Senior Computational Chemist
- United States - California - La Jolla
Why Join MLCS in Medicine Design
Pfizer Medicine Design brings together medicinal chemistry, discovery sciences, and MLCS to invent medicines that deliver meaningful benefits to patients. MLCS plays a central role in enabling data centric and ML-driven discovery, with opportunities to make impact directly on drug discovery projects through clear communication of actionable insights.
Position Summary
The Machine Learning & Computational Sciences (MLCS) organization within Medicine Design at Pfizer partners broadly across R&D to deliver computational, cheminformatics, and machine learning (ML) capabilities that accelerate drug discovery and development. MLCS supports medicinal chemistry and drug design teams by enabling data-driven decision making, scalable cheminformatics platforms, and impactful scientific applications across the discovery pipeline.
We are seeking a Senior Computational Chemist with a strong cheminformatics background and a proven track record of independent scientific delivery. The ideal candidate is expected to lead applied computational and cheminformatics efforts across project teams, develop and shape technical approaches across multiple initiatives, and contribute durable, reusable capabilities that strengthen MLCS platform infrastructure and influence how computational chemistry and cheminformatics is best practiced across Medicine Design. With strong communication skills and adept at building productive partnerships, the successful candidate will thrive working in cross-functional teams with talented scientists across disciplines.
Key Responsibilities
Chemistry Data Enablement (Data Science / Data Engineering):
Lead the design, curation, and application of high-quality chemistry and pharmacology datasets used across multiple discovery programs.
Architect and deploy data pipelines and transformations that enable scalable, reproducible data analytics and modeling.
Set expectations for data quality and fitness-for-purpose in collaboration with scientific and platform stakeholders.
Applied ML and Cheminformatics:
Independently frame ambiguous medicinal chemistry problems into clear computational strategies and decision-support analyses.
Drive the application of ML and Cheminformatics models to high-impact drug discovery questions.
Critically assess model performance and limitations, guiding appropriate interpretation and use in project decisions.
Rapid Prototyping & Front-End Development:
Deliver robust, reusable, and well-documented scientific software aligned with modern best practices.
Lead rapid prototyping of chemistry and cheminformatics applications to validate workflows and user experience with end users.
Partner closely with chemists and software teams to evolve successful prototypes into production-ready solutions.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Delivery:
Effectively bridge chemistry, data science, and software perspectives to align stakeholders around robust solutions.
Influence projects through technical insight, credibility, and data-driven recommendations.
Contribute to the scientific culture of MLCS through knowledge sharing, internal talks, and cross-team collaboration.
Required Qualifications
Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry, Cheminformatics, Computer Science, or related fields; or M.S. with substantial relevant industry experience.
Deep understanding of cheminformatics concepts, including molecular representations, similarity methods, QSAR, virtual screening, chemical spaces
Experience analyzing large, complex chemistry-related datasets.
Strong proficiency in Python and cheminformatics toolkits (RDKit or equivalent).
Experience with standard data science packages (numpy, pandas, etc)
Proven experience applying ML models in real-world discovery projects.
Practical experience with rapid application or UI prototyping in a scientific context.
Preferred Qualifications
Prior experience in pharmaceutical or biotech drug discovery environments.
Familiarity with deploying and scaling scientific workflows and applications.
Experience with database design and processing (SQL, RestAPI).
Experience in large-scale data handling and developing data pipelines.
Familiarity developing code in collaborative manner (GitHub, code review & sharing).
Familiarity working in HPC (e.g. SLURM) or cloud-based (AWS, GCP) environments.
Familiarity with efficient use of agentic coding environments (GitHub Copilot or equivalent)
Additional Information
Relocation support available
Work Location Assignment: Hybrid

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $106,000.00 to $176,600.00. 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.

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.

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.
To learn more about acceptable and prohibited uses of AI during the recruitment process, please review our candidate AI-use guidelines available on Pfizer Careers.

Information & Business Tech
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)