at Pfizer
Location
United States - New York - Pearl River
Compensation
$60k–$100k USD
Posted
1 weeks ago
Market range · company + function + seniority
p25 · target · p75 · n=108
Posted $100k · well below market
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ROLE SUMMARY
As an Associate Scientist in the Vaccines Division, you will play a key role in early-stage vaccine development at Pearl River, NY. Leveraging your background in molecular and cell biology, you will evaluate and optimize current vaccine platforms and contribute to the design of next‑generation vaccine prototypes.
You will test and compare vaccine candidates in vitro, develop and implement novel assays, and assess emerging technologies from both internal and external sources. Your data and scientific insights will help directly inform go/no‑go decisions for advancing candidates from in vitro to in vivo studies, with a clear and tangible impact on Pfizer’s next‑generation vaccine pipeline.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
Develop novel culture systems and in vitro assays for characterizing innate immune responses to next-generation vaccines, including immune cell processing, cytokine quantification, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and gene expression.
Support mechanism of action (MoA) studies.
Apply functional molecular biology techniques to independently clone novel constructs, perform DNA/RNA isolation and transfections, and quantify RNA via RT-qPCR and/or NGS.
Effectively conduct and troubleshoot experiments, and interpret, analyze, and summarize data acquired with supervision.
Present data in group meetings, project team meetings, and to the department as required.
Maintain laboratory notebook (ELN) in a detailed and punctual manner, in compliance with company policy.
Execute qualifications/validations of new instruments and custom methods.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
BS (with 1-3 years relevant experience) in biology, microbiology, immunology, chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field.
Demonstrable experience with standard cellular and molecular biology techniques: Flow Cytometry, Confocal Microscopy-based assays, RT-qPCR, Luminex/MSD, molecular cloning, cell culture, DNA/RNA isolation, In-vitro transcription, DNA/RNA transfection.
Proficient with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
Attention to detail: Accurate and punctual recordkeeping as well as adherence to SOPs.
Curiosity and a willingness to learn additional techniques/relevant biological bases for experimentation.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Team player.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
MS in virology, microbiology, immunology, biology, chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field with 0-2 years of relevant experience.
Experience with complex culture systems (e.g. 3D-cultures, co-cultures, ex-vivo, immune cells).
Proficient in data analysis and plotting in GraphPad (PRISM).
Experience with immunostaining assays: Flow, IF, MSD/Luminex.
Technical proficiency with sequence analysis software (Genious/Sequencher/DNAStar).
Practice designing and running experiments independently.
NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS
On-site (laboratory-based). Must be able to access or utilize reliable transportation to the Pearl River site.
Experimental designs may occasionally necessitate being on-site early/late or on weekends as needed.
Potential to work with/come in contact with infectious materials.
Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

Candidates must be authorized to be employed in the U.S. by any employer.
U.S. work visa sponsorship (such as TN, O-1, H-1B, etc.) is not available for this role now or in the future.

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. This position requires permanent work authorization in the United States.
Pfizer endeavors to make www.pfizer.com/careers accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process and/or interviewing, please email disabilityrecruitment@pfizer.com. This is to be used solely for accommodation requests with respect to the accessibility of our website, online application process and/or interviewing. Requests for any other reason will not be returned.
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.

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