Senior Associate Scientist, Viral Vaccines

Pfizer is hiring a Senior Associate Scientist to support preclinical evaluation and early clinical development of mRNA- and protein-based viral vaccines. The role performs and develops immunoassays to monitor immune responses to vaccine candidates and contributes to assay development, data interpretation, and laboratory research.

Responsibilities

• Perform assays to analyze immune responses to vaccine candidates that include (but are not limited to) cell culture, neutralization assays, other functional antibody assays, Luminex, and ELISAs in BSL-2 environments
• Generate, characterize and tract critical reagents for preclinical bio-functional studies to support vaccine development
• Assist with preclinical bio-functional assay development and train other analysts on established technologies. Apply technical skills and functional knowledge to complete projects/ assignments independently and proactively
• Perform data analysis; summarize and interpret experimental results and present at team meetings
• Read scientific and technical literature to stay current in the field and to bring new and improved technologies to the laboratory
• Maintain laboratory notebooks in compliance with the Pfizer Laboratory Notebook Policy
• Stay current on all departmental and corporate training
• Perform other duties as assigned

Preferred

• Pharmaceutical and biotech vaccine research experience
• Experience with handling infectious agents such as respiratory viruses
• Experience with adherent and suspension cell lines
• Experience with independent development and troubleshooting bioassays designed to assess antibody functionality
• Advanced experience in generating protocols using Bravo Automated Liquid Handling Platform
• Expert in Microsoft Excel (advanced formulas and functions)
• Vaccine Research
• Pharmaceutical Research
• Biotechnology Research
• Infectious Agent Handling
• Respiratory Virus Experience
• Adherent Cell Culture
• Suspension Cell Culture
• Bioassay Development
• Bioassay Troubleshooting
• Antibody Functionality Assessment
• Bravo Automated Liquid Handling
• Protocol Development
• Advanced Microsoft Excel
• Advanced Excel Formulas
• Independent Work

Benefits

• Eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 7.5% of the base salary.
• A 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions
• An additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution
• Paid vacation, holiday and personal days
• Paid caregiver/parental and medical leave
• Health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage
• Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

Company

• Biopharmaceutical medicines and vaccines development
• New York, New York, USA
• http://www.pfizer.com/
• Founded in 1849
• 10001+ employees

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biological Engineering, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Physical Sciences, or a related discipline with 3 to 5 years of laboratory research experience in a relevant field of science OR Masters Degree with 0 to 3 years of experience
• Basic laboratory skills in the areas of cell-based assays
• Experience with experimental design and interpretation of results
• The capacity to work effectively in highly visible research programs with time-constrained milestones
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency in software to perform analysis and presentation of data (Excel, GraphPad Prism, PowerPoint, and relevant scientific software)
• Strong motivation with a dedicated work ethic
• Basic laboratory training in aseptic technique is essential
• Ability to work with infectious agents safely
• Math skills for basic laboratory calculations
• 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
• This position requires permanent work authorization in the United States
• Pharmaceutical and biotech vaccine research experience
• Experience with handling infectious agents such as respiratory viruses
• Experience with adherent and suspension cell lines
• Experience with independent development and troubleshooting bioassays designed to assess antibody functionality
• Advanced experience in generating protocols using Bravo Automated Liquid Handling Platform
• Expert in Microsoft Excel (advanced formulas and functions)
• Bachelor's degree in Biological Engineering, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Physical Sciences, or a related discipline with 3 to 5 years of laboratory research experience in a relevant field of science OR Masters Degree with 0 to 3 years of experience.

Required skills

• Adherent and Suspension Cell Culture, Antibody Functionality Bioassays, Aseptic Technique, Bravo Automated Liquid Handling Platform, Cell-Based Assays, Experimental Design, Experimental Results Interpretation, GraphPad Prism, Infectious Agent Handling, PowerPoint, Vaccine Research

Preferred skills

• Experience with adherent and suspension cell lines, Expert in Microsoft Excel (advanced formulas and functions), Pharmaceutical and biotech vaccine research experience

Experience

• Mid level