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 supporting clinical trials, 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

When you join Pfizer, you’ll be joining a company and team with a desire to bring new, cutting edge medicines to patients around the world. As a member of our team, you’ll use science and technology to design, characterize and develop the solid form of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and drug product formulations from discovery to commercial launch.   You will be able to leverage your existing scientific knowledge, as well as develop in new areas, to evaluate the chemical & physical stability, bio-performance and manufacturability of the drug product across a diverse range of therapeutic areas.

As a Principal Scientist, you will be a laboratory-based position with responsibility for investigating and understanding the particle and surface properties of Pfizer’s drug molecules.  Responsibilities include generating particle and surface property data using state-of-the-art instrumentation and computer models and interpreting the data to allow new medicines to be brought to the market.  He/She serves on multidisciplinary project teams and is responsible for defining the preferred physical and surface attributes (particle shape/particle size/surface energy) of pharmaceutical powders needed for optimum performance.  The position is based in Groton, CT (USA).

Through your expertise and extensive knowledge, you will be able to foster a culture that promotes innovation and thrives on doing better for patients and healthcare.

How You Will Achieve It

• Develop particle and surface characterization tests for developing robust drug products that meet manufacturability, stability and bioperformance requirements.
• Conduct physical and surface characterization of powders of pharmaceutical relevance.  This includes particle characterization (e.g., particle size, shape) and surface characterization (e.g., surface energy, surface roughness).
• Apply state-of-the-art computational approaches to predict the properties and performance of powder samples.
• Oversee the work of external partners conducting laboratory studies and provide tactical guidance and critical analysis of raw data.
• Participate on multidisciplinary project teams and collaborate with colleagues to define and implement characterization strategies according to project timelines.
• Provide materials science support for colleagues in other departments as well as collaborate with project teams in defining the drug development strategy.
• Draft and review sections of regulatory submissions.
• Coaches and mentors laboratory scientists in the design, execution, and analysis of materials science data.
• Lead the development of new scientific approaches and knowledge within the global Materials Science organization.

Qualifications

Must-Have

• A Ph.D. in chemistry, engineering, materials science, or pharmaceutics (or equivalent subject) at least 4 years of relevant experience.

• The candidate should have experience in powder characterization (such as polarized light microscopy, electron microscopy, image analysis, laser diffraction methods, etc) and surface property testing (e.g., inverse gas chromatography, EDX, atomic force microscopy, etc) for fine powders.  

• Strong data analysis skills and knowledge of statistical concepts 

• A strong interest and motivation to learn new experimental and computational technologies and concepts

• Good organizational skills, the ability to work independently, and excellent oral and written communication skills 

• Strong foundational understanding of basic principles of physical, organic and analytical chemistry
  

Nice-to-Have

• Experience with using contemporary computational approaches to predict the properties and performance of pharmaceutical materials
• Understanding of the physical properties needed for drug substance manufacture and formulation into drug product
• Experience in particle/powder characterization (such as polarized light microscopy, electron microscopy, image analysis, laser diffraction methods, etc) and surface property testing (e.g. EDX, atomic force microscopy, etc) for fine powders

 

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

No special physical/mental requirements are needed for this position

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

none

Relocation support available
Work Location Assignment: On Premise

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $99,900.00 to $171,500.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 15.0% 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.

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