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Executive Director & Head Emerging Science Genetics

Employer
Pfizer
Location
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Feb 27, 2021

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Sector
Pharmaceutical, Senior Management
Hours
Full Time
Organization Type
Corporate
Jobseeker Type
Professional
ROLE SUMMARY

Pfizer is making significant investment in the creation of novel, first-in-class therapeutics, by combining internal discovery and validation of drug targets with external partnerships to produce clinical drug candidates for the Pfizer pipeline.

This position is within the Target Sciences (TS) group, which has expertise in human genetics, functional genomics, computational biology, diagnostics, and target validation biology. TS works together with Pfizer's nationwide Centers for Therapeutic Innovation (CTI) within Pfizer broader External Science & Innovation group to deliver a broad and deep pipeline of drug candidates, based on genetics and functional genomics as well as emerging science in the academic world.

The primary responsibilities of this position are to lead and further enhance a world-class applied genetics and computational biology function integrating external and internal genetic, multi omics and other data with the backdrop of deep biology insights to deliver novel target hypotheses enabling start of novel drug discovery projects from emerging science opportunities, and for prioritizing and accelerating existing CTI projects in close collaboration with TS functional genomics, target biology, CTI and Research Unit colleagues.

The position requires deep expertise in computational biology, human genetics, experience with drug discovery strategies and tactics and deep insight into at least one area of human biology as well as strong leadership skills and the ability to lead, as a representative of Pfizer, key academic-industrial partnerships and consortia in support of the TS mission.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
  • The primary responsibilities of this position are to lead and further enhance a world-class applied genetics and computational biology function.
  • Integrating external and internal genetic, multi omics and other data with the backdrop of deep biology insights to deliver novel target hypotheses.
  • Enabling start of novel drug discovery projects from emerging science opportunities, and for prioritizing and accelerating existing CTI projects in close collaboration with TS functional genomics, target biology, CTI and Research Unit colleagues.
  • Will initially oversee 5-10 Staff and report to the VP, Target Sciences.
  • Lead genetics and computational biology efforts of the Target Sciences (TS) department towards new and ongoing programs for Pfizer R&D but with a particular focus on the Centers for Therapeutic Innovation through a combination of functional genomics, data mining and analysis of external and internal genetics and omics data sets.
  • A number of "target exploration networks" with top academics.
  • Additional selected collaborations with academics, biotechs and selected pre-competitive consortia.
  • Understand and evaluate CTI programs and identify opportunities for genetics and computation to existing programs to enable decision making.
  • Apply TS technologies to evaluate the selection of new drug discovery programs within CTI.
  • Design and execute studies defining confidence-in-rationale for targets and the pathway to pursue them, including hands-on analysis within the area of genetics and computation.
  • Ensure excellence in execution of genetics strategies, projects and collaborations including study design, analysis, interpretation and timely delivery / read-out of studies containing a human genetics component.
  • Provide credible expertise in the evaluation, design and management of external collaborations and raise the external profile of Pfizer in the area of genetics, genomics, and computational biology.
  • This includes proactively establishing a strong portfolio of collaborations focusing on assembling unique cohorts, genotype to phenotype, multi-omics and other data assets as well as disease biology experts working closely with the Head of Functional Genomics, Emerging Science Biology and CTI leaders and ES&I scientists.
  • Strong leadership and continuous talent development focus to attract and retain top and diverse talent in a highly competitive environment.


QUALIFICATIONS

Candidate demonstrates a breadth of diverse leadership experiences and capabilities including: the ability to influence and collaborate with peers, develop and coach others, oversee and guide the work of other colleagues to achieve meaningful outcomes and create business impact.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
  • PhD and / or MD in a relevant scientific discipline
  • Deep biology expertise in one or more areas of human disease highly desired


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • More than 10 years of experience on tenure track academic role or industry role in in human genetics with experience in computational analysis and functional genetics and genomics and considered a national / international expert in the field of genetics.
  • Demonstrated track record to innovate in the area of Genetics and computational biology translating genetic loci into novel disease biology or therapeutic hypotheses. Specific knowledge of next generation sequencing, omics technologies, phenotyping approaches and computational analysis to elucidate functional impact of genetic variants with a particular emphasis on holistic integration of multiple technologies for insight generation.
  • Thorough knowledge of genetics of extreme phenotypes and rare disease genetics, complex traits and genetic epidemiology, computational biology and functional genetics / genomics as evidenced, for example, through peer-reviewed original articles in high impact factor journals.
  • A holistic thinker and curious mind that have familiarity with and interest in drug discovery and development processes. Previous experience in pharmaceutical or biotech industry is highly desired.
  • Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain networks and influence key internal and external decision makers, both in a matrix environment and with direct reports; and in public-private consortia.
  • Outstanding leadership and communication skills; ability to build and lead high-performing team.


NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS
  • Moderate travel to other sites, collaborators and conferences expected


ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
  • Reports to VP, Target Sciences (TS)
  • Works closely with the VP TS, TS LT colleagues, ES&I LT colleagues particularly CTI site heads and other senor leaders and the CSO, ESI to develop an end to end process for human genetics and computational biology to support all ES&I needs.
  • Close partnership with CSO and other senior leaders in other Research Units across Pfizer (rare disease, I&I, oncology, CV Metabolic) to generate novel target hypothesis and projects with a particular focus on the CTI portfolio.
  • Works closely with genetics, computational biology and functional genomics groups across Pfizer to establish effective integration and use of best practices.


Other Job Details:
  • Last Date to Apply for Job: February 28, 2021
  • Eligible for Relocation Package: YES
  • Eligible for Employee Referral Bonus: YES


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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.

Research and Development

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