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

Pfizer’s Oncology Research Unit (ORU) in La Jolla, California, is seeking a Senior Principal Scientist (PhD) to join the Tumor Immunity team focused on delivering breakthroughs that change patients’ lives by redirecting the immune system against cancer. The Senior Principal Scientist will be responsible for driving scientific strategies and their implementation within a collaborative team of motivated and rigorous scientists to advance immuno-oncology programs within our pre-clinical portfolio.

Our ideal candidate will have:

• A deep expertise in biology, immunology and the development therapeutic immune (T and/or NK) cell engagers
• Strong leadership as demonstrated by a track record of building and managing high performing teams of PhD and non-PhD level scientists
• Experience in effectively leading cross functional teams within a matrixed environment

The successful candidate will demonstrate a proven track record of scientific leadership and productivity as evidenced by impact on drug discovery programs and research publications in scientific journals.

How You Will Achieve It

• Lead research project teams to develop and execute on research strategy and development objectives aligned with ORU strategic focus areas
• Provide scientific leadership to preclinical project teams serving as the biology lead to design, plan, and execute laboratory experiments and deliver high-quality decision-making data sets in support of project objectives and timelines
• Foster and maintain strong collaborative relationships across the ORU discovery organization to design experiments and interpret data sets, driving pipeline advancements
• Strengthen department’s overall immuno-oncology capabilities and expertise by employing innovative methods and technologies to test therapeutic hypotheses
• Present research findings and share learnings at research project team meetings and research forums and support the development of team members in these settings
• Manage and mentor scientists in both laboratory based and discipline leadership roles to support preclinical discovery research programs within a matrixed environment
• Actively contribute to preparation of required drug development and regulatory documents (e.g., IND submissions), with responsibilities for non-clinical pharmacology data packages
• Effectively communicate program strategy, methodology, progress, and challenges to multiple stakeholders and partners, including senior executives and governance committees

Qualifications

• PhD in immunology, cancer biology or relevant biological science with 8+ years of relevant postdoctoral experience.
• Must have industry experience leading projects through discovery process
• Scientific expertise in immuno-oncology including previous experience with characterization and preclinical development of T and/or NK cell engagers
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Leadership experience and capabilities including the ability to influence and collaborate with peers, develop and coach others, oversee and guide the work of other colleagues to achieve meaningful outcomes and create business impact
• Demonstrated success in team management of PhD and non-PhD level scientists, in particular lab based colleagues

  
Candidate demonstrates a breadth of diverse leadership experiences and capabilities including: the ability to influence and collaborate with peers, develop and coach others, oversee and guide the work of other colleagues to achieve meaningful outcomes and create business impact.
Relocation support available

Work Location Assignment: On Premise

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $117,300.00 to $195,500.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 17.5% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program. We offer comprehensive and generous benefits and programs to help our colleagues lead healthy lives and to support each of life’s moments. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement