Senior Principal Scientist, Bioprocess Development
About The Position
The Senior Principal Scientist will lead the Polysaccharide Fermentation and Purification Development group within Vaccines, Early BioProcess Development, providing strategic scientific and technical leadership for upstream and downstream process development across a diverse vaccine portfolio. The role focuses on polysaccharide fermentation and purification for carbohydrate- and other modality-based conjugate vaccines, and on developing scalable manufacturing processes from microbial fermentation through purification and scale-up. The position shapes process development plans, integrates technical input across disciplines, mentors scientific staff, manages risks, and influences program decisions from early-stage development through technology transfer and clinical manufacturing readiness. It also serves as a strategic scientific owner for vaccine programs, aligning process strategies with program objectives and scientific evidence, manufacturability, timelines, and regulatory expectations.
Requirements
- PhD in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or a related discipline.
- At least 8 years of relevant experience.
- Demonstrated expertise in vaccine process development, preferably involving capsular or exopolysaccharides, conjugate vaccines, bacterial antigens, carrier proteins, or other microbial-based vaccine platforms.
- Hands-on technical depth in microbial fermentation and development of polysaccharide recovery and purification processes.
- Strong knowledge of polysaccharide critical quality attributes, in-process controls, design of experiments, scale-down model development, and process characterization.
- Ability to collaborate across process development, analytical, formulation, quality, regulatory, and manufacturing functions.
- Ability to drive projects, translate scientific strategies into executable development plans, manage competing priorities, guide teams through ambiguity, and maintain accountability for deliverables.
- Experience authoring and reviewing development reports, process descriptions, technology-transfer packages, risk assessments, and CMC content.
- Practical understanding of quality-by-design principles, data integrity, and phase-appropriate regulatory expectations for clinical manufacturing.
- Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills to influence and collaborate in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment.
- Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including influencing peers, developing and coaching others, and guiding colleagues' work.
- Must be authorized to work in the United States by any employer; U.S. work visa sponsorship is unavailable, and permanent U.S. work authorization is required.
Responsibilities
- Lead and develop a high-performing team of upstream and downstream process development scientists and engineers; set scientific direction and priorities, build technical capability, and uphold rigor, quality, and accountability.
- Drive development of robust, scalable, and transferable manufacturing processes.
- Define process development strategies for vaccine programs and align technical plans with program objectives.
- Collaborate across EBPD, Vaccines, BTxPS, and PGS organizations to support integrated process development and product advancement.
- Provide project updates and technical strategies, identify risks and mitigation plans, communicate trade-offs, and align stakeholders.
- Lead technology-transfer strategy to internal and external clinical manufacturing sites, including preparation and review of process descriptions, technical packages, risk assessments, process-control rationale, and troubleshooting plans.
- Promote adoption of emerging bioprocess technologies, automation, digital tools, and data-driven approaches to improve efficiency, product quality, scalability, and robustness.
- Evaluate process performance, equipment capabilities, and experimental workflows to identify gaps, mitigate risks, and recommend improvements.
- Mentor and develop scientific talent and build organizational capability and succession strength.
- Oversee and guide colleagues' work to achieve meaningful outcomes and business impact.
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.
- Medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage.
- Eligibility to participate in Pfizer's Global Performance Plan, with a bonus target of 17.5% of base salary.
- Eligibility to participate in a share-based long-term incentive program.
- Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
