Senior Scientist, Process Analytical Technology, Analytical R&D

Why Patients Need You 

Here at Pfizer, we have a specific purpose – to find breakthroughs that change patients' lives. At Pfizer we are a patient centric company, guided by our four values: courage, joy, equity and excellence.  Our breakthrough culture lends itself to our dedication to transforming millions of lives.   

Our Analytical Research and Development Department, at Pfizer R&D in Sandwich, UK plays a critical role in transforming patients’ lives around the world.  As part of Worldwide R&D in Pharmaceutical Sciences, we are responsible for the research, development, and manufacture of medicines for studies at all phases of clinical development.  Our scientists’ partner with manufacturing specialists for  

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) synthesis in laboratory and pilot plant facilities.  We also provide support for technology transfer to Pfizer manufacturing sites and third-party facilities worldwide.  

We are seeking someone with a desire to work in Process Analytical Technology (PAT) and chemometrics to join our Analytical Research and Development team (ARD) in Sandwich.  You will join a diverse and multi-disciplinary team of chemists, analysts, and chemical engineers from Pfizer R&D. You will play key a role in Pfizer’s strategy to deliver continuous processing technologies to enhance speed, quality and flexibility in API development and manufacturing.  

This role is highly collaborative, interacting with counterparts working on similar platforms and systems at different locations across Pfizer’s R&D and manufacturing network. The position offers the diversity of research and development at all phases of clinical development to launch, and the opportunity to mentor peers as well as interact with senior leadership.  

Job Focus  

The Senior Scientist role focusses on Process Analytical Technology (PAT) and the use of chemometrics for the development and manufacture of API in Pfizer’s small-molecule R&D portfolio. It requires hands-on development and implementation of advanced analytical measurement science and data analysis techniques. 

Responsibilities  

You will design and perform laboratory experiments related to developing PAT methods and online analysis integrated within the continuous chemistry operations.  You will collect and analyse data and apply chemometrics principles to support the development of synthetic chemistry processes.  You will validate and transfer the PAT methods and models to clinical and commercial API manufacturing facilities.  You will provide analytical solutions to assess the automation and control of novel continuous manufacturing platforms. 

Skills and Experience  

We are looking for someone with a passion for the theory and application of PAT, including vibrational spectroscopy (NIR, IR, Raman, UV), and an enthusiasm to meet the challenges in the integration of online process analytics to synthetic chemistry processes, solid or liquid samples. We are transforming our organisation to be “digital by design”, so we are looking for people who are accustomed with data collection and analysis, including chemometrics approaches and databasing principles.  Experience in the use of MATLAB, Process Pulse, LabVIEW, or equivalents is preferred. 

Additional skills and experience could include: advanced data searching and visualisation tools and deploying data modelling and simulation packages; an understanding of the differences between Pharmaceutical R&D and commercial manufacturing environments and experience with Process Analytical Technology (PAT) method development, validation and implementation; to have engineering experience, continuous manufacturing, or process control experience in the Pharmaceutical, fine chemical or related industry.   

Qualifications  

BSc, MSc or Ph.D. degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Pharmaceutical Sciences with experience in a relevant industry.   

 #LI-PFE