Senior Associate Scientist, Viral Vaccines

Pfizer; Pearl River (NY); On-site; USD 69,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

Pfizer is seeking a Senior Associate Scientist to support preclinical evaluation and early clinical development of mRNA and protein-based viral vaccines. You will perform immunoassays to monitor immune responses and help develop bio-functional assays.

The role emphasizes independence, accuracy, and collaboration within fast-paced programs. Responsibilities include assay development, data analysis, literature review, and training colleagues while maintaining rigorous notebook practices and

Qualifications

• Must-have Bachelor's degree in Biological Engineering, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Physical Sciences, or related discipline with 3 to 5 years of laboratory research experience in a relevant field 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.
• 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
• 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).

Responsibilities

• Perform assays to analyze immune responses to vaccine candidates that include 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.

Skills

Excel

GraphPad Prism

PowerPoint

Immunoassays

Data analysis

Communication skills

Bioassays

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences or related

Master's degree in related field

Tools

Bravo Automated Liquid Handling Platform

Luminex

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 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

Compensation

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.

Benefits

• 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

Pfizer careers are like no other. In our culture of individual ownership, we believe in our ability to improve future healthcare, and potential to transform millions of lives. We’re looking for new talent to join our global community, to unearth new innovative therapies that make the world a healthier place.