Senior Scientist, Colloids & Suspensions
- United States - Missouri - St. Louis - Chesterfield
Job Summary
The Senior Scientist will serve as a subject matter expert in colloidal and suspension characterization. The candidate will be an individual technical contributor within the Biotherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences organization, supporting formulation and process development for complex biotherapeutic modalities, including vaccines. The role requires strong scientific judgment, advanced material characterization capability, and the ability to derive meaningful structure–property insights that inform formulation design, process robustness, and product understanding. The successful candidate will apply modern characterization and data analysis approaches to interrogate material attributes, product behavior, and processing outcomes. This position requires a high level of technical independence, cross-functional collaboration, and clear scientific communication.
Primary Responsibilities
Design and execute studies aimed at developing structure–property relationships that clarify how formulation components, material attributes, and processing conditions influence product performance and manufacturability.
Apply a range of advanced physical characterization and visualization techniques—including microstructural assessment, targeted rheological evaluation, and quantitative image or morphology analysis—while selecting the appropriate methods based on scientific need.
Develop and utilize enhanced data processing approaches (e.g., multivariate analysis, computational visualization, image derived metrics) to translate complex data into clear, mechanistic understanding.
Integrate experimental findings into formulation and process development strategies, supporting identification of critical attributes, definition of design spaces, and establishment of robust process controls.
Prepare high-quality technical documentation, including study protocols, data summaries, technical reports, and cross-functional presentations, ensuring clear articulation of scientific rationale and conclusions.
Evaluate and implement emerging analytical technologies or workflows that enhance organizational capability in physical characterization, material assessment, or predictive understanding.
Provide scientific input to cross-disciplinary project teams, contributing to problem-solving, technical investigations, and data driven decision-making.
Basic Qualifications
PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physical Chemistry, or a related discipline with 0–3 years of experience, M.S. with 7+ years of relevant experience; or B.S. with 10+ years of relevant industry experience.
Demonstrated experience characterizing complex formulations and interpreting physical property data in a mechanistic context.
Familiarity with techniques used to characterize physical behavior and microstructure (e.g., colloid characterization, microscopy-based methods, quantitative imaging).
Strong data analysis skills, including statistical interpretation and integration of multimodal datasets.
Proven ability to independently design, execute, and interpret complex studies with scientific rigor.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present and justify scientific conclusions effectively.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with vaccine formulations or other complex biologic drug products.
Working knowledge of process development principles, including scaleup considerations, critical attribute identification, and risk-based development frameworks.
A demonstrated track record of scientific impact through publications, presentations, or technology development.
Relocation support available
Work Location Assignment: On Premise
Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

Candidates must be authorized to be employed in the U.S. by any employer.
U.S. work visa sponsorship (such as TN, O-1, H-1B, etc.) is not available for this role now or in the future.

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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)