Senior Principal Scientist, Computational Chemistry, ADC Chemistry

ROLE SUMMARYThe ADC (Antibody Drug Conjugate) Chemistry group is seeking a highly motivated, creative, and experienced computational chemist with a proven track record of success in drug discovery, to develop novel payloads and linkers for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).You will apply your background in drug development, medicinal chemistry, and computational chemistry to develop new anticancer therapies. Your background in structure-based drug discovery is critical for this position. You will work collaboratively within the chemistry department and researchers across the biology and translational sciences. You will play a vital role as scientific leader and key contributor to large, multi-disciplinary, matrix teams from project inception to delivery of clinical drug candidates.Our location is in Bothell, WA, near Seattle.The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying key opportunities for computational chemistry to impact drug discovery at all stages ranging from target evaluation to hit identification to lead optimization and candidate selection. You will also utilize your computational chemistry and scientific programming expertise to identify methods that can address key challenges and impact drug discovery across the portfolio.The candidate should have good communication and organizational skills and have the ability to work in a flexible, dynamic team environment. As an independent researcher and leading member of project teams in Oncology, you will have opportunities to make numerous direct contributions to Pfizer's drug discovery efforts.ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES:• Structure Based Drug Design(SBDD) and conformational analysis is a key responsibility, to optimize potency and physico-chemical properties of payloads and payloads-linkers.• The primary responsibilities of suitable candidates will be to impact drug discovery projects by identifying the highest impact computational chemistry approaches for specific projects, and developing and delivering timely, high-quality computational solutions.You will:• Participate on multiple interdisciplinary project teams and play a key role in defining project strategies• Analyze potential payload targets to assess their druggability and determine the most promising approaches.• Payloads and linkers suitable for ADCs will be designed in collaboration with the design/synthesis chemists.• Apply molecular modeling and dynamics, AI and homology modeling and related techniques to understand biological targets and the mechanisms of payloads• Use both physics-based and AI/ML methods to impact compound design and screening, including design of parallel libraries and singletons.• Bring new computational approaches from within global Computational Chemistry in Pfizer and the literature to speed ADC discovery.• Define, implement, and influence project design strategy to deliver projects to key decision points.• Influence science at both departmental and external level.• People influence - effective mentor for colleagues in department.BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:• The position requires a PhD in computational chemistry or a related discipline and 5+ years of experience in the Biopharmaceutical Industry, applying computer aided drug discovery techniques to various stages of the drug discovery pathway.• Leading-edge knowledge of computational chemistry principles and a track record of successfully applying them to biopharmaceutical research projects are required.• The candidate should also have strong Linux and programming skills.• The candidate should demonstrate the ability to work in a collaborative environment as exemplified by a strong publication record and should have a strong working knowledge of related disciplines in drug discovery such as medicinal chemistry, structural biology, pharmacology and biophysics, in vivo biology, drug metabolism and drug safety.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:Preferred candidates will have leading-edge knowledge of the following areas with significant experience with most of them:• Computational chemistry concepts and techniques (such as structure-based and ligand-based drug design; protein-ligand interactions, docking and scoring; virtual screening; cheminformatics; QSAR and predictive modeling; AI/ML-based protein modeling and homology modeling; molecular dynamics simulations; free energy perturbation methodologies; AI/ML and generative chemistry for drug design; and application of quantum chemical calculations to drug discovery).• Standard computational chemistry software (such as the Schrodinger suite; CCG MOE; Pipeline Pilot; Gaussian; OpenEye)• Programming and scripting skills (e.g. Python, Linux workflows); experience developing workflows using scientific, numeric, and chemistry libraries such as the OpenEye toolkits and simulation packages such as OpenMM, AMBER, GROMACS, and CHARMM,• A strong working knowledge of related disciplines in drug discovery such as medicinal chemistry, structural biology, pharmacology and biophysics, in vivo biology, drug metabolism and drug safety• Candidate demonstrates a breadth of diverse leadership experiences and capabilities including: the ability to influence and collaborate with peers, develop and coach others, oversee and guide the work of other colleagues to achieve meaningful outcomes and create business impact.ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS• Will report to the Head of ADC Chemistry within Oncology Research.