Senior Principal Scientist, Pre-Formulation and Materials Science

Pfizer • San Diego, CA

12h • Onsite

About The Position

This Senior Principal Scientist position will be a strong scientific and leadership role within the Early Formulation Science and Drug Delivery (EFS-DD) group, supporting early-stage drug and drug product design, materials science characterization and strategy, and biopharmaceutics understanding as well as early clinical drug delivery strategy of new small molecules. The selected candidate will interface with multi-disciplinary research project teams and cross functional management to provide guidance, input and direction on molecular design, dosage form design, solid form strategy, and biopharmaceutics aspects of pre-clinical and clinical candidate development. The role will also focus on developing and demonstrating leadership and drug delivery strategy skills within the Drug Product Design and Supply department which functions as part of the larger Pharmaceutical Sciences division.

Requirements

• PhD in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Materials Science, Physical Chemistry, Physical Organic Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry or related discipline with 8 + years relevant experience in drug delivery, or BS/MS in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Materials Science, Physical Chemistry, Physical Organic Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry or related discipline with a minimum of 10-12 years relevant pharmaceutics industry experience in small molecule drug product design.
• Knowledge in biology/pharmacology/drug discovery /drug delivery up to Proof of Concept (POC) studies.
• Small molecule Formulation and/or early Biopharmaceutics, Materials Science, or Pharmacokinetics background, and a strong record of scientific achievement.
• Experience in using and interpreting biophysical modeling, physicochemical (solubility & dissolution) and biological (passive, transporter mediated, efflux) transport phenomena, design, interpretation, and use of in vitro experiments, or in vivo/in vitro drug metabolism studies, and interpretation of pre-clinical exposure data for the design and selection of new small molecule drug candidates and drug delivery systems
• A strong interest and motivation to learn and implement new technologies and concepts.
• A strong interest in leadership
• Extensive practical experience working within cross-disciplinary teams and achieving results in a matrix environment.
• Excellent organizational and communication (oral and written) skills.
• The ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively.
• This position requires permanent work authorization in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Proven track record of supervising, mentoring and coaching scientists.
• Understanding of drug discovery and development concepts
• Experience in actively developing and advancing scientific initiatives and external collaborations.
• Collaborative and effective partnering skills applied in a complex, multi-disciplinary organizational model.
• Candidate demonstrates a breadth of diverse leadership experiences and capabilities including: the ability to influence and collaborate with peers, develop and coach others, oversee and guide the work of other colleagues to achieve meaningful outcomes and create business impact.

Responsibilities

• Will provide scientific advances, leadership, and strategic direction for the fundamental understanding of key connectivity of molecular structure, solution and diffusion behavior and permeation characteristics to enable optimal drug formulation and drug delivery systems design
• Integrates pharmaceutics, physical organic chemistry, biophysical chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, materials science, and fundamental biopharmaceutics principles into drug candidate screening and design, formulation design, solid form strategy, and ultimately project direction
• Teach and mentor colleagues across the Pfizer organization
• Cultivates sustainable and effective relationships with internal partners and stakeholders, i.e., partner lines in Medicinal Design, Pharmaceutical Sciences Small Molecule (PSSM), Clinical Pharmacology , Drug Safety (DSRD), relevant Research Units, and Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, and Metabolism (PDM)
• Advances scientific research and expands capability in the areas of molecular design-drug delivery, materials science, early biopharmaceutics, and drug formulation

Benefits

• 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
• Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

What This Job Offers

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