Senior Automation Scientist High Throughput Screening

Use Your Power for Purpose

At Pfizer, our purpose is to deliver breakthroughs that transform patients' lives. Central to this mission is our Research and Development team, dedicated to translating advanced science and innovative technologies into impactful therapies and vaccines. Whether you are engaged in discovery sciences, ensuring the safety and efficacy of drugs, or supporting clinical trials, you will leverage cutting-edge design and process development capabilities. Your efforts will accelerate the delivery of best-in-class medicines to patients globally, fulfilling Pfizer's commitment to making a meaningful difference in healthcare.

What You Will Achieve

We are seeking a Senior Automation Scientist with strong skills in robotics and the use of high throughput screening (HTS) equipment to join our HTS team, within the Discovery Biology and Pharmacology (DBP) group in Groton, CT. The HTS team is building internal capabilities to support automated high-throughput screening to identify novel lead matter in support of Pfizer’s small molecule portfolio.  The successful candidate will combine his/her/their expertise with integrated screening platforms with strong collaboration and organizational skills to partner with colleagues across functions and to support multiple disease areas of focus.

The successful candidate will combine technical and scientific rigor, attention to detail, the ability to predict and maintain timelines, excellent communication skills, and a sense of humor to complete this challenging job with a sense of joy.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will help to build Pfizer’s internal HTS capability in DBP by designing and executing automated workflows to enable HTS including primary, confirmation, counter screen, and selectivity assays in 384-well and 1536-well plate formats, all with minimal supervision. This scientist will be responsible for integrating various dispensers and readers into our HighRes Bio automation systems, teaching positions, troubleshooting instrument issues, and creating new programs.

Successful candidates will be expected to:

• Independently design automation protocols based on assay requirements established with assay scientists

• Enable the execution of primary screening campaigns in high-throughput, leveraging plate-based assays and automation (384- and 1536-well formats)

• Enable the rapid adaptation of assays to automated protocols including hit confirmation and downstream follow-up screening.

• Program automation systems using Cellario, Biomek, Vworks, Echo, DART, SAMI, etc. for efficient execution of HTS campaigns

• Manage the inventory of automation equipment shared in the DBP group including a variety of dispensers, incubators, plate readers, etc.

• Assist in coordination of instrument maintenance and repairs, planning for replacement when instrumentation becomes obsolete, and creating new methods on online and offline equipment, etc.

• Maintain offline instruments from manufacturers including Biomek, Agilent, Thermo, Revvity, etc.

• Evaluate and implement new technologies into the HTS workflow to ensure that Pfizer stays current in the HTS field. Liaise effectively with project teams to ensure the timely progression of HTS campaigns and to adjust to changing needs.

• Actively participate in the scouting, evaluation and implementation of new instrumentation to enhance workflow efficiencies and/or capabilities. 

• Manage robotic system scheduling to optimize usage and ensure screening campaigns are conducted in a timely manner

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent with 1-3 years relevant laboratory experience, or MSc/BSc with 5 or more years' experience

• Experience providing lab automation support in an in vitro drug discovery group.

• Demonstrated expertise in the use of HighRes automated systems including strong familiarity with Cellario scheduling software

• Expertise in a range of routine plate-based instruments including common HTS liquid handlers (Combi, Echo, Tempest, Biomek tip based systems)

• Familiarity and working knowledge of common HTS readers such as the Pherastar, Envision, High-content systems, qRT-PCR instruments, etc.

• Familiarity with in vitro assay technologies (fluorescence, HTRF, AlphaLISA, nanoBRET, SPA, etc.)

• Ability to troubleshoot issues with common lab equipment

• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively in a highly matrixed environment to ensure alignment and transparency around HTS timelines and needs. 

• Strong ability to interface with external vendors for support.

• Strong attention to detail to ensure robu