Principal Scientist

Job Responsibilities

The Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics and Metabolism (PDM) department in Pfizer Inc. is looking to identify a project representative who will serve as an integral project team member representing PDM on small molecule (including protein degraders, molecular glues, etc.) and protein therapeutics (e.g., peptides, mAbs, mAbs-conjugates, fusion proteins, etc.) research and development programs. In this role, you will be expected to ensure effective integration of absorption, distribution, metabolism & excretion (ADME) characterization and optimization, bioanalysis, translational pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD), and immunogenicity strategies into research objectives to facilitate the advancement of novel chemical and biological entities. While doing so, you will also work closely in a matrix-team environment with ADME scientists from multiple (small molecule and biologics) modalities to ensure the execution of appropriate experimental plans and data interpretation to provide strategic directions to discovery project teams.  

As a PDM point-of-contact for the discovery project teams, you will utilize ADME knowledge gathered from disposition studies to influence all stages of the discovery phase including hit-to-lead, lead development and candidate optimization. You will also interphase with pharmacologists, toxicologists, PK/PD modelers and clinical pharmacokineticists to develop translational pharmacology plans, human pharmacokinetics, dose and therapeutic margin projections for clinical candidates. In the preclinical development phase, you will interphase with asset development teams and contribute to the design and execution of regulatory toxicology studies, prepare the regulatory dossier with relevant ADME information, respond to regulatory queries, and support early clinical human pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability studies. Central to this role is an ability to propose practical solutions to address complex ADME and pharmacology hurdles as they arise in early discovery, and an ability to grasp multiple drug disposition concepts as applicable to both small and large molecule modalities.

How You will Achieve It

• Application of functional/technical knowledge to design appropriate in vitro and in vivo disposition studies in collaboration with the PDM matrix team to explore ADME issues in small and large molecule drug discovery programs
• Provide strategic directions to multidisciplinary project teams through interpretation and effective communication of experimental ADME data
• Ensure effective use of internal and external PDM resources to deliver project milestones
• Advance scientific and technology (including AI strategies) innovation and excellence that translate to portfolio impact

Minimum Requirements

• PhD level education with post-doctoral and/or some industry experience (or BS/MS with 10–14 years of prior experience) with graduate research focus on topics related to drug/xenobiotic disposition within small or large molecule realm, medicinal chemistry, physical organic chemistry/computational ADME, biochemistry, or pharmacokinetics (quantitative pharmacodynamics modeling), with a strong record of scientific achievements (e.g., peer-reviewed publications)
• Excellent interpersonal, written/verbal communication and presentation skills, with an ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team environment

Preferred Skills

• Demonstrated expertise in one or more areas of drug disposition science (small and/or large molecules), drug metabolism/enzymology, medicinal chemistry, protein analytics, modeling and simulation etc. with an emphasis on innovative problem-solving approaches to scientific problems
• Mechanistic modeling/simulation of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics data
• Broad understanding of pharmacokinetics and drug (small molecules and biologics) concepts
• Skills in coding and/or innovative use of AI approaches in biopharmaceutical research

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Sitting, Standing, Walking, ability to perform mathematical calculations and ability to perform complex data analysis.

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

Travel and adhere to safe work practices

Relocation support available

Work Location Assignment: Hybrid

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $106,000.00 to $171,500.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 15.0% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share b