RNA Accelerator Postdoctoral Fellow Drug Safety
- Pfizer Inc.
- Location: Cambridge, MA
- Job Number: 7116862 (Ref #: 4862346)
- Posting Date: Nov 28, 2022
- Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
Job Description
ROLE SUMMARY
Pfizer Drug Safety Research and Development (DSRD) Comparative Medicine is seeking a motivated individual with a doctorate degree in Immunology for an exciting post-doctoral fellowship opportunity within the Immunosafety Sciences department. The goal of the fellowship is to assess the impact of RNA-based pharmaceuticals on the immune system with an emphasis on innate immunity. Following the success of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, mRNA lipid nanoparticle (RNA LNP) modality is expected to extend into other therapeutic areas including inflammation/immunology, oncology, gene therapy and rare diseases, requiring a deeper understanding of RNA LNP safety and impact on the immune system. We are interested in defining the immunosafety parameters of the RNA LNP platform and advancing our understanding of the role of the innate and adaptive immune cells in influencing RNA LNP efficacy and safety. The data you will generate in the course of your post-doctoral fellowship are expected to drive forward our organization’s ability to accelerate the development of RNA-based pharmaceuticals.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
Design and execute an in-depth strategy to evaluate the interactions of the immune system with RNA LNP formulations.
Utilize an array of scientific methods including cell-based and molecular assays to generate pivotal data to define the immune processes that are affected by RNA LNP modality.
Leverage the resources within DSRD to perform a comprehensive safety assessment of the immunomodulatory effects of RNA LNPs, focusing on the innate immune system.
Collaborate with Immunosafety scientists and subject matter experts, your post-doctoral advisors and our partners in multiple therapeutic areas including Vaccines, Oncology and Inflammation & Immunology.
Utilize the full spectrum of immunological techniques including flow cytometry, cell culture, in vivo models, multiplex cytokine assays, RNA sequencing, cell trafficking, phagocytosis, proliferation/apoptosis, antigen presentation and other assays.
In addition to designing and carrying out experiments in the laboratory, perform complex data analyses and create verbal, written and visual summaries of your results.
Communicate your findings to your colleagues within Immunosafety Sciences, our internal partners, DSRD leadership and your post-doctoral peers within the organization.
Show scientific creativity while maintaining a strong connection to the business needs of the organization.
Take initiative in organizing your data into publications and take a leading role in manuscript preparation.
Participate in a larger Pfizer post-doctoral community through meetings, poster sessions and symposia. Network and interact with broader Global Discovery, Investigating and Translational Sciences (G-DITS) organization comprising of investigative and biomarker groups.
Follow Pfizer laboratory safety, compliance and data archiving/reporting standards, and fulfill all on-line and in-person training requirements in a timely fashion.
QUALIFICATIONS
Basic Qualifications
Qualified applicants must hold a PhD in Immunology.
The ideal candidate will have superb technical skills that will enable them to execute complex experiments in the laboratory and generate crucial data in a highly dynamic scientific space.
Familiarity with flow cytometry, cytokine analysis, cell culture, laboratory animal handling and procedures, molecular techniques including PCR, Western Blot, etc.
Highly collaborative with strong verbal and writing skills in order to effectively communicate results both within our group and to our internal partners.
An ability to solve complex scientific problems and a passion for learning from both scientific scholarship and people is required.
Preferred Qualifications
PhDs with training and expertise in innate immunology are strongly encouraged to apply.
Experience in high dimensional analytical tools for flow cytometry data.
Familiarity with the latest technological and digital tools of discovery would also be an asset.
OTHER JOB DETAILS
Eligible For Relocation Assistance
Must Have Work Authorization in US
Pfizer Drug Safety Research and Development (DSRD) Comparative Medicine is seeking a motivated individual with a doctorate degree in Immunology for an exciting post-doctoral fellowship opportunity within the Immunosafety Sciences department. The goal of the fellowship is to assess the impact of RNA-based pharmaceuticals on the immune system with an emphasis on innate immunity. Following the success of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, mRNA lipid nanoparticle (RNA LNP) modality is expected to extend into other therapeutic areas including inflammation/immunology, oncology, gene therapy and rare diseases, requiring a deeper understanding of RNA LNP safety and impact on the immune system. We are interested in defining the immunosafety parameters of the RNA LNP platform and advancing our understanding of the role of the innate and adaptive immune cells in influencing RNA LNP efficacy and safety. The data you will generate in the course of your post-doctoral fellowship are expected to drive forward our organization’s ability to accelerate the development of RNA-based pharmaceuticals.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
Design and execute an in-depth strategy to evaluate the interactions of the immune system with RNA LNP formulations.
Utilize an array of scientific methods including cell-based and molecular assays to generate pivotal data to define the immune processes that are affected by RNA LNP modality.
Leverage the resources within DSRD to perform a comprehensive safety assessment of the immunomodulatory effects of RNA LNPs, focusing on the innate immune system.
Collaborate with Immunosafety scientists and subject matter experts, your post-doctoral advisors and our partners in multiple therapeutic areas including Vaccines, Oncology and Inflammation & Immunology.
Utilize the full spectrum of immunological techniques including flow cytometry, cell culture, in vivo models, multiplex cytokine assays, RNA sequencing, cell trafficking, phagocytosis, proliferation/apoptosis, antigen presentation and other assays.
In addition to designing and carrying out experiments in the laboratory, perform complex data analyses and create verbal, written and visual summaries of your results.
Communicate your findings to your colleagues within Immunosafety Sciences, our internal partners, DSRD leadership and your post-doctoral peers within the organization.
Show scientific creativity while maintaining a strong connection to the business needs of the organization.
Take initiative in organizing your data into publications and take a leading role in manuscript preparation.
Participate in a larger Pfizer post-doctoral community through meetings, poster sessions and symposia. Network and interact with broader Global Discovery, Investigating and Translational Sciences (G-DITS) organization comprising of investigative and biomarker groups.
Follow Pfizer laboratory safety, compliance and data archiving/reporting standards, and fulfill all on-line and in-person training requirements in a timely fashion.
QUALIFICATIONS
Basic Qualifications
Qualified applicants must hold a PhD in Immunology.
The ideal candidate will have superb technical skills that will enable them to execute complex experiments in the laboratory and generate crucial data in a highly dynamic scientific space.
Familiarity with flow cytometry, cytokine analysis, cell culture, laboratory animal handling and procedures, molecular techniques including PCR, Western Blot, etc.
Highly collaborative with strong verbal and writing skills in order to effectively communicate results both within our group and to our internal partners.
An ability to solve complex scientific problems and a passion for learning from both scientific scholarship and people is required.
Preferred Qualifications
PhDs with training and expertise in innate immunology are strongly encouraged to apply.
Experience in high dimensional analytical tools for flow cytometry data.
Familiarity with the latest technological and digital tools of discovery would also be an asset.
OTHER JOB DETAILS
Eligible For Relocation Assistance
Must Have Work Authorization in US
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.
