Postdoctoral Fellow Generative AI for Antibody Drug Conjugate Discovery
- United States - Washington – Bothell
Use Your Power for Purpose
At Pfizer, our purpose is to deliver breakthroughs that transform patients' lives. Central to this mission is our Research and Development team, which strives to convert advanced science and cutting-edge technologies into impactful therapies and vaccines. Whether you are engaged 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 expedite the delivery of top-tier medicines to patients globally.
Role Summary
The Antibody Drug Conjugate Discovery group (ADCD) within the Oncology Research Unit (ORU) at Pfizer is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to help pioneer the integration of generative artificial intelligence and protein engineering for advancing novel ADC technologies. This role will focus on building a robust, reusable AI‑enabled discovery pipeline for protein- and peptide‑based binders, with ADC targeting and payload considerations serving as the foundational design.
As a member of ADC Discovery’s Antibody Engineering Team, this Postdoctoral Fellow will aim to innovate several core pillars of ADC design using AI to optimize target affinity, epitope selection, stability, and efficacy. This role is ideally suited for a Postdoctoral Fellow eager to help implement real‑world applications of generative AI tools, driving efforts from conceptualization through practical execution. In addition to membership in the Antibody Engineering Team, this Postdoctoral Fellow will interact extensively with internal AI leadership across Pfizer and with established external generative‑AI partners, helping to integrate multiple AI tools, platforms, and design philosophies into ADC discovery. The successful candidate will work in a highly collaborative environment to ensure that AI‑driven discoveries are technically sound, experimentally actionable, and impactful for future ADC discovery. This role emphasizes professional development through scientific publication, on-the-job-training, and direct exposure to Pfizer’s world-class Oncology Research Unit.
What You Will Achieve
In this role, you will:
Conduct wet‑lab experimentation, including protein and peptide production as well as cell‑based, cell‑free, and biophysical assays, in close collaboration with internal experts and external CROs.
Generate robust AI and wet-lab experimentation datasets and leverage this combination of outputs to validate, refine, and train generative AI tools and advance promising designs through iterative optimization and experimentation.
Rapidly progress from proof‑of‑concept targets and methodology evaluation to application of the pipeline on high‑value, prioritized oncology targets, advancing state‑of‑the‑art ADC capabilities within Pfizer’s Oncology Research Unit.
Collaborate closely with internal and external generative‑AI partners to align workflows, share technical learnings, and accelerate adoption of emerging AI methodologies in therapeutic discovery.
Independently interpret and analyze data to communicate findings through internal seminars, cross‑functional forums, and generating manuscripts for high-impact peer-reviewed publications.
Help establish scalable, reproducible discovery practices that can be transferred to and adopted by other research teams across Pfizer.
Here Is What You Need (Minimum Requirements):
Ph.D. degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Computational Chemistry, or related discipline.
Less than 2 years of post-degree experience.
Willingness to make a minimum 2-year commitment.
Successful record of scientific accomplishments evidenced by scientific publications and/or presentations with atleast one first-author publication in a high-quality specialty or general readership journals.
Two letters of recommendation are also required prior to interview stage.
Proficiency in developing, conducting and analyzing wet‑lab assays and progression of peptides/proteins through experimental validation, optimization, and follow‑up characterization.
Ability to express and purify proteins (mammalian and bacterial expression systems), QA/QC of recombinant protein (UPLC, SEC, functional assays, DSC/DLS), develop and analyze binding assays (ie. ELISA, FRET, cell-based reporter assays)
Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and produce publishable scientific work.
Strong ability to operate effectively in a highly collaborative, cross‑functional research environment
Bonus Points If You Have (Preferred Requirements):
Experience developing and applying generative AI-enabled pipelines for novel peptide or protein binder discovery, including iterative in silico screening to optimize properties such as diversity, developability, epitope coverage, and affinity (ie. Bindcraft, Boltz, Chai, or related platforms or components thereof (MPNN, AF2, RFDiffusion))
Prior experience in antibody/ADC design, protein or peptide engineering and drug design.
Additional Information
Work Location Assignment: On Premise: Bothell, WA
Relocation support available
Work Location Assignment: On Premise
Last day to apply May 3, 2026
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
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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)