Title: Sr. Scientist – Assay Development & Pharmacology (High Content Imaging)
Job ID: 1003688
Location: United States-Connecticut-Groton
Org Marketing Statement
All over the world, Pfizer colleagues are working together to positively impact health for everyone, everywhere. Each position at Pfizer touches and contributes to the success of our business and our world. That’s why, as one of the global leaders in the biopharmaceutical industry, Pfizer is committed to seeking out inspired new talent who share our core values and mission of making the world a healthier place.
Role Description
As member of a group providing high content screening data, to support target identification and the in vitro pharmacology needs of the Research Unit portfolios by working with drug discovery project teams. The focus will be to deliver strategic screen design, assay development/optimization, image analysis algorithms and automated data analysis to execute high content cell based assays in phenotypic screening and physiologically relevant systems.
Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be a member of a laboratory with other lab scientists focused on high content phenotypic assay development by executing single cell image analysis and high throughput flow cytometry assays supporting the portfolios of multiple therapeutic areas and scientific initiatives. He/she will design, validate and deliver high quality in vitro screening data from high content imaging and flow cytometry based pharmacology screens to drive lead series identification, optimization and drug candidate selection. He/she may also provide oversight and take accountability for the delivery of high content pharmacology data provided by external Contract Research Organizations. He/she will be asked to bring strategic insight into the screen design, ensuring robust decision-making that is appropriate for the biological challenges of phenotypic assays and enables the investigation of molecular mechanisms of actions. He/she will serve as a project point of contact for the drug discovery project teams. Applicants must have a strong scientific background in high content cell biology, computational image analysis and drug discovery data analysis. The
candidate will possess strong collaborative and written/verbal communication skills and a positive attitude to interact
with multiple partners (e.g. therapeutic area teams, Chemistry and Biology leads, Pharmacodynamic and Safety lines and Outsourcing vendors). He/she should demonstrate personal leadership within the group, scientific leadership
both at the bench and at computational data analysis, and be adept at multi-tasking. He/she will be expected to mentor more junior scientists in the group to drive team success.
Successful candidates will be expected to:
• Be an expert in high content phenotypic in vitro assay execution and data analysis
• Have experience with physiologically relevant cell based assay formats (IPS cells, Human primary cells, 3D culture and microfluidic platforms)
• Have experience using high content 384/1536 plate based platforms and possibly High throughput flow cytometry.
• Be skilled in assay development and optimization and familiar with the use of robotics and automation in the performance of screening
• Be proficient in computational image analysis and automated data management to apply appropriate software to specific needs
• Possess excellent writing and communication skills to works with divers partners to achieve objectives
• Contribute to and lead local and global projects for High content phenotypic screening
• Develop and implement algorithms for imaged based data analysis and data management
• Serve as a resource for biological and drug discovery high content screening expertise
• Proactively respond to project team needs to support molecular mechanism of action identification
• Support collaborative scientific initiatives within and across partner lines as appropriate
• Build and maintain a ‘cutting edge’ awareness of new technology advances (cytof, NanoSIM, superResolution…), computational modeling system developments, and scientific knowledge in the field to apply these where possible to improve performance
• Mentor and develop less experienced staff to drive team success
• Adopt a Continuous Improvement mindset to improve quality, efficiency and/or cost of processes within the lab
• Promote Pfizer High content phenotypic screening capabilities and reputation through external publications and presentations.
Qualifications
Training & Education:
• Minimum qualification PhD or equivalent with 4+ years of relevant experience to drug discovery in biology, cell biology, and/or pharmacology.
Prior Experience:
• Prior experience in a laboratory working as part of a multi-disciplinary team focused on the discovery of novel therapeutic agents.
• Experience with in vitro high content phenotypic assays, data analysis, QC, and visualization.
• Cell biology and physiologically relevant cell based assay experience essential.
• Experience with troubleshooting technical assays and protocols.
• Experience in designing and developing high content cell based assays and to identify opportunities for improvement in assay execution.
• Demonstration of excellent computer, verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated examples of personal and scientific leadership.
• Have a sustained track record of delivering high quality data meeting the needs of teams.
• Experience of successfully interacting with and meeting the needs of stakeholder groups is essential as well as having a customer focus.
• Experience of interacting with other groups in related areas such as material management, automation and informatics is essential.
Equal Employment Opportunity
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.
Compensation Information
Global Performance Plan Eligible Global Performance Plan Target
Grade 008Salary Ranges Overtime Eligible
Minimum Midpoint Maximum Annual
$78300.00 $ 97700.00 $117400.00
Internal Candidate
Business Unit Global R&D - USA
Department PDM - NCE
Manager Regis Doyonnas
Recruiter Ada Anosike-Crichton
Additional Offer Details:
Internal Candidates Identified
Relocation Package Available
Global Job (As Defined by Pfizer or Business Unit Policy).
Job is Eligible for an Employee Referral Award (as defined by Local Guidelines)
Foreign nationals whose eligibility to work requires sponsorship or maintenance of valid immigration status may not be eligible for this position.
Immigration and Work Authorization
All candidates must already have, or be able to readily secure authorizations to live and work on an ongoing basis in the country where job is based.
Pfizer will assist candidates who secure an offer with the application and processing for immigration status and work authorization. Pfizer will assist immediate family members in obtaining immigration status to enable them to relocate with the employee. In most cases, work authorization can only be obtained for the employee, not for accompanying family members.
Management retains right to change the job specifications and provisions of this job as appropriate.
Please Note:
Your decision whether or not to post for an open position has no impact on
your eligibility for severance benefit under the terms of any separation policy or plan. All decisions about severance eligibility will be made in accordance with terms of the applicable policy or plans.
