Associate Scientist (Vaccines) Full-time

Associate Scientist, Vaccines Division

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 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.