Early Formulation Science and Drug Delivery (EFS-DD) Senior Principal Scientist Full-time

Use Your Power for Purpose

This Senior Principal Scientist position will be a strong scientific and leadership role within the Early Formulation Science and Drug Delivery (EFS-DD) group, supporting early-stage drug and drug product design, biopharmaceutics understanding and early clinical drug delivery strategy of new small molecules.

The selected candidate will interface with multi-disciplinary research project teams and cross functional management to provide guidance, input and direction on molecular design, dosage form design and biopharmaceutics aspects of pre-clinical and clinical candidate development. The role will also focus on developing and demonstrating leadership and drug delivery strategy skills within the Drug Product Design and Supply department which functions as part of the larger Pharmaceutical Sciences division.

What You Will Achieve

• Enable science advances, leadership and strategic direction for the fundamental understanding of key connectivity of molecular structure, solution and diffusion behavior and permeation characteristics to enable optimal drug formulation and drug delivery systems design
• Integrate pharmaceutics, physical organic chemistry, biophysical chemistry, supramolecular chemistry and fundamental biopharmaceutics principles into drug candidate screening and design, formulation design and ultimately project direction
• Teach and mentor colleagues across the Pfizer organization
• Cultivate sustainable and effective relationships with internal partners and stakeholders, i.e., partner lines in Medicinal Design, Pharmaceutical Sciences Small Molecule (PSSM), Clinical Pharmacology, Drug Safety (DSRD), relevant Research Units, and Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, and Metabolism (PDM)
• Advance scientific research and expands capability in the areas of molecular design-drug delivery, early biopharmaceutics and drug formulation

Here are the Skills You Will Need

• Understanding of connectivity of molecular structure, solution kinetics, thermodynamics, diffusion and permeation of molecules across membranes
• Strong fundamental understanding of molecular and supramolecular interactions of small molecules in aqueous environments
• Ability and interest to understand and probe molecular/supramolecular interactions of small molecules in common enabling drug delivery technologies; desire to optimize system properties to achieve required delivery profiles for pre-clinical and clinical studies
• Efficient application of existing advanced modeling and simulation tools for predictive performance of oral absorption and systemic exposure (pharmacokinetics) in pre-clinical and clinical studies
• Development and advancement of the concepts of early translational biopharmaceutics with a focus to improve predictive capabilities by linking in vitro drug and drug product performance attributes to in vivo performance attributes
• Lead matrix teams of scientists across multiple levels to deliver portfolio and initiative breakthroughs
• Lead scientific strategy and set direction for advances in oral, small molecule drug delivery through interaction with organizational thought leaders and cross functional management
• Maintain an awareness of and contribute to current relevant scientific literature
• Conduct novel scientific research and present significant findings via internal and external presentations or publications

Here are the Requirements You Will Need

• PhD in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Physical Chemistry, Physical Organic Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry or related discipline with 9+ years relevant experience in drug delivery, or BS/MS in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Physical Chemistry, Physical Organic Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry or related discipline with a minimum of 10-12 years relevant pharmaceutics industry experience in small molecule drug product design.
• Knowledge in biology/pharmacology/drug discovery/drug delivery up to Proof of Concept (POC) studies.
• Small molecule Formulation and/or early Biopharmaceutics, Pharmacokinetics background, and a strong record of scientific achievement
• Experience in using and interpreting biophysical modeling, physicochemical (solubility & dissolution) and biological (passive, transporter mediated, efflux) transport phenomena, design, interpretation, and use of in vitro experiments, or in vivo/in vitro drug metabolism studies, and interpretation of pre-clinical exposure data for the design and selection of new small molecule drug candidates and drug delivery systems
• A strong interest and motivation to learn and implement new technologies and concepts.
• A strong interest in leadership
• Extensive practical experience working within cross-disciplinary teams and achieving results in a matrix environment.
• Excellent organizational and communication (oral and written) skills.
• Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively.

Bonus Points If You Have These Skills

• Proven track record of supervising, mentoring and coaching scientists.
• Understanding of drug discovery and development concepts.
• Experience in actively developing and advancing scientific initiatives and external collaborations.
• Collaborative and effective partnering skills applied in a complex, multi-disciplinary organizational model.

Physical/Mental Requirements

Sitting, standing, ability to perform mathematical calculations and ability to perform complex data analysis

Non-Standard Work Schedule, Travel or Environment Requirements

Intermittent travel required between Pfizer sites in Groton, CT and La Jolla, CA

Relocation support available Work Location Assignment: On Premise