Senior Scientist, Molecular and Cellular Bacteriology
About The Position
This laboratory-based Senior Scientist role supports bacterial vaccine preclinical research and development. The position is suited to an experimental scientist with deep expertise in molecular and cellular bacteriology who can investigate vaccine-induced protective immunity using clinical disease-causing bacterial isolates. The scientist generates, analyzes, and interprets laboratory data in a highly collaborative environment. The role works closely with cross-functional partners to ensure assay approaches are scientifically robust, fit for purpose, and aligned with program objectives, while representing the research function on multidisciplinary vaccine teams. The successful candidate demonstrates scientific independence, strong collaboration and communication skills, and the ability to influence across disciplines without formal authority. The position requires technical depth and commitment to high-quality assay data that supports bacterial vaccine development, real-world evidence generation, and understanding disease-causing bacterial isolates. Work location assignment is on premise. Occasional travel of approximately 5% to scientific meetings, other company sites, or external partners may be required. Relocation support may be available based on business needs and eligibility. Occasional weekend or evening work may be needed to meet critical business timelines. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States by any employer; U.S. work visa sponsorship is unavailable.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree with 9 or more years of experience, or a master’s degree with 7 or more years of experience, or a Ph.D. in a biology-related field.
- Hands-on experience with bacterial culture and molecular and cellular assays.
- Experience generating, analyzing, and interpreting complex biological datasets.
- Excellent written and verbal scientific communication skills.
- Demonstrated experience authoring scientific abstracts and peer-reviewed publications, and presenting posters or talks at national or international scientific conferences.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to multitask and work efficiently and productively in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment.
- Proficiency with personal computers, Microsoft Office, and relevant scientific software.
- Curiosity about how AI tools can improve outcomes and understanding of responsible AI practices, including risk management and ethical use.
Nice To Haves
- Relevant industry experience in vaccine research, infectious disease, or applied biomedical research.
- Experience supporting real-world evidence, observational, or post-licensure studies.
- Experience with bacterial vaccine programs, including pathogens with strain or serotype diversity.
Responsibilities
- Design, develop, optimize, and apply molecular and cellular assays to support bacterial vaccine discovery, development, and real-world evidence studies.
- Culture, maintain, and characterize disease-causing bacterial isolates or strains used for assay development.
- Generate and interpret laboratory data to support identification and prioritization of vaccine target antigens.
- Analyze antigen diversity and expression across disease-causing bacterial isolates to assess conservation, prevalence, and potential breadth of vaccine coverage.
- Drive cross-functional collaborations to generate high-quality data and integrate multidimensional datasets for informed decision-making.
- Provide scientific expertise and data-driven recommendations on antigen selection and vaccine coverage.
- Author and contribute to scientific documents, including study reports, regulatory submissions, abstracts, and peer-reviewed manuscripts addressing isolate characterization, antigen relevance, and coverage-related outcomes.
- Provide technical mentorship and scientific guidance to junior scientists and project team members, as appropriate.
- Use common AI tools, including generative technologies such as ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot, to support problem solving and enhance productivity, applying responsible AI practices, risk management, and ethical use.
Benefits
- 401(k) plan with Pfizer matching contributions and an additional Pfizer retirement savings contribution.
- Paid vacation, holidays, and personal days.
- Paid caregiver, parental, and medical leave.
- Medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage.
- Eligible to participate in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan, with a bonus target of 12.5% of base salary.
- Eligible to participate in a share-based long-term incentive program.
- Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and eligibility.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
