Associate Research Fellow
- United States - Massachusetts - Cambridge
ROLE SUMMARY:
The key strategic focus within the Internal Medicine Research Unit (IMRU) is identifying novel therapies to prevent or treat metabolic diseases such as obesity and cardiovascular disease. Our goal is to build a world-class research team of dedicated scientists committed to developing a deep mechanistic understanding of the metabolic pathways underlying disease pathogenesis.
As a senior scientific leader and member of the obesity discovery biology team, this individual will play a significant role in shaping the scientific direction for the obesity therapeutic area and influencing broader IMRU research strategy and portfolio priorities. The individual will help create and drive discovery research strategy across multiple programs, including target ideation, validation, translational biomarker strategy, hypothesis testing, and early clinical development within the IMRU obesity portfolio.
The successful candidate will lead through both direct team leadership and influence across multidisciplinary partners, helping align scientific decisions across discovery biology, translational sciences, clinical, computational, and external collaborators. The individual will identify emerging therapeutic opportunities, advance portfolio programs with scientific rigor and urgency, and represent research strategies to internal leadership and the external scientific community. Knowledge and experience in the study of metabolic pathways are essential, and familiarity with the pathophysiology of dysmetabolic states would be advantageous. Strong self-motivation, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to lead, mentor, and build scientific capability in a highly collaborative environment are essential.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Shape and influence the scientific direction for discovery research programs aligned with IMRU therapeutic area and portfolio strategy.
Apply creative thinking and scientific expertise to formulate strategies that identify, prioritize, and validate therapeutic targets in key areas of interest to the Internal Medicine Research Unit.
Maintain awareness of cutting-edge scientific and technical developments in preclinical-to-clinical translation and apply these insights to advance portfolio programs and identify emerging opportunities.
Guide research priorities across multiple programs by integrating mechanistic biology, translational feasibility, biomarker strategy, and portfolio impact.
Conceptualize, design, and oversee rigorous in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro studies, including experimental design, data collection, interpretation, and presentation.
Quantify and translate experimental results to advance understanding of how metabolic pathways and complex physiological systems are altered by disease and respond to therapeutic intervention.
Lead a research team of lab heads and scientists, providing supervision, coaching, and mentorship to develop skills essential to rigorous scientific research and drug discovery execution.
Lead through influence across multidisciplinary teams and key stakeholders, driving scientific alignment and decision-making where accountability extends beyond direct reporting lines.
Build and facilitate strategic collaborations with partners in the academic scientific community, the broader Pfizer network, and external experts to strengthen scientific insight and portfolio impact.
Establish external scientific leadership through peer-reviewed publications, scientific presentations, conference engagement, and thought leadership in relevant areas of metabolic disease biology.
Present and represent research programs, portfolio recommendations, and scientific strategy to Pfizer leadership and governance forums.
Ensure that all research and discovery work is conducted with the highest quality and ethical standards and in accordance with relevant regulatory, QC, and compliance guidelines.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
PhD, MD, or MD/PhD with postdoctoral research experience and 12+ years of experience leading research groups and supervising scientists in an industry or academic setting.
Successful track record of scientific achievement through high-impact publications, presentations, and recognized contributions to the scientific community.
Demonstrated ability to critically review complex data, think creatively, formulate novel hypotheses, and translate scientific insight into actionable discovery strategy.
Deep expertise in metabolism and/or signaling pathways relevant to obesity (CNS neurocircuitry or peripheral metabolism), with the ability to apply mechanistic insight to therapeutic target identification and validation.
Experience performing and/or leading in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo experiments relevant to metabolic disease biology.
Demonstrated ability to influence multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders, including the ability to drive decisions and align priorities without direct authority.
Demonstrated ability to contribute to and advance multiple projects in parallel with learning agility, scientific rigor, and portfolio-level judgment.
Experience developing scientific talent through mentorship, coaching, and building organizational capability.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to represent research strategy and portfolio recommendations to scientific, governance, and leadership audiences.
Candidate demonstrates a breadth of diverse leadership experiences and capabilities including: the ability to influence and collaborate with peers, develop and coach others, oversee and guide the work of other colleagues to achieve meaningful outcomes and create business impact.
NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS:
Some travel to scientific conferences and other Pfizer sites expected.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
Last date to apply is August 30, 2026
Work Location Assignment: This is a hybrid role requiring you to live within commuting distance and work on-site an average of 2.5 days per week.
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.

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Research and Development
Breakthroughs that change patients’ lives
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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.
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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.
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Pfizer Research & Development
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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
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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.
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