Senior research associate, Vaccines

Use Your Power for Purpose

At Pfizer, our purpose is to deliver breakthroughs that change patients’ lives.  As a Senior Associate Scientist, you will be at the forefront of our mission, contributing to the development of innovative therapies and vaccines that have the potential to transform patient care. Reporting to the Research & Development division, you will leverage advanced science and cutting-edge technologies to make a tangible impact on global health. Your work will be instrumental in ensuring drug safety and efficacy, supporting clinical trials, and accelerating the delivery of top-tier medicines to patients worldwide.

ROLE SUMMARY

As a Senior Associate Scientist in the Vaccines Division, you will play a key role in early-stage vaccine development at Pearl River, NY. Leveraging your background in molecular and cell biology, you will evaluate and optimize current vaccine platforms and contribute to the design of next‑generation vaccine prototypes.

You will test and compare vaccine candidates in vitro, develop and implement novel assays, and assess emerging technologies from both internal and external sources. Your data and scientific insights will help directly inform go/no‑go decisions for advancing candidates from in vitro to in vivo studies, with a clear and tangible impact on Pfizer’s next‑generation vaccine pipeline.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop novel culture systems and in vitro assays for characterizing innate immune responses to next-generation vaccines, including immune cell processing, cytokine quantification, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and gene expression.
• Support mechanism of action (MoA) studies.
• Apply functional molecular biology techniques to independently clone novel constructs, perform DNA/RNA isolation and transfections, and quantify RNA via RT-qPCR and/or NGS.
• Effectively conduct and troubleshoot experiments, and interpret, analyze, and summarize data acquired with supervision.
• Present data in group meetings, project team meetings, and to the department as required.
• Maintain laboratory notebook (ELN) in a detailed and punctual manner, in compliance with company policy.
• Execute qualifications/validations of new instruments and custom methods.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors degree (BS) in biology, microbiology, immunology, chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years or demonstrable experience with standard cellular and molecular biology techniques: Flow Cytometry, Confocal Microscopy-based assays, RT-qPCR, Luminex/MSD, mRNA-LNP, molecular cloning, cell culture, DNA/RNA isolation, In-vitro transcription, DNA/RNA transfection.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Attention to detail: Accurate and punctual recordkeeping as well as adherence to SOPs.
• Curiosity and a willingness to learn additional techniques/relevant biological bases for experimentation.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Team player.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• MS in virology, microbiology, immunology, biology, chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field with 0-4 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with complex culture systems (e.g. 3D-cultures, co-cultures, ex-vivo, immune cells).
• Proficient in data analysis and plotting in GraphPad (PRISM).
• Experience with immunostaining assays: Flow, IF, MSD/Luminex.
• Technical proficiency with sequence analysis software (Genious/Sequencher/DNAStar).
• Practice designing and running experiments independently.

  

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

• On-site (laboratory-based). Must be able to access or utilize reliable transportation to the Pearl River site.
• Experimental designs may occasionally necessitate being on-site early/late or on weekends as needed.
• Potential to work with/come in contact with infectious materials.

Work Location Assignment: On Premise

  


The annual base salary for this position ranges from $68,600.00 to $114,300.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 7.5% of the base salary. 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 Savings Contribution, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage. Learn more at Pfizer Candidate Site – U.S. Benefits | (uscandidates.mypfizerbenefits.com). Pfizer compensation structures and benefit packages are aligned based on the location of hire. The United States salary range provided does not apply to Tampa, FL or any location outside of the United States.





Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.




Candidates must be authorized to be employed in the U.S. by any employer.

U.S. work visa sponsorship (such as TN, O-1, H-1B, etc.) is not available for this role now or in the future.






To learn more about acceptable and prohibited uses of AI during the recruitment process, please review our candidate AI-use guidelines available on Pfizer Careers.


Research and Development