Skip to main content

This job has expired

Principal Scientist, Vaccine Formulation & Process Development

Employer
Pfizer
Location
Andover, Massachusetts
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Apr 23, 2021

View more

Sector
Science, Pharmaceutical, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance
Hours
Full Time
Organization Type
Corporate
Jobseeker Type
Professional
We are hiring a Principal Scientist, Vaccine Formulation & Process Development, an opening within the Pharmaceutical Research & Development (PhRD) department in Pfizer's Biotherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences organization. This scientific leadership role will be responsible for formulation development, investigating physico-chemical characterization methods, scale up and tech transfer of Pfizer's vaccine portfolio in a dynamic and highly interdisciplinary environment to support pre-clinical and clinical development all the way up to commercialization. In addition, the candidate should be able to contribute formulation selection and characterization source documentation to support regulatory submissions. This position requires exceptional time management and communications skills with a strong attention to detail. A breadth of knowledge of analytical tools and techniques applied to materials science, antigen-adjuvant interaction understanding and characterization for formulation design, process development and scale up approaches and general pharmaceutical R&D is required.

Responsibilities

The incumbent candidate will be responsible for conducting experiments in support of developing, evaluating and characterizing novel formulations/processes, components and supporting delivery technologies for diverse therapeutic modalities including (but not limited to) RNA-based therapeutics/vaccines, nanoparticle modality, mammalian and microbial fermentation derived candidate molecules, vaccines, plasmids, and peptides. This individual function cooperatively with other members of the team to achieve the project goals. The incumbent displays technical awareness in various aspects of drug discovery and development, a strong drive in learning new techniques and scientific commitment, and impactful scientific and technical contributions within the PhRD team and the respective project teams. Specific responsibilities include:
  • Design, execute, and analyze experiments for existing and novel modalities
  • Define the appropriate parenteral dosage form, formulation, process design, scale up approaches, identify critical parameters, and define the design space
  • Support development of novel characterization techniques to characterize formulations to support process development and formulation design.
  • Support development of novel characterization techniques to characterize antigen-adjuvant interactions to support process development and formulation design.
  • Lead experiments to confirm robust process performance across the control space. Compile experimental and analytical results, perform data interpretation, summarize, and report on data with conclusions and recommended next steps
  • Investigate, develop and characterize vaccine therapeutics and prepare technical reports, communicate findings internally and externally, and present in cross-functional meetings
  • Collect and share relevant academic literature, leverage external consultants/SMEs, and establish new collaborations with internal groups. Optimize current processes to ensure robust manufacturing of Pfizer's biotherapeutic portfolio
  • Interface extensively in a matrixed environment with process and analytical development teams for process investigation support, assess new analytical technologies, support on-going process characterization and post-approval changes.
  • Maintain accountability for project success and results delivery.
  • Contribute to scientific and strategy discussions to advance and enhance platforms and product candidates.
  • Communicate research and development findings internally and externally.


Qualifications
  • M.S. with 8 or more years of industrial experience, or B.S. with 10 or more years of industrial experience in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutics, Analytical Chemistry, Biophysics, Biomedical Eng, Chemical Eng, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Virology, Biology or equivalent scientific field.
  • Experience in vaccine formulation and process development.
  • Experience in defining dosage forms and driving projects in early and late stage development is desired.
  • Experience with a variety of analytical techniques including UV, Fluorescence, HPLC, LCMS, CE, GC, NMR, KF, IR, DSC.
  • Effective communication skills and the ability to write detailed technical reports.
  • Solid foundation in Formulation, analytical, chemistry, material science, and antigen-adjuvant characterization.
  • Experience with various biophysical and light scattering techniques (DLS, NTA, Coulter Counter, etc.).


Preferred Qualifications
  • PhD with 4 or more years industrial experience in vaccine formulation and process development.
  • Experience in a cGMP setting.
  • Early and Late stage process development experience is preferred.
  • Demonstrates ownership and can see things through (end-to-end).
  • Sound understanding of when decisions should be made / elevated.
  • Conceives and drives line initiatives, technology development and CMC strategy.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with others in a dynamic and highly collaborative environment.
  • Exceptional organizational, communication, and critical thinking skills, and the ability to thrive in an interdependent and idea-rich environment.
  • Strong work ethic and attention to detail.


Experience with vaccine formulation and process development in all stages of development
  • Good understanding of various vaccine antigens and adjuvant systems.
  • Demonstrated ability to trouble-shoot antigen and adjuvant formulation, manufacturing processes and scale-up issues.
  • Experience with biophysical characterization of vaccines.


Additional Posting Information
  • Eligible for Employee Referral Bonus
  • Eligible for Relocation


#LI-PFE

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

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert