Principal Scientist, Pharmaceutical Research & Development
- United States - Washington – Bothell
ROLE SUMMARY
This scientific leadership role sits within Pfizer’s Biotherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences organization and is part of the Pharmaceutical Research & Development (PhRD) department. As Principal Scientist, you will lead formulation development and physio-chemical characterization efforts for Pfizer’s biotherapeutics portfolio (preclinical, clinical, commercial), which includes antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), monoclonal antibodies, and proteins.
Success in this role demands exceptional time management, strong communication skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to work in a cross-functional environment. A broad understanding of formulation design principles, analytical methodologies, biophysical characterization techniques, and process development is essential. The ideal candidate will contribute to regulatory documentation by generating source materials for formulation selection and characterization.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities include:
- Design, execute, and analyze experiments for existing and novel modalities. Define the appropriate parenteral dosage form, formulation, process design, scale up approaches, identify critical parameters, and define the design space
- Support development of novel characterization techniques to characterize formulations to support process development and formulation design.
- Lead experiments to confirm robust process performance across the control space. Compile experimental and analytical results, perform data interpretation, summarize, and report on data with conclusions and recommended next steps
- Provide technical representation and subject matter expertise (SME) in cross functional project teams
- Provides leadership and mentorship to matrixed program team colleagues
- Collect and share relevant academic literature, leverage external consultants/SMEs, and establish new collaborations with internal groups. Optimize current processes to ensure robust manufacturing of Pfizer’s biotherapeutic portfolio
- Interface extensively in a matrixed environment with process and analytical development teams for process investigation support, assess new analytical technologies, support on-going process characterization and post-approval changes.
- Maintain accountability for project success and results delivery.
- Communicate research and development findings internally and externally.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master of Science degree with 9 or more years of industrial experience; or B.S. with 12 or more years of industrial experience in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutics, Analytical Chemistry, Biophysics, Biomedical Eng, Chemical Eng, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biology or equivalent scientific field.
- Experience in formulation development, pharmaceutics, pharmacy or drug product manufacturing or scale-up of biotherapeutics modalities (such as proteins and antibody drug conjugates).
- Excellent leadership and/or mentorship skills.
- Experience with various biophysical and light scattering techniques (DLS, NTA, Coulter Counter, etc.).
- Experience with regulatory filings and submissions.
- Effective communication skills and the ability to write detailed technical reports.
- Exceptional organizational, communication, and critical thinking skills, and the ability to thrive in an interdependent and idea-rich environment.
- Strong work ethic and attention to detail.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- PhD with 4 or more years industrial experience in biotherapeutics formulation and process development.
- Expert understanding and leadership of technical areas necessary for biotherapeutic molecule formulation development.
- Solid foundation in formulation, analytical, chemistry, material science, and/or nano-particle technologies.
- Experience in scale-up and technology transfer of aseptic processes to pilot/commercial scale manufacturing facilities.
- Working knowledge of GLP/GMP requirements.
- Experience in authoring regulatory submissions (IND, IMPD, BLA, MAA).
- Solid understanding of QbD concept in design, execution, and interpretation of formulation and process development experiments.
- Ability to demonstrate autonomy in representing functional area.
Relocation support available
Work Location Assignment: On Premise
Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.
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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.
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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)