Principal Scientist, Molecular Pharmaceutics

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, technology and innovation to design, characterize and develop drug product formulations from discovery to early clinical studies. 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, modeling and simulation and more.

The Principal Scientist position is a science focused role within the Molecular Pharmaceutics Group at Pfizer Inc. The Molecular Pharmaceutics group supports early-stage drug discovery and drug formulation design, and early clinical drug delivery strategy of new small molecules. The group develops therapies for metabolic disease, immunology/inflammation and anti-infective indications. This role has been designated as a scientific development role, with opportunities to explore, develop and make scientific contributions to the multidisciplinary aspects of oral drug delivery. The individual will develop a strong interest and be responsible for driving fundamental understanding in the physical chemistry of drug formulation and delivery, and exploration of associated common physical phenomenon.

How You Will Achieve It

• Drive to understand the connectivity of molecular structure, complex solution kinetics, thermodynamics, diffusion and permeation of molecules across membranes.
• Understanding of molecular/supramolecular interactions of small molecules in solution/suspension/colloid systems.
• Interest to understand and probe molecular/supramolecular interactions of small molecules in polymer and lipid matrices.
• Experience with existing modeling and predictive and simulation tools for predictive small molecule drug behavior
• Drive to develop novel advanced modeling and simulation tools for predictive characteristics of small molecules, i.e. application of solution thermodynamics and kinetics to understand the transport of small organic molecule drugs across biological membranes.
• Interest and drive to develop fundamental physical chemical and physical organic concepts to improve predictive capabilities and in vitro to in vivo correlation of molecule attributes.
• Maintain an awareness of and contribute to current relevant scientific literature.
• Conduct novel scientific research and present findings via internal and external presentations or publications.

Key Responsibilities

• Molecular Pharmaceutics scientist will provide scientific leadership and input to strategic direction for the understanding of key connectivity of molecular structure, solution behavior, diffusion behavior and permeation characteristics; will apply understanding towards optimal drug and drug delivery system design.
• Applies multidisciplinary fundamentals and principles (from pharmaceutics, physical/physical organic chemistry, biophysical chemistry and/or supramolecular chemistry) to impact drug candidate design and drug deliver.
• Teaches, mentors and coaches’ colleagues across the Pfizer organization.
• Cultivates sustainable and effective relationships with internal scientific and drug development partners and stakeholders and at all group interfaces.
• Advances scientific research and expands capability in the areas of molecular design-drug delivery and drug formulation.

Qualifications

• PhD in Pharmaceutics, Physical Chemistry, Physical Organic Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry or related discipline with 5+ years relevant experience, or BS/MS in Pharmaceutics, Physical Chemistry, Physical Organic Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry or related discipline with a minimum of 7+ years relevant experience.

  Experience/desire for experience in understanding, applying and/or modeling of physicochemical, solubility/dissolution behavior or biophysical transport phenomena.

• 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.
• Strong interest and motivation to learn and implement new technologies, models and concepts.
• Practical experience working within cross-disciplinary teams and achieving results in a matrix environment.
• Excellent organizational and communication (oral and written) skills.
• The ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively across various disciplines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven track record of mentoring and coaching junior scientists.
• Understanding of basic drug discovery and development concepts.
• Experience in actively contributing to and advancing scientific initiatives and external collaborations.
• Collaborative and effective partnering skills applied in a complex, multi-disciplinary organizational model.
• High degree of self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Sitting and standing in office and lab areas.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations.
• Ability to perform complex data analysis.

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

Occasional travel may be required to Pfizer sites in Groton, CT and La Jolla, CA.

Relocation support available

Work Location Assignment:On Premise

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $99,900.00 to $161,600.00. 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 tendersglobal.net (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.

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.

Research and Development