Senior Principal Scientist, Bioprocess Development
- United States - New York - Pearl River
ROLE SUMMARY:
We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Principal Scientist to lead the Polysaccharide Fermentation and Purification Development group within Vaccines, Early BioProcess Development. The successful candidate will lead the group, provide strategic, innovative scientific and technical leadership for upstream and downstream bioprocess development supporting diverse vaccines portfolio.
This role is part of a cross-functional team focused on polysaccharide fermentation and purification process development for carbohydrate- and other modality-based conjugate vaccines. The successful candidate will be responsible for the development of scalable manufacturing processes across microbial fermentation, purification and scale up, shaping process development plans, integrating technical input across disciplines, mentoring scientific staff, managing risks, and influencing key program decisions from early-stage development through technology transfer and clinical manufacturing readiness.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Lead and develop a high-performing team of upstream and downstream process development scientists and engineers, drive the vaccines program, while setting scientific direction, establishing priorities, building technical capability, and ensuring high standards for rigor, quality, and accountability.
Drive development of robust, scalable, and transferable manufacturing processes.
Provide strategic leadership, serve as a strategic scientific owner for vaccine programs by defining process development strategy, aligning technical plans with program objectives, and ensuring decisions are informed by scientific evidence, manufacturability, timelines, and regulatory expectations.
Collaborate closely with colleagues across EBPD, Vaccines, BTxPS, and PGS organizations to support integrated process development and product advancement.
Partner with cross-functional projects team, provide project updates, technical strategies, risks, propose mitigation plans, communicate trade-offs, and drive alignment among all stakeholders.
Lead technology transfer strategy for developed processes to internal and external clinical manufacturing sites, including preparation and review of process descriptions, technical packages, risk assessments, process control rationale, and troubleshooting plans.
Foster innovation through adoption of emerging bioprocess technologies, automation, digital tools, and data-driven approaches that enhance process efficiency, product quality, scalability, and robustness.
Continuously evaluate process performance, equipment capabilities, and experimental workflows to identify gaps, mitigate risks, and propose practical improvements.
Mentor and develop scientific talent while building organizational capability and succession strength.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
PhD in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or a related discipline, with a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience.
Demonstrated expertise in vaccine process development, preferably for capsular or exopolysaccharides, conjugate vaccines, bacterial antigens, carrier proteins, or other microbial-based vaccine platforms.
Hands-on technical depth in microbial fermentation and developing polysaccharide recovery and purification processes.
Strong knowledge of polysaccharide critical quality attributes, in-process controls, design of experiments, scale-down model development, and process characterization.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams, including process development, analytical, formulation, quality, regulatory, and manufacturing groups, to advance complex vaccine development programs.
Ability to drive projects, translate scientific strategies into executable development plans, manage competing priorities, and guide teams through ambiguity while maintaining accountability for program deliverables.
Experience authoring and reviewing development reports, process descriptions, technology-transfer packages, risk assessments, and CMC content, with practical understanding of quality-by-design principles, data integrity, and phase-appropriate regulatory expectations for clinical manufacturing.
Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills to effectively influence and collaborate in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary team environment.
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.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
Standard laboratory conditions – sitting, standing, primarily lab based
Ability to perform mathematical calculations and ability to perform complex data analysis
ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
Work Location Assignment: On Premise
Last date to apply is September 28, 2026
The annual base salary for this position ranges from $124,400.00 to $207,400.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 17.5% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program. We offer comprehensive and generous benefits and programs to help our colleagues lead healthy lives and to support each of life’s moments. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage. Learn more at Pfizer Candidate Site – U.S. Benefits | (uscandidates.mypfizerbenefits.com). Pfizer compensation structures and benefit packages are aligned based on the location of hire. The United States salary range provided does not apply to Tampa, FL or any location outside of the United States.
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.
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)