Senior Scientist, Molecular and Cellular Bacteriology

Pfizer Inc.; Pearl River (NY); On-site; USD 94,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

Pfizer Inc. in the United States is seeking a Senior Scientist with deep expertise in molecular and cellular bacteriology to support bacterial vaccine preclinical research and development.

The incumbent will enable investigations by generating, analyzing, and interpreting laboratory data in a collaborative, cross-functional environment. You will work with multidisciplinary teams to ensure assay robustness, contribute to study reports and regulatory submissions, and mentor junior scientists.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 9+ years experience or higher in biology.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and apply molecular and cellular assays for bacterial vaccine discovery and development.
• Culture, maintain, and characterize bacterial strains used for assay development.
• Generate and interpret laboratory data to identify and prioritize vaccine target antigens.
• Analyze antigen diversity and expression to assess conservation and breadth of coverage.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to generate high-quality data and integrate datasets.
• Provide data-driven recommendations on antigen selection and vaccine coverage.
• Author study reports, regulatory submissions, abstracts, and peer‑reviewed manuscripts.
• Mentor junior scientists and project teams as appropriate.
• Utilize AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot) to enhance problem solving and productivity.

Skills

Bacterial culture

Molecular assays

Cellular assays

Scientific communication

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree with 9+ years, Master’s with 7+ years, or PhD in biology-related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Scientific software

Job description

Use Your Power for Purpose

At Pfizer, our purpose is to deliver breakthroughs that transform patients' lives. Central to this mission is our Research and Development team, dedicated to translating advanced science and innovative technologies into impactful therapies and vaccines. Whether you are engaged in discovery sciences, ensuring the safety and efficacy of drugs, or supporting clinical trials, you will leverage cutting‑edge design and process development capabilities. Your efforts will accelerate the delivery of best‑in‑class medicines to patients globally, fulfilling Pfizer's commitment to making a meaningful difference in healthcare.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Scientist role is a laboratory-based position and best suited for an experimental scientist with deep expertise in molecular and cellular bacteriology research to support bacterial vaccine preclinical research and development. The incumbent will enable investigations of vaccine induced protective immunity primarily via a microbiological lens of clinical disease‑causing isolates by generating, analyzing, and interpreting laboratory data in a highly collaborative environment. The Senior 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

• Design, develop, optimize, and apply molecular and cellular assays to support bacterial vaccine discovery, development, and real‑world evidence studies
• Culture, maintain, and characterize bacterial strains that are disease‑causing isolates or used for assay development
• Generate and interpret laboratory data to support identification and prioritization of vaccine target antigens
• Analyze antigen diversity and expression across disease‑causing bacterial isolates to assess antigen conservation, prevalence, and potential breadth of vaccine coverage
• Drive cross‑functional collaborations to generate high‑quality data and integrate multidimensional datasets for informed decision‑making
• Provide scientific expertise and data‑driven recommendations on antigen selection and vaccine coverage to support decision‑making
• Author and contribute to scientific documents, including study reports, regulatory submissions, abstracts, and peer‑reviewed manuscripts addressing isolate characterization, antigen relevance, and coverage‑related outcomes
• Provide technical mentorship and scientific guidance to junior scientists and project team members, as appropriate
• 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree (with 9+ years of experience, or Master’s Degree with 7+ years of experience, or a Ph.D. in a biology‑related field).
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience with bacterial culture as well as molecular and cellular assays.
• Experience generating, analyzing, and interpreting complex biological datasets.
• Excellent written and verbal scientific communication skills with demonstrated experience authoring scientific abstracts and peer reviewed publications, and presenting posters or talks at national or international scientific conferences.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to multi‑task and work efficiently and productively in a fast‑paced and highly collaborative environment.
• Proficiency with personal computers including Microsoft Office and relevant scientific software.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Relevant industry experience in vaccine research, infectious disease, or applied biomedical research.
• Experience supporting real‑world evidence, observational, or post‑licensure studies.
• Experience with bacterial vaccine programs, including pathogens with strain or serotype diversity.

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, real‑world evidence generation, and understanding disease‑causing bacterial isolates.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Working in the laboratory includes lifting items.

( 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

Work Location Assignment: On Premise

Last Day to Apply: October 25, 2026

REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

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.

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).

RELOCATION AND AUTHORIZATION

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.

ACCESSIBILITY & ACCOMMODATIONS

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.

AI USE GUIDELINES

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.