Postdoctoral Fellow, Computational & Tumor Cell Biology - Pfizer
La Jolla, CA
About the Job
Why Patients Need You
At Pfizer we 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.
What You Will Achieve
We are seeking a skilled and exceptionally driven computational biologist with hands-on wet bench expertise to join a team dedicated to uncovering and advancing novel therapies that target vulnerabilities in hormone-driven cancers. The postdoctoral fellow will work in an inter-disciplinary environment and will have the opportunity to advance cutting-edge cancer therapeutics through Pfizer’s robust oncology pipeline. The postdoctoral fellow will collaborate with renowned cancer centers and the African Caribbean Cancer Consortium to identify novel genetic determinants that impact the prognosis of hormone-driven cancers among those of African ancestry. The postdoctoral fellow will also collaborate with biologists, technologists, translational oncology leads, statisticians and computational biology colleagues on applying machine learning algorithms in drug discovery problems such as predicting drug response and translating findings from in vitro, to in vivo and patient data. The postdoctoral fellow is expected to utilize cutting-edge computational methods for integrative analysis and biological interpretation of high-dimensional molecular data. The successful candidate should have strong biological and computational background, with proven capability of solving complex problems by creating innovative analytical solutions.
How You will Achieve It
Successful Candidates will be expected to:
- Lead and contribute to publication on hormone-driven cancers
- Drive computational analysis of large-scale molecular data from patient dataset in collaboration with teams
- Conduct in silico analysis to address questions such as identifying somatic drivers of cancer using tumor-derived molecular OMICs data.
- Spear-head collaborations with external colleagues to analyze molecular data.
- Actively participate in multidisciplinary project teams to formulate data-driven, actionable hypotheses.
- Apply machine learning algorithms for drug discovery.
- Contribute effectively to a shared codebase that can be leveraged broadly for multiple applications.
Qualifications:
Must-Have
- Ph.D. or equivalent in computational biology, genetics/genomics, biostatistics or a related field.
- Successful record of scientific accomplishments as indicated by scientific publications and/or presentations. At least one first-author publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
- Willingness to make a minimum 2-year commitment.
- No more than 2 years of post-degree experience.
- Proficiency in statistical analysis using R, a scripting language (Perl or Python) and working with the UNIX/LINUX environment.
- Deep knowledge of high throughput molecular profiling and experience in mining “big OMICS data”, e.g. RNA-Seq, WES, CRISPR etc.
- Proficiency with foundational cell and molecular biology techniques; for example: vector design & cloning, CRISPR-mediated gene editing, stable cell line generation, qRT-PCR, Western blotting, ELISA, IP/ChIP, NGS sample preparation, 2D/3D proliferation assays.
- Track record of innovative and proactive problem solving, preferably in cancer biology and medicine.
- Ability to multi-task, effectively communicate (oral and written) and work with diverse expertise teams.
- Strong background in cancer genomics is highly desired.
- Experience in productive collaboration with bench scientists is highly desirable.
Nice to have
- Expertise applying machine learning methods to multi-omics/high-dimensional data analysis is a plus.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to perform mathematical calculation and ability to perform complex data analysis. Ability to work in the laboratory.
NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS
Ability to adhere to safe work practices and procedures.
OTHER JOB DETAILS
- Must have work authorization in the US.
- Work Location Assignment: On Premise. On Premise colleagues work in a Pfizer site because it’s needed to get their job done. They may have flexibility to work remotely from time to time, but they are primarily on-site.
The annual base salary for this position ranges from $60,900.00 to $101,500.00. 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.
Sunshine Act
Pfizer reports payments and other transfers of value to health care providers as required by federal and state transparency laws and implementing regulations. These laws and regulations require Pfizer to provide government agencies with information such as a health care provider’s name, address and the type of payments or other value received, generally for public disclosure. Subject to further legal review and statutory or regulatory clarification, which Pfizer intends to pursue, reimbursement of recruiting expenses for licensed physicians may constitute a reportable transfer of value under the federal transparency law commonly known as the Sunshine Act. Therefore, if you are a licensed physician who incurs recruiting expenses as a result of interviewing with Pfizer that we pay or reimburse, your name, address and the amount of payments made currently will be reported to the government. If you have questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your Talent Acquisition representative.
EEO & Employment Eligibility
Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Pfizer is an E-Verify employer. This position requires permanent work authorization in the United States.
Research and Development