Principal Scientist, In Vitro Pharmacology

Pfizer • Cambridge, MA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

At Pfizer, our purpose is to deliver breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Your work will directly impact the development of therapies and vaccines that improve patients' lives globally. By leveraging advanced science and cutting-edge technologies, you will play a crucial role in transforming innovative ideas into life-changing medical solutions. Whether you are involved in discovery sciences, ensuring drug safety and efficacy, or supporting clinical trials, your contributions will be vital in accelerating the delivery of top-tier medicines to patients worldwide.

The key strategic focus within the Internal Medicine Research Unit (IMRU) is identifying novel therapies for the treatment of obesity and cardiovascular diseases. As a member of the In Vitro Pharmacology team, you will be playing a significant role in the early drug discovery process by developing in vitro screening assays using pharmacology expertise in GPCRs, enzymes, and other target protein classes. In addition, you will contribute to the mechanistic understanding of emerging therapeutic hits, support lead optimization efforts, and work collaboratively with project teams and across partner lines to advance programs into the clinic. Strong technical and problem-solving skills, self-motivation, communication skills, and the ability to both lead as well as thrive as part of a team are essential.

Requirements

• BA/BS and 12 years or MS and 9 years or PhD and 4 years of relevant experience in biochemistry, cell biology and/or pharmacology.
• Experience supporting in vitro screening in a drug discovery environment involving a diverse mix of GPCR, enzyme, and other protein classes as pharmacological targets, with strong plate-based pharmacology background.
• Experience with Mechanism of Action (MoA) or molecular pharmacology work, including hands-on experience with traditional and novel screening methodologies and concepts related to GPCR and enzyme drug discovery, signaling and trafficking.
• Background on cell-based assay development and extensive mammalian cell culture experience.
• Scientific rigor with demonstrated ability to review critically available data and think independently and creatively in formulating and testing novel scientific hypotheses.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team in a collaborative environment.
• Strong scientific writing skills supported by a successful record of publications in high-impact pharmacology journals and presentations at international conferences (Google Scholar links etc.)
• Ability to mentor junior colleagues both technically and scientifically.

Nice To Haves

• Industry and cardiometabolic experience are a plus.
• Lab automation experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop assays for in vitro screening using binding, signaling and functional endpoints and support low to medium throughput screening.
• Validate in vitro cell models using immortalized, primary cells, and co-culture systems and adapt to cell-based screening assays at the required throughput.
• Independently conceptualize, design and conduct in vitro studies aimed at dissecting the complex molecular pharmacology of emerging therapeutic modulators targeting GPCRs, enzymes, and other protein classes within the IMRU portfolio.
• Apply rigorous data analytical methods to ensure robust scientific interpretation of results.
• Translate experimental results to advance understanding of target biology and help define how physiological endpoints are impacted by pharmacological agents.
• Facilitate and co-author manuscript submissions and publication to high impact peer-reviewed journals.
• Maintain an awareness of ‘cutting edge’ scientific and technical developments in preclinical to clinical translation and apply these to advance portfolio programs.
• Ensure that all research/discovery work is conducted with highest quality and ethical guidelines and in accordance with relevant regulatory, QC, and compliance guidelines.

Benefits

• participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 15.0% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program
• 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
• health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage

What This Job Offers

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