Postdoctoral Fellow – AI/ML Enabled Bioprocess Modeling and Control
- United States - Massachusetts - Andover
Last day to apply May 24th, 2026
Why Patients Need You
Pfizer’s purpose is to deliver breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Research and Development is at the heart of fulfilling Pfizer’s purpose as we work to translate advanced science and technologies into the therapies and vaccines that matter most. Whether you are in the discovery sciences, ensuring drug safety and efficacy or developing manufacturing processes in support of clinical studies, you will apply cutting edge design and process development capabilities to accelerate and bring the best-in-class medicines to patients around the world.
What You Will Achieve
The Upstream Process Development group within the Bioprocess R&D organization is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow – AI/ML Enabled Bioprocess Modeling and Control. The successful applicant will join a team of scientists and engineers focused on developing and optimizing manufacturing processes for recombinant proteins and other modalities for early- and late-phase human clinical trials.
This role will focus on developing and applying innovative mathematical and computational modeling approaches to characterize, understand, and predict complex biological systems used for recombinant protein vaccine and therapeutic production. The postdoctoral fellow will develop hybrid mechanistic and data‑driven models for mammalian cell culture processes and leverage transcriptomic and other omics data to enable early clone selection based on predicted process performance and generational stability. In addition, the individual will develop a model predictive control (MPC) framework that uses these models to enable real‑time monitoring and control of cell culture processes.
Further, the postdoctoral fellow will design and conduct targeted experiments to generate data for model development, training, validation, and control strategy evaluation. The role will also explore agentic AI approaches to orchestrate model fitting, transfer learning, and deployment across portfolio projects, enabling scalable and adaptive reuse of models for early decision‑making and process control. This position is well suited for a highly motivated scientist with strong expertise in machine learning, systems biology, kinetic modeling, process control, and mammalian cell metabolism.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Develop hybrid mechanistic–data driven models for mammalian cell culture processes supporting recombinant protein production.
Integrate transcriptomic and other omics data as structured inputs for clone specific performance and stability prediction.
Apply machine learning and deep learning methods for phenotypic clustering, parameter estimation, and performance prediction.
Extend existing mechanistic bioprocess models to include additional physiological functions (e.g., amino acid metabolism, regulatory feedback loops) using kinetic, genome scale, or data driven modeling approaches.
Design and implement model predictive control (MPC) frameworks using mechanistic and hybrid models for real time control of critical process variables (e.g., feeding strategies, metabolite control).
Design and execute shake flask, ambr®, or bench scale bioreactor experiments to generate process and omics datasets for model development and validation.
Perform in silico sensitivity and scenario analyses to understand process robustness, control leverage, and drivers of performance and stability.
Validate models and control strategies using historical and new datasets, and deploy them prospectively to support new development programs.
Explore agentic AI frameworks to orchestrate model fitting, validation, and transfer learning across portfolio projects, enabling scalable adaptation of models to new clones and processes with human‑in‑the‑loop decision support.
Maintain rigorous documentation in electronic laboratory notebooks and internal technical reports.
Communicate results effectively through presentations, technical discussions, and peer reviewed publications.
Collaborate with cross functional teams across different time zones and contribute to mentoring junior scientists as appropriate.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
PhD in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Systems Biology, Computational Biology, or a closely related field (0–2 years postdoctoral experience).
Less than 2 years of post-degree (PhD) experience.Willingness to make a minimum 2-year commitment.
Successful record of scientific accomplishments evidenced by scientific publications and/or presentations with at least one first-author publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
Two letters of recommendation are also required prior to interview stage.
Strong foundation in mathematical modeling, chemical/biochemical reaction kinetics, and mammalian cell culture processes.
Proficiency in scientific computing using Python, Julia and/or MATLAB (experience with control toolboxes, optimization solvers, or ML libraries is a plus).
Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills, with the ability to work independently and in interdisciplinary teams.
Demonstrated expertise in machine learning and data‑driven modeling, including regression, classification, clustering, and model validation.
Experience integrating omics data (especially transcriptomics) with mechanistic or hybrid models.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Familiarity with process systems engineering and control concepts, including model predictive control, optimal control, or dynamic optimization.
Experience building modular, reusable AI/ML workflows that support transfer or multi‑task learning across related systems, with familiarity in adaptive decision‑making and human‑in‑the‑loop modeling concepts.
Understanding of CHO cell physiology, central carbon and amino acid metabolism, and regulatory mechanisms relevant to bioprocessing.
Hands‑on experience designing and executing cell culture experiments is highly desirable.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Relocation support available
Work Location Assignment: On Premise
Last day to apply May 24th, 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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Research and Development
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)