Principal Scientist, In vivo Pharmacology, Neuroinflammation​/Neurodegeneration

Position Purpose The Pfizer Inflammation & Immunology Research Unit (I&I RU) in Cambridge, MA, is seeking an experienced Principal Scientist (R5) to join the in vivo pharmacology group as a subject matter expert and scientific leader. In this senior role, you will lead the preclinical in vivo pharmacology strategy focused on neuroinflammatory mechanisms in Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders. You will serve as both a conceptual driver and a technical authority—responsible for designing, directing, and critically interpreting in vivo, ex vivo, and complementary in vitro studies that elucidate disease biology and establish target engagement, pharmacodynamics, and therapeutic efficacy.

Beyond core study design, you will spearhead the establishment of next-generation mouse models and advanced behavioral and physiological endpoints, lead cross-functional drug discovery project teams, mentor scientific staff, and champion innovative scientific avenues to fuel Pfizer’s preclinical neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation pipeline. This position offers an opportunity to drive impactful research in neuroinflammation while collaborating closely with multidisciplinary project teams to advance therapeutic discovery.

• Project Team Leadership:
  Serve as the in vivo pharmacology lead on multidisciplinary project teams
• Pipeline Innovation:
  Act as an authoritative resource to explore, identify, and champion new preclinical biological concepts
• External Collaborations:
  Interface with academic leaders, industry consortia, and contract research organizations (CROs) to evaluate new technologies and externalize specialized in vivo study execution when needed
• In Vivo Model Innovation & Experimental Strategy:
  Study Design & Oversight:
  Conceive, design, optimize, and oversee robust in vivo pharmacology studies
• Model Establishment:
  Pioneer and validate cutting-edge rodent disease models
• Readout Development:
  Implement and standardize state-of-the-art behavioral and physiological readouts to enhance translational predictive power
• Data Governance, Communication & Compliance:
  Data Synthesis & Reporting:
  Lead rigorous data analysis, statistical evaluation, synthesis, and documentation
• Regulatory & Documentation:
  Author and review preclinical study reports, regulatory submission components and animal care protocols (IACUC)
• Animal Welfare & Compliance:
  Maintain the highest standards of data integrity, biosafety, and compliance with institutional animal care guidelines and 3
  
  Rs principles (Replace, Reduce, Refine)

• Neuroinflammation & Neurodegeneration:
  Deep foundational knowledge of neuroinflammatory pathways, neuroimmune-glial crosstalk (microglia/astrocytes), and Alzheimer’s disease pathophysiology
• In Vivo Pharmacology Mastery:
  Demonstrated track record of designing, executing, and troubleshooting preclinical rodent pharmacology studies, target engagement assays, and PK/PD modeling in neuroscience or immunology
• Model & Readout Innovation:
  Proven experience in establishing and validating new animal models and developing complex behavioral, physiological, or imaging endpoints
• Analytical Techniques:
  Proficient understanding of multidimensional ex vivo analytical techniques (e.g., immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence, quantitative image analysis, flow cytometry, gene expression profiling, cytokine quantification)
• Drug Discovery Acumen:
  Demonstrated familiarity with early drug discovery pipelines (small molecules, biologics, and/or RNA-based therapeutics)

• Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Neurobiology, or a related biomedical science with 5+ years of relevant post-doctoral or pharmaceutical/biotech industry experience; OR M.S. in a…