Senior Scientist, Culture Process Development

Pfizer; Andover (MA); On-site; USD 94,000 - 156,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Paid vacation

Health benefits

Job summary

Pfizer’s Upstream Process Development group in Massachusetts seeks a Senior Scientist (R4) to design and optimize manufacturing processes for recombinant proteins for clinical trials. You will work with bench-top bioreactors, scale-down models, and coordinate technology transfer to pilot and GMP facilities for large-scale production and regulatory filings.

The role emphasizes leading experiments, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced bioprocess environment.

Qualifications

• PhD with 0–3 years in biotechnology/biopharma or Master's with 7+ years or BA/BS with 9+ years.
• Experience in development and characterization of cost effective, scalable mammalian cell culture processes for therapeutics production; process intensification and continuous manufacturing; scale-up/scale-down of cell culture processes.
• Strong data interpretation, aseptic technique, and ability to drive projects with innovative solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments in scale-down models to develop robust, high yield, scalable manufacturing processes.
• Serve as upstream technical lead; ensure accurate technology transfer to pilot and GMP facilities; provide technical support during manufacturing campaigns.
• Document data in electronic lab notebooks; author technical reports; contribute to IND and BLA submissions.
• Participate in lab and project team discussions on DOE design and data interpretation.
• Maintain safe, efficient lab environment; be a collaborative team player.
• Occasionally work weekends to passage flasks and sample bioreactors.

Skills

Bioprocess development

Upstream bioreactor design

Tech transfer

Regulatory awareness

Education

PhD with biotech/biopharma experience (0-3 yrs)

Master's with 7+ years

BA/BS with 9+ years in chemical/biochemical eng

Tools

Ambr15

Ambr250

Job description

What You Will Achieve

Senior Scientist (R4) position is available in the Upstream Process Development group within the Bioprocess R&D organization. The successful applicant will join a team of scientists and engineers focused on developing and optimizing manufacturing processes for recombinant proteins and other modalities for early- and late-phase human clinical trials. In this role, the candidate will be responsible for designing and executing laboratory experiments in bench-top bioreactors and associated scale-down equipment with the goal of developing robust, scalable, and high productivity processes. The work will also involve collaborating with pilot, clinical, and commercial production facilities to ensure accurate technology transfer, successful large-scale production and associated regulatory filing activities. The candidate may also be involved in cutting edge technology development projects that seek to improve production processes and control strategies leveraging various process analytical technologies.

How You Will Achieve It

Design and execute experiments in appropriate scale-down models in an effort to develop robust, high yield, and scalable manufacturing processes

Serve as upstream technical lead; ensure accurate technology transfer to pilot and GMP manufacturing facilities; provide technical support during manufacturing campaign as needed

Timely and accurately document data in electronic lab notebooks; author technical reports and contribute to relevant sections of regulatory submissions such as IND and BLA

Participate and contribute to discussions in lab and project team meetings on design of experiments and interpretation of data

Contribute to safe, efficient, and harmonious lab environment; strong lab citizen and collaborative team player

Occasionally work over the weekend to passage flasks, sample bioreactors or perform other essential tasks

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must Have PhD degree with 0-3 years of experience in biotechnology/biopharma industry or Master's Degree with 7+ years of post-graduate experience or BA/BS with 9+ years of experience with a degree in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Microbiology or relevant field
• Experience in development and characterization of cost effective, scalable mammalian cell culture processes for therapeutics production; process intensification and continuous manufacturing; Scale-up/scale-down of cell culture processes
• Good understanding of reactions involved in metabolic pathways and process kinetics in mammalian cells
• Competency in aseptic laboratory technique, ability to design complex experiments, analyze and interpret data
• Self-motivated, organized, and capable of working independently and in a collaborative environment and should have demonstrated ability to drive projects by coming up with innovative solutions
• Demonstrates strong attention to detail, and strong oral and written communication skills
• Has ability to work in a fast-paced team environment with changing priorities
• Demonstrated effectiveness in collaborative projects, and ability to communicate effectively with scientists and management in a highly matrixed organization
• Demonstrated passion for innovation and a creative approach to developing new technologies

Nice To Have

• Expertise in perfusion bioreactor operations, including process setup, control, troubleshooting of mammalian cell culture processes
• Hands-on experience with high-throughput bioreactor platforms, including ambr15 and ambr250 systems
• Expertise in process modeling, CFD, multivariate data analysis, and AI/ML-based predictive modeling to support process characterization and enhance process understanding
• Proficiency in Python programming, workflow automation, and software/app development to create scalable tools for experimental design, data processing, advanced analytics, visualization, and knowledge-sharing across process development organizations

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Lifting, sitting, standing, walking, bending, ability to perform mathematical calculations and ability to perform complex data analysis

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

• May require occasional work on the weekend for cell culture process-related essential tasks
• May need to travel occasionally to attend internal meetings or external conferences

Other Job Details

Work Location Assignment: On Premise

Eligible for Employee Referral

Relocation support may be available based on business need and eligibility

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.

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.

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $93,600.00 to $156,000.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 12.5% 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 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.