Scientist-Vaccine Immunology

We’re in relentless pursuit of breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. We innovate every day to make the world a healthier place.

To fully realize Pfizer’s purpose – Breakthroughs that change patients’ lives – we have established a clear set of expectations regarding “what” we need to achieve for patients and “how” we will go about achieving those goals.

Pfizer Research & Development serves as the beating heart of Pfizer's trailblazing product pipeline, the essence of our mission to bring life‑changing medicines to the world.

Pfizer offers competitive compensation and benefits programs designed to meet the diverse needs of our colleagues.

We are seeking a Scientist to lead preclinical evaluation and contribute to early clinical development of viral vaccine candidates through comprehensive immunogenicity assessment. This role will design, optimize, and execute cellular and humoral immune assays to characterize vaccine‑induced responses, generate high quality data to support program decisions. The Scientist will work with a high degree of independence and scientific judgement, driving assay strategy, troubleshooting complex experimental challenges, and interpreting results in the context of broader program goals.

The individual will partner closely with cross‑functional colleagues (e.g., discovery, translational, clinical, bioanalytical, and operations) to align study objectives and ensure timely generation and reporting of high‑quality data in accordance with applicable SOPs and quality standards (e.g., cGLP and/or cGMP where appropriate). The successful candidate is a collaborative, detail‑oriented scientist who can manage multiple priorities, troubleshoot independently, and communicate results and insights effectively and contribute to advancing vaccine programs.

• Lead execution, optimization and troubleshooting of ELISpot/Fluoro Spot assays to quantify antigen‑specific B‑ and T‑cell responses in support of preclinical and clinical vaccine studies.
• Lead processing of mouse tissue samples, including spleens and lymph nodes, as well as human or non‑human primate (NHP) samples, to prepare them for downstream flow‑based functional assays such as surface and intracellular staining (ICS).
• Lead multiparameter flow cytometry experiments for cellular phenotype and functional characterization, including design and optimization of complex flow panels, operation of advanced instruments such as the Spectral‑based Cytek Aurora for sample acquisition, analysis of high‑dimensional datasets using software including Flow Jo, FACS Suite, Diva, or OMIQ, and clear presentation of results to the study teams or broader audience.
• Manage sample and reagent lifecycle activities (receipt, accessioning, inventory, storage, chain‑of‑custody, and preparation for testing) to support multiple studies and timelines.
• Ensure high‑quality documentation, data integrity and reporting in accordance with SOPs and applicable regulatory expectations (e.g., cGLP/cGMP where required); maintain laboratory notebooks and records per policy.
• Provide Immunology expertise and guidance to research teams on the design and evaluation of preclinical vaccine candidates.
• Prepare written summaries and presentations; communicate results, trends, and assay issues at team meetings and contribute to data review discussions with stakeholders.
• Support continuous improvement by proposing and implementing assay optimizations, qualification activities, and workflow efficiencies; help train and mentor junior staff as needed.
• Complete all required safety and compliance training and perform responsibilities in alignment with EHS requirements and all applicable regulations.

• B.S. in Immunology, Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or a related field with 6+ years of relevant laboratory or industry experience, or M.S. with 4+ years of relevant laboratory or industry experience.
• Deep hands‑on experience with cellular immunology methods and/or vaccine immunogenicity readouts (e.g., ELISpot/Fluoro Spot, flow cytometry, ELISA, neutralization assays) including assay design, optimization, troubleshooting, and data interpretation.
• Demons…