Senior Scientist, Biophysics

Why Patients Need You

Pfizer's purpose is to deliver breakthroughs that change patients' lives. Research and Development is at the heart of fulfilling Pfizer's purpose as we work to translate advanced science and technologies into the therapies and vaccines that matter most. Whether you are in the discovery sciences, ensuring drug safety and efficacy or supporting clinical trials, you will apply cutting edge design and process development capabilities to accelerate and bring the best in class medicines to patients around the world.

ROLE SUMMARY

Pfizer Oncology R&D in La Jolla, California has an open position at a senior scientist level in the Biophysics lab within the Biochemistry and Quantitative Pharmacology group. We are an integrated and highly collaborative team of colleagues with technical expertise in biochemistry, biophysics, enzymology, and cell biology. The successful candidate will operate with high degree of independence to characterize drug-protein and protein-protein interactions using label-free biophysical methods. In addition, characterization of drug interaction may occur through other biochemical or cellular methods. The preferred candidate will be a highly motivated, talented, and innovative scientist with a desire to pursue challenging biomolecular targets for drug discovery. He or she will have significant knowledge in protein science and biophysical binding methods and will directly contribute to advance our cancer drug discovery portfolio at a technical and strategic level.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate for this position will:

• Work independently as a discipline expert to characterize small molecule-protein interactions using label-free biophysical methods (SPR, ITC, protein thermal stability-based assays like DSF/ CETSA, MST)
  
• Regularly represent biophysics group on multi-disciplinary teams to provide scientific insights into kinetics and thermodynamics of protein-ligand interactions
  
• Display growing knowledge and understanding of other disciplines relevant to early stage drug discovery
  
• Mentor and train colleagues in biophysical methods
  
• Identify and integrate emerging biophysical technologies to strengthen current capabilities within the group
  

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD degree in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Structural Biology, or closely related field with 3-5 years of drug discovery experience in a pharmaceutical, biotech or academic laboratory setting. BS/MS degree in Biophysics with 5 - 7 years of direct experience in characterizing protein-small molecule interactions.
  
• Demonstrated expertise in the use of label-free biophysical methods (SPR, ITC, MST, DSF) for characterization of protein-ligand interactions
  
• Hands on experience in high-throughput screening and plate-based pharmacology
  
• Experience in handing a diverse range of recombinant proteins as tools in biochemical or biophysical assays
  
• Knowledge and understanding in the area of enzymology, mechanisms of drug action and structural biology
  
• Outstanding publication record reflecting scientific drive and creativity across multiple disciplines
  
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills to facilitate knowledge sharing and scientific discussions, a team player
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in fragment or small-molecule screening using biophysical methods
  
• Experience in cellular thermal stability assays (CETSA) for target engagement is desirable but not required
  
• Relevant experience in the area of difficult-to-drug targets would be valued
  

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Candidate will be required to lift and transport large stacks and boxes of plates, plate stackers/hotels, and 4L bottles of liquids for use with the automated equipment regularly.
  
• Candidate may need to use step stools to climb and reach items above eye level.
  
• Candidate will also diagnose and repair equipment with various tools occasionally.
  
• Must be able to work safely in a laboratory environment with lab coat, protective eye wear and gloves.
  
• The job can require standing and walking for most of the day regularly.
  

Other Job Details

Eligible for Relocation Package

Eligible for Employee Referral Bonus

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