Senior Scientist – Molecular Biology, Viral Vaccines
- Pfizer Inc.
- Location: Pearl River, NY
- Job Number: 7111576 (Ref #: 4865627)
- Posting Date: Sep 23, 2022
- Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
Job Description
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
The Viral Vaccines group is seeking an experienced lab-based molecular virologist to support development of RNA-based viral vaccines. The successful applicant will play a fundamental role in developing and implementing an innovative molecular strategy for rapid and accurate generation of DNA templates for RNA production and related virus rescue. The use of viral molecular and synthetic technologies will also support production of candidate RNA constructs and viruses for pre-pandemic and pandemic vaccine development. The incumbent should possess a strong scientific curiosity and rigor and a strong background in molecular biology and RNA virology research.
The incumbent will apply molecular and biochemical techniques to support RNA based vaccine program and other viral research programs in the Viral Vaccines group. The incumbent will work closely with the group leader, project teams, supporting lines and team members to drive the design and execution of in vitro studies, and take a “hands on” role to support laboratory activities.
How You Will Achieve It
Combine expertise in molecular biology, synthetic biology, nucleic acid chemistry, and virology techniques to help build an efficient pathway to convert virus sequence data into RNA vaccine constructs, and synthetic related viruses.
Perform RT-qPCR/ddPCR, western blot, immunofluorescence assay to evaluate RNA vaccine candidates, and to investigate/understand the mechanism for next generation RNA vaccine candidates.
Work in a dynamic background team to contribute to the development of RNA stabilization for immunization.
Conduct and implement in vitro transcription assay to produces high-quality RNA and develop/perform analytic assay for RNA quality evaluation.
Mentor junior scientists’ activities and provide technical guidance when necessary. Maintain high technical quality and initiate problem solving for all technical issues related to the area of expertise. Incumbent will analyze experimental data, draw conclusions, and propose future research plans.
Coordinate and communicate experimental results in a timely manner. Present experimental results at appropriate meetings with group members and senior management. Write progress reports and provide concise summaries of project status to team members and group leader.
Keep current on scientific and technical literature and attend relevant scientific meetings in order to apply new technologies and/or scientific principles.
Accommodate multiple projects or tasks and work efficiently on assigned research projects.
Satisfactorily complete all safety training in conformance with Departmental requirements. Where applicable, performs job responsibilities in compliance with cGMP/GLP and all other regulatory agency requirements.
QUALIFICATIONS
Must-Have
Bachelor's degree and 9+ years of relevant experience, Masters degree with 7+ years of experience, PhD with 0+ years of relevant experience
Self-motivated and able to work effectively as part of a cross-functional team.
Highly organized, detail-oriented is essential.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.
Proficiency with Geneious Prime, DNA Sequencher, Graphpad Prism/Excel, and relevant scientific software is desirable.
Nice-To-Have
PhD with 0-3 years of relevant experience preferably in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology environment preferred
Relevant virology R&D experience using state-of-the art technologies
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Training in molecular biology, synthetic biology, and virology is essential. Relevant work experience in a laboratory setting is essential, including ability to work with infectious agents safely. The capacity to work effectively in a highly visible research program with time-constrained milestones.
NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS
This position requires occasional weekend work to meet critical timelines.
OTHER INFORMATION
Work Location Assignment: On Premise
Other Job Details:
Eligible for relocation package
Eligible for employee referral bonus
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
The Viral Vaccines group is seeking an experienced lab-based molecular virologist to support development of RNA-based viral vaccines. The successful applicant will play a fundamental role in developing and implementing an innovative molecular strategy for rapid and accurate generation of DNA templates for RNA production and related virus rescue. The use of viral molecular and synthetic technologies will also support production of candidate RNA constructs and viruses for pre-pandemic and pandemic vaccine development. The incumbent should possess a strong scientific curiosity and rigor and a strong background in molecular biology and RNA virology research.
The incumbent will apply molecular and biochemical techniques to support RNA based vaccine program and other viral research programs in the Viral Vaccines group. The incumbent will work closely with the group leader, project teams, supporting lines and team members to drive the design and execution of in vitro studies, and take a “hands on” role to support laboratory activities.
How You Will Achieve It
Combine expertise in molecular biology, synthetic biology, nucleic acid chemistry, and virology techniques to help build an efficient pathway to convert virus sequence data into RNA vaccine constructs, and synthetic related viruses.
Perform RT-qPCR/ddPCR, western blot, immunofluorescence assay to evaluate RNA vaccine candidates, and to investigate/understand the mechanism for next generation RNA vaccine candidates.
Work in a dynamic background team to contribute to the development of RNA stabilization for immunization.
Conduct and implement in vitro transcription assay to produces high-quality RNA and develop/perform analytic assay for RNA quality evaluation.
Mentor junior scientists’ activities and provide technical guidance when necessary. Maintain high technical quality and initiate problem solving for all technical issues related to the area of expertise. Incumbent will analyze experimental data, draw conclusions, and propose future research plans.
Coordinate and communicate experimental results in a timely manner. Present experimental results at appropriate meetings with group members and senior management. Write progress reports and provide concise summaries of project status to team members and group leader.
Keep current on scientific and technical literature and attend relevant scientific meetings in order to apply new technologies and/or scientific principles.
Accommodate multiple projects or tasks and work efficiently on assigned research projects.
Satisfactorily complete all safety training in conformance with Departmental requirements. Where applicable, performs job responsibilities in compliance with cGMP/GLP and all other regulatory agency requirements.
QUALIFICATIONS
Must-Have
Bachelor's degree and 9+ years of relevant experience, Masters degree with 7+ years of experience, PhD with 0+ years of relevant experience
Self-motivated and able to work effectively as part of a cross-functional team.
Highly organized, detail-oriented is essential.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.
Proficiency with Geneious Prime, DNA Sequencher, Graphpad Prism/Excel, and relevant scientific software is desirable.
Nice-To-Have
PhD with 0-3 years of relevant experience preferably in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology environment preferred
Relevant virology R&D experience using state-of-the art technologies
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Training in molecular biology, synthetic biology, and virology is essential. Relevant work experience in a laboratory setting is essential, including ability to work with infectious agents safely. The capacity to work effectively in a highly visible research program with time-constrained milestones.
NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS
This position requires occasional weekend work to meet critical timelines.
OTHER INFORMATION
Work Location Assignment: On Premise
Other Job Details:
Eligible for relocation package
Eligible for employee referral bonus
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.
