Principal Scientist - Bacterial Immunoassays (PhD only)

$99,900 - $166,500/Yr

Pfizer - Pearl River, NY

Full-time - Senior

Pearl River, NY

Chemical Manufacturing

About the position

Pfizer's purpose is to deliver breakthroughs that change patients' lives. Pfizer Vaccines Research and Development is at the heart of fulfilling Pfizer's purpose as we work to translate advanced science and technologies into vaccines that matter most. You will apply cutting edge design and process development capabilities to accelerate and bring the best-in-class vaccines to patients around the world. The primary purpose of Principal Scientist - Bacterial Immunoassays (PhD only) job is to provide expertise and support in assay development and immunology for early-stage bacterial vaccine programs. The incumbent will apply skills in immunology and host-pathogen interactions to design assays and experiments to aid the selection of vaccine candidates and generate preclinical data to validate and support proof of concept for novel vaccine candidates and formulations/platforms (e.g. subunit, polysaccharide conjugate, mRNA vaccines, novel adjuvants). Accordingly, the candidate should have experience with associated cell-based and immunological in vitro assays that measure the host response to the infecting pathogen. Experience in ex vivo assays to monitor and evaluate infection and immune responses in animal models is preferred. The incumbent may also collaborate with microbiologists to answer program critical questions about host-pathogen interactions. A strong focus on hands-on experimental work as individual contributor at the lab bench is expected. In addition to contributing individually, the scientist may supervise the activities of junior colleagues (formally or informally) and lead research projects. The successful candidate will have a unique opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary team on a wide range of vaccine immunology research projects. Excellent communication skills and the ability to work a multifunctional matrix environment are essential for the success of this candidate. This is an exciting opportunity for candidates with strong critical thinking skills and who wants to work in a robust collaborative environment. The candidate will be expected to conduct experiments in the wet lab, manage laboratory and data analysis responsibilities to achieve team goals.

Responsibilities

• Use knowledge of immunology to develop and execute in vitro assays to measure immune responses to immunization and understand vaccine mechanism of protection.
• Development ex vivo assays to support animal model development.
• Provide expertise and hands-on support in immunology and host-pathogen interactions for bacterial vaccine programs.
• Plan and execute complex experiments to further project goals.
• Lead collaborations with cross functional groups e.g. in vivo and clinical assay teams.
• Contribute original ideas and participate in project planning for individual and team goals.
• Independently design, develop and characterize serological assays.
• Interpret and summarize experimental data.
• Research and design experiments to resolve technical problems.
• Present original data at internal and external scientific meetings.
• Stay current in research tools and emerging approaches to evaluate immune responses to vaccination and host-pathogen interactions.
• Maintain laboratory notebook in a detailed and descriptive manner.
• Satisfactorily completes all cGMP/GLP and safety training in conformance with departmental requirements.
• Electronic documentation of lab work in a detailed fashion, summarizing and reporting data in an organized fashion.
• Prepare results for presentation, inclusion in technical reports, and for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Requirements

• PhD in immunology, microbiology, or host-pathogen interactions with a minimum of 4 years of relevant post-graduate experience, preference for industrial experience.
• Demonstrated data analysis skills and strong publication record is required.
• Direct management and leadership experience, preferably in an industry setting.
• Hands on experience with in vitro assays to measure immune responses and biomarkers of infection: IgG binding assays, opsonophagocytic assays, neutralization assays, cytokine or other biomarkers.
• Experience with animal models of infection and ex vivo assays to measure biomarkers of infection.
• Excellent critical thinking, communication and organizational skills.
• The position requires strong analytical, quantitative and leadership skills in addition to exceptional multi-tasking capabilities and organizational skills.
• Incumbent must be able to effectively communicate complex ideas and concepts through excellent writing, oral presentation and teaching skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and relevant scientific software, including graphing/statistical analysis tools is required.

Nice-to-haves

• Knowledge of human and murine immunology
• Knowledge of T-cell immunology and experience running relevant assays, including experience with multicolour flow cytometry and FACS sorting to measure and analyze immune responses.
• Hands on experience with development of serological assays
• Experience designing and interpreting experiments using T- and B-cell receptor sequencing, single cell RNA-seq.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions
• Paid vacation
• Holiday and personal days
• Paid caregiver/parental and medical leave
• Health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage