Senior Scientist, Early Formulation Science and Drug Delivery, Drug Product Design
- United States - California - La Jolla
Use Your Power for Purpose
At Pfizer, our purpose is to deliver breakthroughs that change patients' lives. Central to this mission is our Research and Development team, which strives to translate advanced science and cutting-edge technologies into the therapies and vaccines that matter most. Whether you are involved in discovery sciences, ensuring drug safety and efficacy, or supporting clinical trials, your role is crucial. You will leverage innovative design and process development capabilities to accelerate the delivery of best-in-class medicines to patients around the globe.
ROLE SUMMARY
This position will be reporting into the Early Formulation Science and Drug Delivery group at the La Jolla, California location. In this position you will act as a resident pharmaceutical science subject matter expert to influence small molecule early drug candidate selection with respect to drug delivery, bio-performance, and stability. You will closely collaborate with colleagues in Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacokinetics & Drug Metabolism, and Clinical Pharmacology. You will be responsible for designing, implementing, and interpreting in vitro, in silico, and in vivo experiments, as well as design of stage-appropriate traditional and enabled formulations for preclinical studies. In addition to formulation, you will be responsible for material science and physicochemical properties assessments of early drug candidates. This includes laboratory measurements and interpretation of the data to inform manufacturing, bio-performance, and stability risks for development of the drug candidates.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Evaluate the physicochemical properties of potential small molecule drug candidates to inform a drug product formulation strategy and developability risk assessment
- Design and develop fit for purpose and diagnostic traditional and enabled formulations for preclinical studies
- Design, execute, and interpret the results of polymorph and salt screens for potential drug candidates related to stability, manufacturability, and bio-performance
- Apply first principles understanding of thermodynamics and kinetic processes to dissolution and precipitation of drugs in biorelevant conditions and physical and chemical stability in the solid state.
- Work in cross-disciplinary teams and partner with subject matter experts in Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacokinetics & Drug Metabolism, and Clinical Pharmacology departments to influence candidate selection and progression.
- Develop strategic collaborations with academic and industrial researchers for addressing gaps in fundamental or applied science related to the pharmaceutical sciences
- Conduct novel research and present significant findings via internal and external presentations or publications
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Recent PhD with 0-3 year post-doctoral experience, MS with 7+ years experience, or BS with 8+ years experience in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physical Chemistry, Physics, Physical Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, or Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Experience working independently and collaboratively in a laboratory environment
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in designing and conducting hypothesis driven laboratory experiments
- Experience with application of fundamental principles to solve complex problems
- Generating, interpreting, and integrating experimental data into mathematical models to progress the understanding of complex materials and processes
- Experience in pharmacokinetic modeling and simulations using Gastroplus or similar modeling software
- Experience with data structuring and capture
- Experience with formulation design for preclinical studies as well as awareness of drug product design criteria for phase 1 clinical trials
- Strong organizational skills, interpersonal skills, teamwork skills, strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and activities while managing tight timelines
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Includes activities in both laboratory and office settings; Candidate must be able to perform routine laboratory tests and procedures. Ability to perform mathematical calculations and ability to perform complex data analysis.
NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS
Occasional travel may be required
Relocation support available
Work Location Assignment: On Premise
The annual base salary for this position ranges from $90,900.00 to $151,500.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 12.5% 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.
Sunshine Act
Pfizer reports payments and other transfers of value to health care providers as required by federal and state transparency laws and implementing regulations. These laws and regulations require Pfizer to provide government agencies with information such as a health care provider’s name, address and the type of payments or other value received, generally for public disclosure. Subject to further legal review and statutory or regulatory clarification, which Pfizer intends to pursue, reimbursement of recruiting expenses for licensed physicians may constitute a reportable transfer of value under the federal transparency law commonly known as the Sunshine Act. Therefore, if you are a licensed physician who incurs recruiting expenses as a result of interviewing with Pfizer that we pay or reimburse, your name, address and the amount of payments made currently will be reported to the government. If you have questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your Talent Acquisition representative.
EEO & Employment Eligibility
Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Pfizer is an E-Verify employer. This position requires permanent work authorization in the United States.
Pfizer endeavors to make www.pfizer.com/careers accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process and/or interviewing, please email disabilityrecruitment@pfizer.com. This is to be used solely for accommodation requests with respect to the accessibility of our website, online application process and/or interviewing. Requests for any other reason will not be returned.
Breakthroughs that change patients’ lives
Research confirms what intuition tells us: that purpose-driven companies perform better, are more innovative, attract and retain the best people, and know how to unleash the power of those people. Pfizer’s purpose—Breakthroughs that change patients' lives—fuels everything we do and reflects our passion for building on our legacy as one of the greatest contributors of good to the world.
Each word in our purpose has meaning and reflects the value we strive to bring to patients and society:
“Breakthroughs” - These are the innovations, scientific and commercial, that we seek to deliver every day. All colleagues, regardless of role, level or location, strive for breakthroughs every day.
“Change” - We want to do more than simply improve patients’ medical conditions; we want to dramatically change their lives for the better.
“Patients’ lives” - We consider not only patients, but everyone they touch—including their families, caregivers, and friends—and everything they love to do. It’s an intentionally holistic view.
Our purpose ensures that patients remain at the center of all we do. We live our purpose by sourcing the best science in the world; partnering with others in the healthcare system to improve access to our medicines; using digital technologies to enhance our drug discovery and development, as well as patient outcomes; and leading the conversation to advocate for pro-innovation/pro-patient policies.
Every decision we make and every action we take is done with the patient in mind—and to nurture an environment where breakthroughs can thrive.
Our Values
To fully realize Pfizer’s purpose, we have established a clear set of expectations regarding “what” we need to achieve for patients and “how” we will go about achieving those goals.
The “how” is represented by four simple, powerful values—courage, excellence, equity, and joy—that define our company and our culture.
Courage: Breakthroughs start by challenging convention, especially in the face of uncertainty or adversity. This happens when we think big, speak up, and are decisive.
Excellence: We can only change patients’ lives when we perform at our best together. This happens when we focus on what matters, agree who does what, and measure our outcomes.
Equity: We believe that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and cared for. This happens when we are inclusive, act with integrity, and reduce healthcare disparities.
Joy: We give ourselves to our work, but it also gives to us. We find joy when we take pride, recognize one another, and have fun.
Pfizer Research & Development
Pfizer Research & Development serves as the beating heart of Pfizer's trailblazing product pipeline, the essence of our mission to bring life-changing medicines to the world.
With an unwavering commitment to innovation, we use a multidisciplinary approach that blends scientific expertise, cutting-edge technologies, and strategic collaborations, igniting a powerful engine that propels groundbreaking discoveries into life-saving treatments for patients in need.
Through our relentless pursuit of progress, we envision a future where cutting-edge medicines pave the way to healthier, happier lives worldwide.
Benefits at Pfizer
Pfizer offers competitive compensation and benefits programs designed to meet the diverse needs of our colleagues. Our Pay for Performance Philosophy and Practices reward colleagues based on the contributions they make to our business.
Our Competitive Benefits Programs help our colleagues by:
- Promoting Health and Wellness to help colleagues maintain and improve their physical and mental wellbeing. Pfizer offerings include health and disability insurance, preventative health programs, medical screenings, free or reduced-cost vaccinations, discounts on Pfizer products, mental health support, nutrition and fitness counseling and more.
- Strengthening Colleagues’ Financial Security by providing company contributions to retirement plans, life insurance and financial planning education to help colleagues achieve their financial goals.
- Providing Benefits and Time off for the Moments that Matter to ensure Pfizer colleagues have the time away from the office to recharge, recover and return to work as the best version of themselves. Vacation, Holiday time and Sick time are just the beginning, with a 12 week parental leave policy for both parents of a new born, 10 day of caregiver leave for those times when your family needs you whether it’s a child, spouse or parent, bereavement leave, and additional country-specific programs.
- And so much more, depending on your country and site, Pfizer offers childcare facilities or discount programs, on-site health and/or fitness centers, movement and mindfulness solutions, “Log in for your Day” work flexibility and so much more.
For U.S. based jobs, view an overview of Pfizer’s U.S. benefits program (opens in a new window)