrating multidimensional datasets and applying scientific judgment to develop hypotheses, solve technical challenges, assess risks, and recommend future research directions.
• - Proven ability to communicate complex scientific concepts and research findings through high‑impact publications, presentations, technical reports, and interactions with technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• - Strong organizational, planning, and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple scientific initiatives simultaneously while maintaining high standards of scientific rigor and quality.
• - Proficiency with personal computers including Microsoft Office and relevant scientific software.
• - Experience using common AI tools, including generative technologies such as ChatGPT 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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

(Nice to have)

• - 2+ years of relevant industry experience in vaccine research, infectious disease, or applied biomedical research.
• - Experience in bacterial vaccine research and development, including antigen discovery, vaccine candidate evaluation, immune‑response characterization, and mechanisms of protective immunity.
• - Experience identifying, evaluating, and implementing emerging technologies, analytical approaches, or innovative methodologies that enhance vaccine research capabilities.

SCIENTIFIC & COLLABORATIVE CAPABILITIES

The successful candidate demonstrates scientific independence, strong collaboration skills, and the ability to influence across disciplines without formal authority. This role requires technical depth, clear scientific communication, and a commitment to high‑quality assay data generation that supports bacterial vaccine development, vaccine mechanisms of action, and bacterial correlates of protection.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Working in the laboratory includes lifting items (<40 pounds) and standing as needed.

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

• - Occasional weekend or evening work to meet critical business timelines
• - Occasional travel (approximately 5%) to scientific meetings, other company sites, or external partners

Relocation support available

Work Location Assignment:On Premise

Last Day to Apply: October 25, 2026

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $106,000.00 to $176,600.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 15.0% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program. 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.

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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