Postdoctoral Fellow – Bacterial Diversity and Vaccine Coverage

Pfizer • Pearl River, NY

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) represents an urgent public health threat, causing severe morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite antibiotic treatments, recurrence remains common due to disruption of the gut microbiota, highlighting a critical need for effective vaccines for primary prevention. Pfizer is committed to advancing vaccine strategies that address this unmet medical need. In this role, you will apply cutting-edge microbiology, genomics, and computational science to better understand bacterial virulence and Pfizer’s vaccine-induced protection, directly supporting efforts to reduce the global burden of CDI. As a Postdoctoral Fellow within Pfizer Vaccines, you will lead an interdisciplinary research project focused on understanding the variability of Clostridioides difficile toxins and its impact on virulence and vaccine-induced breadth of neutralization. You will be trained to operate with increasing scientific independence while collaborating across microbiology, immunology, bioinformatics, and data science disciplines. This work is expected to generate high-impact publications and provide a strong foundation for future scientific leadership in academia or industry.

Requirements

• PhD in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, or a related discipline (completed by start date).
• Pre-doctoral or post-doctoral research investigating microbial pathogenesis, immunology, or molecular microbiology and demonstrating a broader technical expertise working in a biosafety level two (or higher) laboratory.
• Demonstrated experience leading scientific investigations, including analysis and interpretation of complex biological datasets.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with at least: one accepted first-author publication and external conference oral presentation if pursuing a first postdoctoral post, or two accepted first-author publications and external conference oral presentations if pursuing a second postdoctoral post.
• Demonstrated experience participating in a collaborative, interdisciplinary scientific research effort.
• Willingness to make a minimum 2-year commitment.
• Less than 2 years post-doctoral experience.
• Provide two letters of recommendation.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with whole-genome sequencing analysis, comparative genomics, or phylogenetics.
• Hands-on experience with functional cell-based assays, cytotoxicity assays, or toxin neutralization models.
• Familiarity with machine learning, multivariate statistics, or integrative data analysis approaches (e.g., R or Python).
• Experience working with anaerobic or spore-forming bacteria.

Responsibilities

• Lead an interdisciplinary research project focused on understanding the variability of Clostridioides difficile toxins and its impact on virulence and vaccine-induced breadth of neutralization.
• Operate with increasing scientific independence while collaborating across microbiology, immunology, bioinformatics, and data science disciplines.
• Analyze a large, contemporary global collection of C. difficile clinical isolates using whole-genome sequencing to define tcdA and tcdB diversity.
• Relate toxin genotypic variation to toxin production, potency, and cytotoxicity using functional and phenotypic assays.
• Execute toxin neutralization assays to evaluate the breadth of protection conferred by Pfizer’s C. difficile vaccine candidates.
• Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team, apply AI/ML-based computational modeling approaches to integrate high-dimensional genotypic and phenotypic datasets.
• Work with mentors to interpret complex datasets to identify toxin-centric biomarkers associated with disease severity and virulence.
• Present findings through scientific manuscripts, internal reviews, and conference presentations.
• Ensure all tasks and responsibilities are carried out according to scientific, ethical and regulatory standards.

Benefits

• Participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 7.5% of the base salary.
• 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions
• Additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution
• Paid vacation
• Holiday and personal days
• Paid caregiver/parental and medical leave
• Health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage.
• Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees