Associate Scientist (Innovation)

About the role

Pfizer Research and Development is seeking a motivated, detail-oriented, and scientifically curious Associate Scientist to support laboratory innovation and workflow modernization at the Pearl River, NY site. This role is focused on improving laboratory efficiency, assay performance, data quality, and operational reliability through hands-on scientific work, process optimization, automation-driven improvements, and evaluation of emerging laboratory technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Support Pfizer Research and Development laboratory activities through hands-on experimental work, assay execution, and data analysis.
• Assist with assay development, assay optimization, troubleshooting, and validation-support activities.
• Prepare, execute, and document laboratory experiments according to established scientific procedures and project requirements.
• Cover experimental data with a focus on accuracy, completeness, traceability, and scientific relevance.
• Contribute to the design and refinement of experimental workflows that improve assay reliability, reproducibility, and efficiency.
• Work with senior scientists to evaluate results, identify trends, troubleshoot unexpected findings, and recommend next steps.
• Contribute to the development, evaluation, and implementation of improved laboratory workflows.
• Identify opportunities to streamline repetitive laboratory processes, reduce manual effort, improve data capture, and enhance overall lab productivity.
• Support process optimization efforts that improve sample handling, assay throughput, data integrity, and turnaround time.
• Aid in the translation of laboratory needs into practical workflow improvements that can be adopted by scientific teams.
• Assist in testing new tools, systems, and workflows before broader implementation.
• Support the creation of scalable solutions that can be used across multiple laboratory teams or scientific programs.
• Collaborate with automation experts to evaluate and implement automation-driven improvements for laboratory operations.
• Support the integration of laboratory automation tools, liquid handling systems, digital platforms, and data management solutions.
• Assist with testing, troubleshooting, and refining automated or semi-automated workflows.
• Evaluate new laboratory technologies that may improve efficiency, consistency, or data reliability.
• Support the use of digital tools and AI-enabled solutions for data analysis, workflow improvement, or laboratory decision support.
• Help document automation workflows, user requirements, test results, limitations, and recommended improvements.
• Support assay development and optimization activities by testing conditions, evaluating performance, and identifying areas for improvement.
• Troubleshoot assay performance issues, workflow bottlenecks, equipment-related challenges, and data quality concerns.
• Assist in evaluating assay robustness, reproducibility, sensitivity, specificity, and workflow efficiency.
• Collaborate with scientists to refine protocols, improve consistency, and support reliable experimental outcomes.
• Participate in method transfer, workflow standardization, and continuous improvement activities as needed.
• Ensure experimental procedures are followed accurately and deviations or unexpected results are appropriately documented.
• Collect and review experimental data with a focus on accuracy, completeness, traceability, and scientific relevance.
• Support data analysis and interpretation using appropriate scientific and statistical methods.
• Aid in organizing datasets, preparing summaries, and presenting results to project teams.
• Work with data teams to improve data capture, data organization, data accessibility, and reporting.
• Help identify opportunities to improve data quality through better workflow design, automation, templates, or digital tools.
• Maintain strong attention to data integrity and documentation standards.
• Work closely with scientists, laboratory operations teams, automation specialists, data teams, and quality partners.
• Participate in project meetings, technical discussions, workflow reviews, and process improvement initiatives.
• Communicate experimental results, workflow observations, technical issues, and recommendations clearly to team members.
• Support collaboration between scientific and technical teams to ensure new tools and workflows meet real laboratory needs.
• Help bridge the gap between scientific requirements, automation capabilities, digital tools, and operational execution.
• Contribute to a collaborative, innovative, and quality-focused research environment.
• Follow applicable laboratory procedures, safety requirements, documentation standards, and quality expectations.
• Maintain clear, accurate, and timely records of experiments, protocols, observations, results, and workflow changes.
• Support quality partners by providing accurate documentation and participating in review processes as needed.
• Aid in standard operating procedures, training materials, workflow guides, and technical documentation.
• Ensure laboratory work is performed with appropriate attention to safety, consistency, traceability, and scientific integrity.
• Identify potential quality or process risks and communicate them to appropriate team members.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline required.
• Relevant laboratory experience in a research, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, or clinical research environment.
• Hands-on experience with assay execution, experimental design support, data collection, and laboratory documentation.
• Strong interest in laboratory automation, workflow modernization, digital tools, and process improvement.
• Ability to follow protocols carefully while also contributing ideas for improvement.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret scientific data.
• Excellent attention to detail, organization, and documentation practices.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with scientists, technical teams, automation specialists, and quality partners.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced research and development environment with changing priorities.
• Commitment to laboratory safety, quality, data integrity, and scientific excellence.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in assay development, assay optimization, troubleshooting, or method improvement.
• Familiarity with laboratory automation systems, liquid handlers, plate readers, robotics, or high-throughput workflows.
• Experience with digital lab tools, electronic lab notebooks, LIMS, data visualization tools, or scientific data platforms.
• Exposure to AI-enabled tools, machine learning-assisted analysis, or automated data processing workflows.
• Experience working in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, vaccine research, immunology, infectious disease, or biologics research environments.
• Familiarity with regulated or quality-focused laboratory environments.
• Experience preparing technical summaries, protocols, workflow documentation, or scientific presentations.
• Basic understanding of statistics, data analysis, or scripting tools such as Python, R, or similar platforms is a plus.

Work Environment

This position is based at Pfizer’s Pearl River, NY research and development site. The role involves hands-on laboratory work, collaboration with scientific and technical teams, and participation in workflow modernization initiatives. The position may require working with biological samples, laboratory equipment, automation platforms, digital systems, and standard research laboratory procedures.

Compensation & Benefits

Pfizer offers a competitive compensation and benefits package based on experience, qualifications, and location. Benefits may include medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plan options, paid time off, wellness programs, professional development opportunities, and additional company-sponsored benefits.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Pfizer is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, business needs, and individual merit. Pfizer is committed to maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative workplace where employees can contribute to meaningful scientific innovation.