Senior Scientist
- United States - California - San Diego

Our Purpose
Our Values
Pfizer Research & Development
Benefits
Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, La Jolla, CA
Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development in La Jolla, CA is seeking a highly motivated scientist to join the Structural Biology and Protein Sciences (SBPS) Group within the Department of Oncology Medicinal Chemistry. The SBPS mission is to enable oncology drug discovery through expert protein production, biophysical interrogation, and structure-based insight, delivering high quality protein tools and data required to accelerate medicinal chemistry and translational decisions. The position will primarily support the small molecule portfolio, with opportunities to enable emerging targets and novel therapeutic modalities.
Role Responsibilities
This position is laboratory-based and best suited for an experimental scientist with deep expertise in protein expression, purification, biophysical characterization, and crystallization of challenging targets. The successful candidate for this position will:
- Work under supervision as a technical expert in the gene-to-structure pipeline, from construct design and expression through advanced purification, biophysical characterization, high-throughput crystallization and orthologous structure enablement including sample and grid preparation to enable cryo-EM.
- Support multiple small molecule oncology drug discovery programs in parallel.
- Collaborate with colleagues in Structural Biology and Protein Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry, Biophysics, Enzymology and Computational Chemistry, serving as protein sciences and structural biology resource on multidisciplinary teams and providing clear data, troubleshooting, and high-quality experimental insight to enable rapid decision making.
- Identify and integrate emerging protein and structural biology technologies to strengthen current capabilities within the group.
Required Qualifications
- B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Biochemistry, Structural Biology, Protein Sciences or a related discipline, with 9+ years of relevant experience for a Bachelor’s degree, 7+ years for a Master’s degree, or 0+ years' experience required for a Ph.D.
- Extensive hands‑on laboratory experience in advanced protein biochemistry, with a proven track record of producing high‑quality protein samples from exceptionally challenging targets for structural and biophysical studies.
- Expertise in protein construct design, expression across multiple systems, and complex, multi‑step purification workflows, including development of fit‑for‑purpose proteins to support crystallography, structure‑based drug discovery, biochemical assays and hit identification screens
- Strong background in biophysical characterization (e.g., stability, oligomeric state, SPR, ITC, BLI) to assess protein quality and guide construct, purification, and ligand strategies.
- Hands‑on experience in protein crystallization and small‑molecule co‑crystallization, including condition screening, optimization, and crystal improvement.
- A track record reflecting experimental rigor, creativity, and productivity in protein sciences and structural biology.
- Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, highly collaborative, and multi‑project research environment.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with commitment to collaborative science, knowledge sharing, and inclusive teamwork.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with various protein classes and multi-protein complexes, including strategies to stabilize and optimize samples for downstream structural, biochemical and biophysical analysis
- Hands‑on experience with protein purification and crystallization instrumentation, including chromatography systems, crystallization platforms, and automated crystal imaging and screening technologies.
- Experience with cryo‑electron microscopy workflows including sample optimization and grid preparation
- Experience applying ML/AI‑enabled approaches to protein engineering, construct design, or structure determination.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Must be able to work safely in a laboratory environment with lab coat, protective eye wear and gloves. The job requires standing, walking for most of the day regular workday with occasional lifting of moderately heavy lab utilities. Candidate may need to use step stools to climb and reach items above eye level. Candidate will also diagnose and repair equipment with various tools occasionally.
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.

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.
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.
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)
