Senior Principal Scientist, Bioprocess Development

Pfizer; Pearl River (NY); On-site; USD 124,000 - 207,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with matching

Comprehensive benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Pfizer is seeking a Senior Principal Scientist to lead the Polysaccharide Fermentation and Purification Development group within Vaccines, Early BioProcess Development. You will guide upstream and downstream efforts for scalable manufacturing and contribute to strategy, planning, and regulatory readiness.

The role requires a PhD with extensive vaccine process development experience, strong collaboration across disciplines, and mentorship of scientific staff to advance programs toward technology

Qualifications

• PhD with a minimum of 8 years in vaccine process development.
• Hands-on depth in microbial fermentation and purification of polysaccharides.
• Experience with design of experiments, scale-down models, and process characterization.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive program deliverables.
• Experience with CMC documentation and regulatory expectations for clinical manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-performing team of upstream and downstream process development scientists and engineers.
• Define process development strategy and align with program objectives and timelines.
• Drive technology transfer to clinical manufacturing sites with risk assessments and control rationale.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to support integrated process development and product advancement.
• Foster innovation through automation, digital tools, and data-driven approaches.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Communication

Mentoring

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or related

Job description

ROLE SUMMARY

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Principal Scientist to lead the Polysaccharide Fermentation and Purification Development group within Vaccines, Early BioProcess Development. The successful candidate will lead the group, provide strategic, innovative scientific and technical leadership for upstream and downstream bioprocess development supporting diverse vaccines portfolio. This role is part of a cross-functional team focused on polysaccharide fermentation and purification process development for carbohydrate- and other modality-based conjugate vaccines. The successful candidate will be responsible for the development of scalable manufacturing processes across microbial fermentation, purification and scale up, shaping process development plans, integrating technical input across disciplines, mentoring scientific staff, managing risks, and influencing key program decisions from early-stage development through technology transfer and clinical manufacturing readiness.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead and develop a high-performing team of upstream and downstream process development scientists and engineers, drive the vaccines program, while setting scientific direction, establishing priorities, building technical capability, and ensuring high standards for rigor, quality, and accountability. Drive development of robust, scalable, and transferable manufacturing processes. Provide strategic leadership, serve as a strategic scientific owner for vaccine programs by defining process development strategy, aligning technical plans with program objectives, and ensuring decisions are informed by scientific evidence, manufacturability, timelines, and regulatory expectations. Collaborate closely with colleagues across EBPD, Vaccines, BTxPS, and PGS organizations to support integrated process development and product advancement. Partner with cross-functional projects team, provide project updates, technical strategies, risks, propose mitigation plans, communicate trade-offs, and drive alignment among all stakeholders. Lead technology transfer strategy for developed processes to internal and external clinical manufacturing sites, including preparation and review of process descriptions, technical packages, risk assessments, process control rationale, and troubleshooting plans. Foster innovation through adoption of emerging bioprocess technologies, automation, digital tools, and data-driven approaches that enhance process efficiency, product quality, scalability, and robustness. Continuously evaluate process performance, equipment capabilities, and experimental workflows to identify gaps, mitigate risks, and propose practical improvements. Mentor and develop scientific talent while building organizational capability and succession strength.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

PhD in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or a related discipline, with a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience. Demonstrated expertise in vaccine process development, preferably for capsular or exopolysaccharides, conjugate vaccines, bacterial antigens, carrier proteins, or other microbial-based vaccine platforms. Hands‑on technical depth in microbial fermentation and developing polysaccharide recovery and purification processes. Strong knowledge of polysaccharide critical quality attributes, in‑process controls, design of experiments, scale‑down model development, and process characterization. Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across cross‑functional teams, including process development, analytical, formulation, quality, regulatory, and manufacturing groups, to advance complex vaccine development programs. Ability to drive projects, translate scientific strategies into executable development plans, manage competing priorities, and guide teams through ambiguity while maintaining accountability for program deliverables. Experience authoring and reviewing development reports, process descriptions, technology‑transfer packages, risk assessments, and CMC content, with practical understanding of quality‑by‑design principles, data integrity, and phase‑appropriate regulatory expectations for clinical manufacturing. Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills to effectively influence and collaborate in a fast‑paced, multi‑disciplinary team environment. Candidate demonstrates a breadth of diverse leadership experiences and capabilities including: the ability to influence and collaborate with peers, develop and coach others, oversee and guide the work of other colleagues to achieve meaningful outcomes and create business impact.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Standard laboratory conditions – sitting, standing, primarily lab based Ability to perform mathematical calculations and ability to perform complex data analysis

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Work Location Assignment: On Premise Last date to apply is September 28, 2026 The annual base salary for this position ranges from $124,400.00 to $207,400.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 17.5% 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 additionalPfizer 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. SunshineActPfizer 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 SunshineAct.

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 PfizerCareers.

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 oflives.