Associate Scientist, Upstream Process Development Mammalian Cell Culture
Job Description
Why Patients Need You
Pfizer’s purpose is to deliver breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Research and Development is at the heart of fulfilling Pfizer’s purpose as we work to translate advanced science and technologies into the therapies and vaccines that matter most. Whether you are in the discovery sciences, ensuring drug safety and efficacy or supporting clinical trials, you will apply cutting edge design and process development capabilities to accelerate and bring the best in class medicines to patients around the world.
What You Will Achieve
In this role, you will join a team of scientists and engineers focused on developing and optimizing mammalian cell culture processes for production of recombinant proteins and biologics for early vaccine programs
As an Associate Scientist, you will be at the center of our operations and you’ll find that everything we do, every day, is in line with an unwavering commitment to quality. Your strong foundation in general scientific practice, its principles and concepts will help in meeting critical deadlines. You will be relied on as a technical contributor to assess the assigned tasks and make decisions that involve direct application of your knowledge. The primary purpose of this position is to plan and execute experiments in support of the mammalian cell culture group. You will be performing a diverse set of experiments including stable cell line generation, transient transfection, master cell bank generation, cell line characterization and benchtop bioreactors.
It is your hard work and dedication that will make Pfizer ready to achieve new milestones and help patients across the globe.
How You Will Achieve It
Apply technical skills to complete assigned work within own work group/project team.
Optimize suspension mammalian cells for transient transfection using DOE principle.
Monitor and quantify protein expression level in cells by different assays such as Octet, FACS, Fluorescence microscopy, SDS-Page, Western, etc. after transient transfection.
Generate stable cell lines, primarily in CHO cells, by both targeted and random integration to produce vaccine candidates or antibodies.
Characterize cell lines with different assays such as ddPCR, NOVA, FACS, Western etc. to measure genetic and epigenetic stability.
Perform aseptic handling of mammalian cells and prepare cell banks.
Support laboratory activities by monitoring lab equipment and maintaining a clean and safe working environment.
Analyze, interpret, and provide conclusions and present experimental data. Prepare technical reports, as needed.
Collaborate with colleagues towards introduction of new technologies to improve and accelerate upstream process development and improve process efficiency.
Present problems and propose solutions in discussion with group members. Offers insights based on experience to group members to help solve problems.
Effectively document all lab activities in notebooks/elsewhere as required and appropriate, in a timely fashion.
Qualifications
Must-Have
Bachelor’s degree in biology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry or related discipline with some related experience.
A strong background in genetics, molecular biology, cell biology and aseptic cell culture techniques is essential.
Practical knowledge of mammalian cell culture and metabolism.
Team oriented, with excellent oral and written communication skills
Well organized and great attention to detail.
Proficiency in Microsoft systems such as Office suite, Outlook, Etc.
Experience in a biochemical laboratory environment.
Nice-to-Have
Experience in protein expression by transient transfection in mammalian cells.
Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, cell line development activities that involve introduction of recombinant genes into mammalian genomes is expected. Bioreactor/Wave system operation are a plus.
The ability to design complex experiments and interpret data.
Practical knowledge of bioreactor operations.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to make aseptic transfers.
Ability to lift 25lbs.
Mental requirements are a detailed understanding of the scientific subject matter.
Ability to make scientific judgments and an ability to perform complex data analysis.
NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS
The work requires a flexible work schedule to properly perform cell line development manipulations.
This may involve the necessity of working outside of core hours and on weekends.
Other Job Details:
Last Date to Apply for Job: August 31st, 2024
Work Location Assignment: On Premise
On Premise colleagues work in a Pfizer site because it’s needed to get their job done. They may have flexibility to work remotely from time to time, but they are primarily on-site.
Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.
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 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.