• The candidate will be an integral part of project teams and work closely with medicinal chemistry designers, synthetic chemists, pharmacologists, in vivo biologists, structural biologists, and drug metabolism scientists. The candidate will also have opportunities to work with a great variety of experts from other scientific disciplines across Pfizer. In addition, there will be many opportunities to work with experts in areas such as AI/ML, scientific computing, statistics, and high-performance computing from throughout the Pfizer organization.Candidate demonstrates a breadth of diverse leadership experiences and capabilities including: the ability to influence and collaborate with peers, develop and coach others, oversee and guide the work of other colleagues to achieve meaningful outcomes and create business impact.NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENTREQUIREMENTSOccasional travel to Pfizer La Jolla is expected for key interactions with La Jolla Computational Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry and Structural BiologyAdditional Information:• Relocation support available• Eligible for Employee Referral• Work Location Assignment: On Premise• Last Day to Apply: September 27, 2024The annual base salary for this position ranges from $117,300.00 to $195,500.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer's Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 17.5% 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.Sunshine ActPfizer 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 EligibilityPfizer 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 DevelopmentBreakthroughs that change patients' livesResearch confirms what intuition tells us: that purpose-driven companies perform better, are more innovative, attract and retain the best people, and know how to unleash the power of those people. Pfizer's purpose—Breakthroughs that change patients' lives—fuels everything we do and reflects our passion for building on our legacy as one of the greatest contributors of good to the world.Each word in our purpose has meaning and reflects the value we strive to bring to patients and society:"Breakthroughs" - These are the innovations, scientific and commercial, that we seek to deliver every day. All colleagues, regardless of role, level or location, strive for breakthroughs every day."Change" - We want to do more than simply improve patients' medical conditions; we want to dramatically change their lives for the better."Patients' lives" - We consider not only patients, but everyone they touch—including their families, caregivers, and friends—and everything they love to do. It's an intentionally holistic view.Our purpose ensures that patients remain at the center of all we do. We live our purpose by sourcing the best science in the world; partnering with others in the healthcare system to improve access to our medicines; using digital technologies to enhance our drug discovery and development, as well as patient outcomes; and leading the conversation to advocate for pro-innovation/pro-patient policies.Every decision we make and every action we take is done with the patient in mind—and to nurture an environment where breakthroughs can thrive.Our ValuesTo fully realize Pfizer's purpose, 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.The "how" is represented by four simple, powerful values—courage, excellence, equity, and joy—that define our company and our culture.Courage: Breakthroughs start by challenging convention, especially in the face of uncertainty or adversity. This happens when we think big, speak up, and are decisive.Excellence: We can only change patients' lives when we perform at our best together. This happens when we focus on what matters, agree who does what, and measure our outcomes.Equity: We believe that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and cared for. This happens when we are inclusive, act with integrity, and reduce healthcare disparities.Joy: We give ourselves to our work, but it also gives to us. We find joy when we take pride, recognize one another, and have fun.Benefits at PfizerPfizer offers competitive compensation and benefits programs designed to meet the diverse needs of our colleagues. Our Pay for Performance Philosophy and Practices reward colleagues based on the contributions they make to our business.Our Competitive Benefits Programs help our colleagues by:• Promoting Health and Wellness to help colleagues maintain and improve their physical and mental wellbeing. Pfizer offerings include health and disability insurance, preventative health programs, medical screenings, free or reduced-cost vaccinations, discounts on Pfizer products, mental health support, nutrition and fitness counseling and more.• Strengthening Colleagues' Financial Security by providing company contributions to retirement plans, life insurance and financial planning education to help colleagues achieve their financial goals.• Providing Benefits and Time off for the Moments that Matter to ensure Pfizer colleagues have the time away from the office to recharge, recover and return to work as the best version of themselves. Vacation, Holiday time and Sick time are just the beginning, with a 12 week parental leave policy for both parents of a new born, 10 day of caregiver leave for those times when your family needs you whether it's a child, spouse or parent, bereavement leave, and additional country-specific programs.• And so much more, depending on your country and site, Pfizer offers childcare facilities or discount programs, on-site health and/or fitness centers, movement and mindfulness solutions, "Log in for your Day" work flexibility and so much more.For U.S. based jobs, view an overview of Pfizer's U.S. benefits program (opens in a new window)