Vaccine Upstream Bioprocess Scientist

Pfizer; Pearl River (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Pfizer, headquartered in the United States, seeks an Associate Scientist in Upstream Development for Pearl River, NY to design, develop and optimize microbial fermentation processes supporting vaccine development.

You will screen strains, operate systems up to 75 L, analyze data, and collaborate with cross‑functional teams across bioprocess development. A bachelor’s degree in a related field and experience with fermentation/mammalian culture are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or a related discipline
• Familiarity with the design and execution of microbial fermentation and/or mammalian cell culture experiments
• Solid understanding of microbiology, cell physiology, and biochemical engineering principles
• Experience operating high‑throughput bioreactor systems and benchtop or sterilize‑in‑place fermenters
• Ability to complete familiar tasks with limited instruction and supervision
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment
• Ability to compile, organize, and analyze large data sets using commercial data analytics tools (e.g. Spotfire, Power BI, etc.)
• Experience preparing and delivering clear scientific summary presentations

Responsibilities

• Support the design, development, and optimization of microbial fermentation processes for vaccine antigen production
• Assist with screening and evaluation of microbial strain candidates using high‑throughput fermentation systems
• Operate fermentation systems up to 75 L scale, including media preparation, fermenter setup, process monitoring and control, and product harvest
• Perform fermentation sample analysis using high‑performance liquid chromatography, bioanalyzers, and other analytical instruments
• Evaluate and implement new technologies that enhance fermentation process development capabilities within the group
• Analyze fermentation data and prepare clear summaries for supervisors and cross‑functional project teams
• Document experiments in electronic laboratory notebooks in a timely, accurate, and compliant manner
• Provide occasional support for mammalian cell culture activities, including bioreactor setup, process monitoring, sampling, and data analysis, as program needs require
• Flexible work schedule required to support time‑sensitive fermentation and cell culture experiments, including occasional work outside of core business hours and on weekends

Skills

Team collaboration

Data analysis

Scientific communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or related discipline

Tools

High-throughput bioreactor systems

Benchtop / sterilize-in-place fermenters

Spotfire

Power BI

Job description

Pfizer, headquartered in the United States, seeks an Associate Scientist in Upstream Development for Pearl River, NY to design, develop and optimize microbial fermentation processes supporting vaccine development.

You will screen strains, operate systems up to 75 L, analyze data, and collaborate with cross‑functional teams across bioprocess development. A bachelor’s degree in a related field and experience with fermentation/mammalian culture are preferred.