Postdoctoral Fellow – AI Enabled GPCR Structural Biology (Cryo-EM)

Pfizer • Groton, CT

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Pfizer is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow with training in structural biology of G protein‑coupled receptors (GPCRs) or other membrane proteins to advance next‑generation structure‑based drug discovery (SBDD) by integrating pharmacology, cryo‑electron microscopy (cryo‑EM), and artificial intelligence (AI)–enabled experimental strategies to interrogate dynamic and pharmacologically relevant GPCR functional states. This role is part of an R&D‑funded, AI‑focused postdoctoral initiative aimed at enabling structural access to GPCR conformations that are currently difficult or impossible to study using conventional approaches. The successful candidate will work at the interface of experimental GPCR pharmacology and high‑resolution cryo-EM structural biology and will have a unique opportunity to collaborate closely with a parallel AI/ML/Computer Science–focused postdoctoral fellow, contributing experimental data and domain insight to an iterative, data‑driven model‑refinement framework that links pharmacology and cryo-EM outcomes with AI‑enabled design.

Requirements

• Ph.D. (completed or near completion) in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Biophysics, Chemical Biology, or a closely related discipline, with research focused on GPCRs or membrane proteins
• Hands-on experience with cryo‑EM workflows, including sample preparation, data processing, and/or structural interpretation, particularly for membrane proteins
• Background in membrane‑protein or GPCR construct design, protein engineering, or experimental triage based on expression, stability, and pharmacological integrity
• Experience curating, analyzing, and interpreting structural and functional datasets and translating insights into structure and pharmacology experimental design strategies
• Proven ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting scientific findings and contributing to publications

Nice To Haves

• Experience with GPCR pharmacology, including biochemical and cell‑based functional assays (e.g., ligand binding, signaling efficacy, pathway bias)
• Demonstrated ability to design, execute, and analyze rigorous quantitative experiments to interrogate complex biological systems
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with computational or AI/ML scientists, including contributing experimental data and domain insight to data‑driven model‑refinement or iterative design–test–learn workflows
• Demonstrated scientific curiosity and ability to help shape project direction within a collaborative discovery setting

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experimental strategies to characterize GPCR functional states that are dynamic, transient, or conformationally heterogeneous
• Curate and analyze published and internal GPCR structural and pharmacological databases to identify features and design strategies that enable high‑resolution characterization of challenging receptor states
• Develop and perform biochemical and cell‑based pharmacology assays (e.g., ligand binding, signaling efficacy, pathway bias) to validate constructs and assess functional relevance
• Triage receptor constructs and experimental approaches based on expression, stability, pharmacological integrity, and suitability for cryo‑EM studies
• Advance prioritized GPCR complexes through single-particle cryo‑EM structure determination, including sample preparation, data analysis, and structural interpretation
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across structural biology, pharmacology, computational sciences, and medicinal chemistry, including close interaction with an AI/ML‑focused postdoctoral collaborator to enable data-driven model refinement
• Communicate scientific findings through internal presentations, written reports, and peer‑reviewed publications
• The postdoctoral fellow is expected to play an active role in shaping the scientific direction of the project and to contribute to the development of scalable experimental strategies that expand Pfizer’s GPCR discovery and SBDD capabilities

Benefits

• We offer comprehensive and generous benefits and programs to help our colleagues lead healthy lives and to support each of life’s moments.
• Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree