Senior Research Scientist, High Content Imaging and Cellular Assay Pharmacology
- United States - Connecticut - Groton
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, dedicated to translating advanced science and innovative technologies into impactful therapies and vaccines. Whether you are engaged in discovery sciences, ensuring the safety and efficacy of drugs, or supporting clinical trials, you will leverage cutting-edge design and process development capabilities. Your efforts will accelerate the delivery of best-in-class medicines to patients globally, fulfilling Pfizer's commitment to making a meaningful difference in healthcare.
We are seeking a highly motivated individual to join our high content imaging lab within the Discovery Biology and Pharmacology (DBP) group at the vibrant Groton campus in Connecticut. DBP is responsible for hit-identification, lead optimization, and molecular characterization of our small molecules and has teams focused on high-throughput screening, DNA-encoded libraries, pharmacology, protein homeostasis platforms, cellular models, functional genomics, and high-content imaging. The group is highly integrated with other groups in Medicine Design including Chemists, Structural Biologists, and Computational Scientists, and supports the small molecule portfolio across multiple therapeutic areas. The individual in this role will partner across groups to enable the portfolio through excellence in cell biology, phenotypic assay development, with a focus on high content imaging and high throughput flow cytometry.
What You Will Achieve
In this role, you will:
Assay development and optimization: Independently develop, optimize, and troubleshoot assays focusing on but not limited to high-content imaging and flow cytometry assays.
Molecular and cell Biology: Leverage molecular and cell biology knowledge and experience to characterize cell models including primary and iPSC-derived cell systems for the development of imaging methods.
Screening and mechanistic studies: Execute routine screens and mechanism-of-action studies using high-content imaging and/or flow cytometry as well as molecular approaches to support programs across target validation, small-molecule identification and optimization, and clinical candidate selection.
Data analysis and reporting: Independently analyze assay data, including applying advanced image-analysis methods to develop and optimize analysis algorithms; perform quality control, process screening data, and communicate results clearly.
Project engagement: Actively engage in project discussions, contribute to decision-making, monitor project progress, and identify biology and pharmacology needs.
Collaborative study design: Partner with project team members and DBP colleagues to design and execute studies that address project needs, interpret data to answer key questions, and help guide project direction when needed.
Leadership: Mentor other scientists to drive team success.
Qualifications
Must Have
Education: PhD in Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Cell Biology, or a related discipline with 1 to 3 years' experience in cellular assay development
Technical expertise: Hands-on experience with high-content imaging and flow cytometry instrumentation, with familiarity in advanced image-analysis methods and software.
Cell models and characterization: Hands-on experience with physiologically relevant cell models (primary cells, iPSC-derived models). Familiarity with cell characterization methods and gene delivery systems.
Scientific foundation: Broad and applied knowledge of cellular and molecular biology, with the ability to connect biological questions to appropriate assay strategies.
Learning agility: Demonstrated ability to acquire relevant disease area biology knowledge efficiently and apply this to a broad range of target classes.
Problem solving: Strong willingness and ability to troubleshoot, solve problems, and overcome technical or scientific challenges.
Collaboration: Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to work efficiently and productively in team-based settings.
Communication: Demonstration of excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Nice to Have
Experience across therapeutic areas such as Internal Medicine, Immunology & Inflammation, or Oncology.
Exposure to functional genomics approaches, including RNA-seq and CRISPR-based methods.
Programming or computational biology experience to support algorithm development and data analysis.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to perform practical laboratory bench work and work on a computer (while standing or sitting).
Ability to perform mathematical calculations and interpret data.
NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS
May periodically be asked to travel to the Pfizer Cambridge, MA site to meet project team members and to attend appropriate meetings and conferences.
Must comply with all laboratory safety practices.
Other Job Details
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.

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.

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)