Senior Scientist

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.

This position is part of the Adherent Cell Culture team within Clinical Immunology, Vaccines Research and Development. The successful candidate will provide scientific and operational oversight of cell and reagent supply supporting regulated assay throughput, including preparation and maintenance of relevant regulated documentation.

This role will serve as a subject matter expert in cell culture operations, including establishing and characterizing master cell banks, developing and maintaining processes performed on robotic and automated platforms, and will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams supporting multiple vaccine programs. Key responsibilities include developing strategies to ensure reliable cell supply for assay execution; forecasting resources and capacity; scheduling and prioritizing requests; overseeing reagent supply and qualification; monitoring and trending cell performance; leading troubleshooting and investigations; and participating in relevant cross-functional and program sub-teams. The successful candidate will lead investigations to resolve cell culture and process-related challenges and identify, evaluate, and advance innovative approaches that improve cell culture operations. The role will also provide broader support to Clinical Immunology Biofunctional Assays as business and scientific needs evolve.

Strong adherence to laboratory safety requirements and applicable GLP, GDP, and GxP standards is essential. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required, with responsibility for authoring and contributing to standard operating procedures, technical reports, investigations, and other regulated documentation.

As an integral member of a highly collaborative team, the successful candidate will demonstrate a strong work ethic, scientific rigor, accountability, and a collaborative mindset while working effectively across functions and vaccine programs.

What You Will Achieve

In this role, you will:

• Applicant must have a bachelor's degree with at least 9 years of experience; OR a master's degree with at least 7 years of experience; OR a PhD with 0+ years of experience.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in cell culture operations, providing scientific and operational leadership for manual and automated/robotic processes supporting regulated assay execution.
• Develop and implement strategies to ensure reliable and timely cell supply across vaccine programs, including forecasting capacity, resources, timelines, and prioritization of requests.
• Lead and develop a team of up to six colleagues, providing scientific direction, workload prioritization, coaching, technical development, and performance support.
• Oversee the supply, qualification, and readiness of critical cell culture reagents and materials required for assay execution.
• Design, oversee, and evaluate cell culture studies, including qualification, bridging, troubleshooting, and process improvement activities.
• Monitor cell performance and operational trends; lead investigations, root-cause assessments, and implementation of scientifically sound corrective actions and process improvements.
• Identify and advance innovative technologies and approaches to improve efficiency, robustness, scalability, and automation of cell culture operations.
• Collaborate with Assay Development, Research, vaccine program teams, external partners, and CROs to align cell culture activities, resources, and deliverables with program needs.
• Author, review, and oversee regulated and non-regulated documentation, including SOPs, technical reports, investigations, qualification documentation, and other cell culture records.
• Exercise independent scientific judgment in planning and executing complex activities, interpreting results, resolving operational challenges, and communicating findings, risks, timelines, and recommendations to project and cross-functional teams.
• Contribute to team and project objectives through scientific leadership, effective planning, mentoring and training, and continuous advancement of cell culture capabilities.
• Perform responsibilities in accordance with applicable laboratory safety, GLP, GDP, GxP, training, and other regulatory requirements, while supporting broader Clinical Immunology Biofunctional Assay needs as appropriate.

Here Is What You Need (Minimum Requirements)

• PhD in bioengineering, cell biology, immunology, biotechnology, or a related scientific discipline, with 0–3 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated expertise and hands-on experience in mammalian cell culture and cell-based assays.
• Experience designing, executing, and interpreting scientific studies, including data analysis, troubleshooting, and investigation of process-related issues.
• Ability to apply independent scientific judgment to complex technical and operational challenges and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize activities, manage competing demands, and adapt effectively to changing program needs and urgent assignments.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills, with the ability to provide scientific direction, mentor colleagues, and work effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience developing or improving cell culture methods, processes, or technologies; experience with laboratory automation or robotic cell culture platforms is desirable.
• Excellent organizational, written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate scientific results, conclusions, risks, and recommendations to technical and cross-functional audiences.
• Strong scientific documentation skills, including experience preparing or contributing to SOPs, technical reports, investigations, protocols, or qualification documentation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and relevant scientific/data analysis software.

Bonus Points If You Have (Preferred Requirements)

• PhD in bioengineering, cell biology, immunology, biotechnology, or a related scientific discipline, with 0–3 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading, mentoring, or developing scientific or technical teams, including direct people-management experience.
• Experience with laboratory robotics and automation, particularly automation applied to mammalian cell culture, cell-based assays, or other biological processes.
• Demonstrated interest in laboratory-focused scientific leadership, including advancing new technologies, automation, and innovative approaches to improve laboratory operations.
• Experience supporting regulated laboratory operations, including GLP/GxP environments, qualification activities, investigations, or regulated assay support.
• Experience developing, optimizing, scaling, or transferring mammalian cell culture processes to support assay or program needs.
• Experience with cell culture process monitoring and trending, including identification of performance risks and opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Experience collaborating across Assay Development, Research, operational, and/or program teams to coordinate scientific activities and deliverables.
• Experience working with external scientific partners, vendors, or Contract Research Organizations (CROs).
• Experience using AI and digital productivity tools, including generative AI technologies such as Microsoft Copilot, to support scientific problem-solving, data interpretation, workflow improvement, or productivity, with an understanding of responsible AI use.

 

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

- Work primarily performed in the laboratory and at individual’s desk using a computer.

- The position involves lifting loads that generally do not exceed 20 pounds.

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

This position may occasionally require a non-standard work schedule.

Other Job Details:

• Relocation support available
• Work Location Assignment: On Premise
• Last Day To Apply: December 18th

 

 

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $93,600.00 to $156,000.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 12.5% 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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