Principal Scientist, Materials Science

Why Patients Need You  

Pfizer’s purpose is to deliver breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Research and Development is at the heart of fulfilling Pfizer’s purpose as we work to translate advanced science and technologies into the therapies and vaccines that matter most. Whether you are in the discovery sciences, ensuring drug safety and efficacy or supporting clinical trials, you will apply cutting edge design and process development capabilities to accelerate and bring the best-in-class medicines to patients around the world.  

 

What You Will Achieve  

When you join Pfizer, you'll be joining a company and team with a desire to bring new, cutting-edge medicines to patients around the world. As a member of our team, you'll use science and technology to design, characterize and develop the solid form of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and drug product formulations from discovery to commercial launch. You will be able to leverage your existing scientific knowledge, as well as develop in new areas, to evaluate the chemical & physical stability, bio-performance and manufacturability of the drug product across a diverse range of therapeutic areas. 
 
As a pharmaceutical materials characterization scientist, you will utilize our advanced solid-state analytical laboratory to understand and optimize the solid-state structure and particle attributes of Pfizer small molecule drug products.  You will be recognized as a technical expert and a significant scientific contributor. With your deep knowledge of the discipline, you will regularly contribute at the therapeutic area level and can represent the department on multidisciplinary teams. You will be entrusted with setting objectives and planning resource requirements for your project team. You will be using your scientific judgment to adapt standard methods and techniques by applying prior work experience. You will undertake mentoring activities to guide team members.  

 

Through your expertise and extensive knowledge, you will be able to foster a culture that promotes innovation and thrives on doing better for patients and healthcare. 

 

How You Will Achieve It  

• Use solid-state analytical techniques such as x-ray diffraction, thermal methods, IR/Raman spectroscopy, and microscopy as well as mapping and imaging techniques to develop high quality materials and to evaluate physical stability of these materials in formulations.

• Where required, develop methods to detect and monitor API form of the drug substance in the drug product.

• Apply advanced organic solid-state structural knowledge to solve scientific problems by integrating solid-state laboratory data with theoretical methodologies. Provide expert interpretation and contextualization of experimental data to make recommendations for further studies and quality control strategies.

• Participate on multidisciplinary project teams and partner with colleagues to define and recommend screening and characterization strategies according to project timelines and work with crystallization and formulation scientist to optimize materials properties for enhanced performance of drug products.

• Coach, mentor, and collaborate with colleagues within DPD as well as across Pharmaceutical Sciences, contingent workers, and industrial trainees as needed.

• Design and oversee work packages of external partners, provide tactical guidance and critical analysis of raw data.

• Maintaining a contemporary in-depth appreciation of the application of state of the art solid-state and particle analytics to the development of API and pharmaceutical dosage forms and improving our workflows.

• Author scientific proposals for collaboration with internal and external partners and support the authorship of development reports, and regulatory submission documents (e.g., Common Technical Dossier for drug product filings).

 

Qualifications ​

Must-Have  

• A Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, Engineering, Materials Science, (or equivalent subject) with at least 4 years of relevant experience is required, or a MS in Chemistry, Engineering, Materials Science, or Pharmaceutics (or equivalent subject) and at least 9 years of relevant experience is needed. 

• Experience in powder x-ray diffraction, thermal methods, IR/Raman spectroscopy, and microscopy is essential. 

• Strong data analysis skills and knowledge of statistical concepts are also needed. 

• A strong interest and motivation to learn new technologies and concepts is expected. 

• Good organizational skills, the ability to work independently, and excellent oral and written communication skills are required. 

• Lead the development of new scientific approaches and knowledge within the global Material Sciences organization.  

Nice-to-Have  

• Working knowledge of the physical properties needed for drug substance and formulation components (excipients and polymers) to manufacture robust drug products is desirable. 

• Fundamental understanding on crystallization and preparation of salts and co-crystal forms and solvates, hydrates and polymorphs of drug candidates and evaluate these forms for acceptability as drug substances as it relates to chemical manufacturing and formulation into pharmaceutical products. 

• Understanding of particle characterization techniques and the impact of particle and powder properties on drug product performance is advantageous for the role.

• Experience with using contemporary computational approaches to predict the properties and performance of pharmaceutical materials is desired. 

• Experience in formulation design for preclinical studies as well as pharmacokinetic modeling and simulations using GastroPlus, SimCU, or Phoenix is preferred. 

• Experience in characterization of amorphous solid dispersions and DES techniques is an advantage.

• Deep knowledge of the fundamental physical chemistry and materials science concepts such as thermodynamics, kinetics, crystallization, physics of states such as amorphous and crystalline phases, in addition to your strong analytical and mathematical skillset will be critical in this role.

Relocation support available

Work Location Assignment: On Premise

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $99,900.00 to $166,500.00. In addition, this position is eligible for 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. We offer comprehensive and generous benefits and programs to help our colleagues lead healthy lives and to support each of life’s moments. Benefits offered include a 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, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage. Learn more at Pfizer Candidate Site – U.S. Benefits | (uscandidates.mypfizerbenefits.com). Pfizer compensation structures and benefit packages are aligned based on the location of hire. The United States salary range provided does not apply to Tampa, FL or any location outside of the United States.

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

Research and Development

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