Process Safety Laboratory, Principal Scientist

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.

POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking an experienced process safety scientist to join the Process Safety Laboratory Team within Chemical Research and Development (CRD) at the Groton, CT site. You will serve as a senior scientific member of a lab group responsible for conducting industry standard process safety testing to fully characterize materials, processes, and side streams prior to scale-up in laboratories and manufacturing facilities. You will collaborate with and mentor the members of the process safety lab at the Groton site to share expertise and ensure alignment on testing approaches. There is also an opportunity for global mentorship with process safety colleagues working at the Pfizer Ringaskiddy, Ireland and Chennai, India sites. You will ensure timely support of projects including scaleups to support clinical supply manufacturing in the RCMF (Ringaskiddy Clinical Manufacturing Facility) and through to late-stage development and launch in our commercial manufacturing facilities, for both continuous and batch processes.   

CRD, as part of Pfizer R&D in Pharmaceutical Sciences, is responsible for the development of process technology to enable the production of API. CRD scientists engage in all facets of development from small scale synthesis in support of medicinal chemistry programs, to the development of the commercial synthetic route. CRD scientists partner with manufacturing specialists for API synthesis in kilo-lab and pilot plant facilities, as well as provide oversight for technology transfer to Pfizer manufacturing sites and third-party facilities. 

You will help foster a strong scientific community within the Groton Process Safety Lab and will grow and develop the broader team of Pfizer process safety scientists through mentoring activities. They will collaborate with managers and scientists from across CRD, Corporate EHS and Pfizer Global Supply (PGS) to evolve our process safety testing practices.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Ensure successful application of Process Safety workflows in partnership with API project teams. Deliver process safety data and recommendations for PGS as required. 

• Design, execute, and interpret laboratory experiments to accurately assess the safety of starting materials, reagents, intermediates, waste streams, and our chemical processes prior to scaleup. Oversee the development of appropriate risk mitigation plans to ensure safety on scale-up.  

• Coordinate laboratory testing and assessment of physical and chemical reaction hazards,per Global Process Safety Guidelines, to support the scale-up of chemical processes. 

• Effectively mentor the global process safety community as needed in their analysis, interpretation, and communication of reaction hazard evaluations to ensure effective recommendations for the safe scale-up of chemical processes in R&D/PGS manufacturing facilities. 

• Lead the evaluation of novel technologies to maintain world-class process safety capabilities.  

• Responsible for maintaining lab facilities in a neat and orderly manner complying with all local safety practices. 

• In conjunction with the Groton, CT process safety lead, identify initiatives to enhance process safety testing workflows and technology to improve process safety testing efficiency. 

• Knowledge of regulatory guidance/regulations affecting work unit. Utilize awareness of changing external regulatory environment to ensure this thinking is reflected in the science performed within the function. 

•  Represent CRD to ensure good collaboration, proactive engagement, and positive relationships are developed and maintained in matrix forums and outside of Pfizer. 

•  Proactively seek to develop best working practices by establishing networks and interfaces across sites, divisions and within the pharmaceutical industry and academia.  

• Collaborate within CRD, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medicinal Design, and across PGS to provide functional expertise as part of API project teams.  

• Partner with Groton Site and Corporate EHS experts and contribute to the Pfizer process safety network. 

• Ensure process safety training courses are up do date and delivered to new process chemists/engineers within CRD.   

• Collaborate with Groton, CT Process Safety team lead to generate realistic and balanced forecasts for near-, mid- and long-term resource needs. 

• Demonstrate fiscal responsibility and business acumen in decisions with budgetary implications for CRD. 

• Ensure lab’s activities are consistent with endorsed activities and aligned with portfolio goals. Communicate broader business perspectives to manage project activities and deliverables. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• BS/MS/PhD Chemical Engineer or Chemist with a minimum of 12 (BS), 9 (MS) or 4 (PhD) years relevant API experience in small molecule process development. 

• Awareness and expertise in elements/concepts of process safety testing and inherently safe process design. 

PREFERRED QUALIIFICATIONS

• Hands-on experience operating and troubleshooting the following analytical and testing equipment: Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Thermal Screening Unit, Accelerating Rate Calorimeter, Mettler Toledo RC-1, Mass spectroscopy.  

• Experience in writing process safety documents, conducting safety testing to support scale-up of processes and participating in process hazard analyses.   

• Proven track record of training and mentorship of junior colleagues and/or summer interns.  

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to lift 10 pounds and work in a laboratory environment 

• Ability to perform complex tasks with appropriate mental agility, including mathematical calculations and complex data analysis 

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

• International travel to Ireland and India maybe required for meetings with process safety scientists across Pharmaceutical Sciences 

Relocation support available
Work Location Assignment: On Premise

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $99,900.00 to $166,500.00. 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 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 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.

Research and Development