Senior Manager, Lab Robotics and Automation--Vaccines Research and Development

Pfizer, S.A. de C.V; Pearl River (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Manager for Lab Robotics and Automation within their Vaccines Research and Development division. This pivotal role involves overseeing laboratory automation processes, managing a team of skilled professionals, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. The successful candidate will leverage their extensive experience in robotic systems and project management to drive innovation in vaccine studies. Join a dynamic team committed to breakthroughs that enhance patient lives, and contribute to impactful projects in a collaborative environment where your expertise will be valued and recognized.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of industry experience required, with strong communication and project management skills.
• Hands-on experience with robotic liquid handlers is essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage laboratory automation processes from conception to validation for vaccine trials.
• Ensure compliance with GxP regulations and oversee team performance.

Skills

Robotic liquid handlers programming

Project management

Communication skills

Process development

Data analysis

Education

BEng/BS

MEng/MS

PhD

Tools

Agilent

Hamilton

Tecan

Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)

Liquid handler scheduling software

Job description

Senior Manager, Lab Robotics and Automation--Vaccines Research and Development

We’re in relentless pursuit of breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. We innovate every day to make the world a healthier place.

To fully realize Pfizer’s purpose – Breakthroughs that change patients’ lives – we have established a clear set of expectations regarding “what” we need to achieve for patients and “how” we will go about achieving those goals.

Pfizer Research & Development serves as the beating heart of Pfizer's trailblazing product pipeline, the essence of our mission to bring life-changing medicines to the world.

Pfizer offers competitive compensation and benefits programs designed to meet the diverse needs of our colleagues.

The Clinical Immunology and Diagnostics (CID) Team resides within Research & Development’s Vaccines division. CID’s mission is to develop, validate and maintain various immunoassays to support both pre-clinical and clinical vaccine studies. This laboratory-based position manages assay support functions within the Robotics and Automation Team. Job responsibilities include:

1. Managerial oversight over laboratory automation process development efforts for existing equipment.
2. Managerial oversight over the evaluation and/or implementation of new technologies within the Robotics and Automation group and within other groups in Vaccines.
3. Managerial oversight over equipment qualification and method validation.
4. Forecasting short- and long-term project requirements.
5. Assuring appropriate levels of GxP compliance, including documentation practices, specimen/data tracking, and audit readiness.
6. Maintaining and promoting laboratory safety and compliance.
7. Coaching and development of direct reports.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages all phases of laboratory automation process development efforts from conception through implementation and validation, in support of Vaccines clinical trials.
• In conjunction with assay support and equipment management functions within the Robotics and Automation group, ensures that the proper resources, both human and equipment, are in place to support the various programs.
• Leverages broad technical knowledge to evaluate new technologies, shares expertise throughout Vaccines, and determine the best course of action.
• Maintains oversight of other required activities, including but not limited to robotic method wet run testing, instrument and method qualification.
• Regularly communicates with both CID leadership and assay groups in order to assess short- and long-term needs to support clinical testing, both the preparation of assay ready plates and execution of the assays.
• Prioritizes the scheduling of work according to the requirements set forth by CID leadership.
• Ensures that all work is performed safely; and regulated tasks/activities are performed in compliance with GxP and Pfizer/Regulatory agency requirements.
• Manages the team’s performance and development. Assists direct reports with setting their semester goals and creating a personal development plan. Provides regular coaching to colleagues. Conducts regular performance discussions and year-end performance appraisals.
• Manages a team of 5 to 10 direct reports.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• BEng/BS with 6+ years of industry experience, MEng/MS with 5+ years of industry experience or PhD with 1+ years of industry experience.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with 2+ years of people management experience. Proven ability to lead complex projects and to assign resources to meet project timelines.
• Prior experience in a high throughput setting with process development experience.
• Significant hands-on experience programming and troubleshooting robotic liquid handlers (Agilent, Hamilton, Tecan) is required for this role.
• Additional experience with other laboratory automation equipment (robotic arm, plate reader/sealer/washer, automated incubator).
• Proven ability to perform basic analyses of laboratory data and interpret the results.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 7 + years of hands-on experience with laboratory automation and 4 + years of people management experience.
• Experience with GxP regulations, including instrument qualification (IQ/OQ) and method validation (PQ).
• Experience with immunoassays and vaccine clinical testing.
• Experience with microfluidics and/or other emerging low volume liquid handling technologies.
• Experience with programming languages, such as Python, R and/or JavaScript.
• Experience with the use of liquid handler scheduling software.
• Experience with the use of a laboratory information management system (LIMS).

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Work is primarily performed at the laboratory bench or at an office desk using a computer. The job involves lifting relatively light loads, generally not more than 10 pounds.

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

This position may require weekend and evening work to meet critical business timelines. This position may require occasional travel to scientific meetings, between Pfizer sites and other business-related travel.

ROLE SUMMARY

The Clinical Immunology and Diagnostics (CID) Team resides within Research & Development’s Vaccines division. CID’s mission is to develop, validate and maintain various immunoassays to support both pre-clinical and clinical vaccine studies. This laboratory-based position manages assay support functions within the Robotics and Automation Team. Job responsibilities include:

1. Managerial oversight over laboratory automation process development efforts for existing equipment.
2. Managerial oversight over the evaluation and/or implementation of new technologies within the Robotics and Automation group and within other groups in Vaccines.
3. Managerial oversight over equipment qualification and method validation.
4. Forecasting short- and long-term project requirements.
5. Assuring appropriate levels of GxP compliance, including documentation practices, specimen/data tracking, and audit readiness.
6. Maintaining and promoting laboratory safety and compliance.
7. Coaching and development of direct reports.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages all phases of laboratory automation process development efforts from conception through implementation and validation, in support of Vaccines clinical trials.
• In conjunction with assay support and equipment management functions within the Robotics and Automation group, ensures that the proper resources, both human and equipment, are in place to support the various programs.
• Leverages broad technical knowledge to evaluate new technologies, shares expertise throughout Vaccines, and determine the best course of action.
• Maintains oversight of other required activities, including but not limited to robotic method wet run testing, instrument and method qualification.
• Regularly communicates with both CID leadership and assay groups in order to assess short- and long-term needs to support clinical testing, both the preparation of assay ready plates and execution of the assays.
• Prioritizes the scheduling of work according to the requirements set forth by CID leadership.
• Ensures that all work is performed safely; and regulated tasks/activities are performed in compliance with GxP and Pfizer/Regulatory agency requirements.
• Manages the team’s performance and development. Assists direct reports with setting their semester goals and creating a personal development plan. Provides regular coaching to colleagues. Conducts regular performance discussions and year-end performance appraisals.
• Manages a team of 5 to 10 direct reports.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• BEng/BS with 6+ years of industry experience, MEng/MS with 5+ years of industry experience or PhD with 1+ years of industry experience.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with 2+ years of people management experience. Proven ability to lead complex projects and to assign resources to meet project timelines.
• Prior experience in a high throughput setting with process development experience.
• Significant hands-on experience programming and troubleshooting robotic liquid handlers (Agilent, Hamilton, Tecan) is required for this role.
• Additional experience with other laboratory automation equipment (robotic arm, plate reader/sealer/washer, automated incubator).
• Proven ability to perform basic analyses of laboratory data and interpret the results.