Research Fellow, Anti-Infectives

ROLE SUMMARY

Pfizer’s Anti-Infectives (AI) Research Unit is developing novel therapies that change patients’ lives.  This Research Fellow position is a unique opportunity for an exceptional scientist to apply expertise in virology and antiviral therapeutics to discovery of new drugs for the treatment, cure, and prevention of infectious diseases. 

The incumbent will play a key role in creating and driving a data-driven research strategy for virology and antiviral therapeutics, which includes identification and validation of targets for drug discovery and disease/target related biomarkers.   Substantial knowledge and experience in basic chronic biology research is a requirement.

The core role mission is to lead a research team to guide rigorous science, assay development, performance and data analyses and required preclinical data for strong preclinical packages in support of programs at all stages of the drug discovery process in the Anti-Infectives Research Unit. 

The successful candidate will be responsible for the development of cutting-edge virological methods and application of the most adequate/relevant platform modalities to provide novel actionable biological insights for drug discovery and development.

The role will work in close alignment with colleagues within the research unit as well as with project teams and partner lines to inform Anti-Infectives drug discovery pipeline.  We also expect the successful candidate to communicate the value and efficiency of virology research and capabilities to advance awareness and implementation throughout Pfizer’s R&D and at external conferences.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to execute science-based drug discovery at one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, centered at Pfizer’s R&D site located in Pearl River, NY.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and manage a team of scientists for the progression of drug discovery programs as well as preclinical requirements for programs in development.
• Maintain a ‘cutting edge’ awareness of scientific and technical developments, human genetics, preclinical to clinical translation and apply these where possible to advance the portfolio programs.
• Partner effectively with multi-functional teams encompassing research and provide antiviral expertise to advance drug discovery projects in Anti-Infectives Research Unit.
• Promote the use of novel experimental approaches within the Anti-infectives Research Unit.
• Apply innovative approaches to identify and inform on novel therapeutic targets, review and validate therapeutic hypotheses, better understand disease mechanisms to inform antiviral strategies.
• Actively identify new opportunities to develop and implement advanced methods for innovative research in drug discovery.
• Collaborate with team members in performing data analyses and integrating resources to provide novel insights into disease biology and therapeutics.
• Communicate analyses and study findings with internal project teams, leadership, and external collaborators.  Publish research findings in high quality scientific journals.
• Participate in collaborations with external academic and industry partners to transform our antiviral strategy and analysis toolkit and expand molecular biology approaches for assay development.
• Create an environment that values innovation, leadership, employee development, scientific excellence, urgency and accountability. Demonstrate team work , including good leadership skills in a matrix structure

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. or equivalent in virology, molecular biology, antiviral Therapeutics or Drug Discovery, or a related discipline
• Minimum 15 years post-PhD work experience in an academic or biopharma/biotech setting. 
• Scientific expertise in chronic viruses
• Research experience in applying advanced virology methodology and antiviral approaches to solving biomedical problems.
• Proficient in statistical analysis.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Solid background in virology, antiviral drug discovery, molecular biology, cell biology, and immunology, with practical working knowledge of viral-host interactions and chronic/latent viral disease.
• Enthusiasm for solving biomedical problems, and proven ability advancing biomedical discovery.
• Demonstrated track record of excellence in publications.
• Work experience in a pharmaceutical or biotech setting

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.