Job Description

Why Patients Need You

Pfizer’s purpose is to 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

Pfizer-Boulder Research and Development is a fully integrated research unit in Boulder Colorado dedicated to the discovery and development of targeted small molecule drugs for patients afflicted with cancer. The Structural Biology group within Pfizer-Boulder R & D has a position for a junior level scientist with cell culture experience. This scientist will be responsible for maintaining and scaling up (≥5L) insect cell, mammalian cell, and sometimes E. coli cultures for recombinant protein expressions. A secondary role is generating, expanding, and assessing baculovirus stocks to enable large scale expressions. The individual may also be involved in molecular cloning and basic protein analysis and characterization. Knowledge in cell biology and experience in handling mammalian and insect cell cultures are essential for this role.

How You Will Achieve It

Passage suspended insect and mammalian cell cultures.

Generate and maintain baculovirus stocks for expressing recombinant proteins in insect cells.

Perform titrations and flow cytometry to determine viral titer.

Evaluate and optimize protein expression in insect cells, mammalian cells, and E. coli.

Multi-liter scale of protein expressions in insect cells and E. coli.

Document and maintain records on constructs, strains, and protein expressions.

Perform molecular cloning and DNA preparation for transfection.

Exercise and build basic team effectiveness skills {e.g., commitment, feedback, consensus management} within the immediate work group.

Assist in ordering supplies and stocking laboratory.

Present progress to colleagues.

Collect and analyze data to support troubleshooting and process improvement.

Stay current on all departmental and corporate training.

Qualifications

Must-Have

BS in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or related biological science

Experience routinely passaging cell cultures within an industrial or academic research institute setting (cell culture experience from a lab course does not qualify).

Proficient in Microsoft Office.

Able to work independently yet cooperatively; enthusiastic about learning new biology and techniques, and readily apply those learnings to immediate challenges.

Excellent communications and documentation skills.

Nice-to-Have

1 year of cell culture experience, insect or mammalian cells preferred.

Knowledgeable of flow cytometry and experience with designing multicolor panels.

Experience in insect or mammalian cell transfection and protein expression in fore mentioned hosts.

Experience in developing and troubleshooting assays.

Performed gel electrophoresis for DNA and protein analysis and immunoblotting.

Knowledge of molecular biology techniques such as cloning, PCR, and transformation.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Able to lift 50 lb objects with dimensions 12 inches in height and 26 inches in width.

Must be able to wear PPE (lab coat, safety shoes/glasses/etc).

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

Must have flexible work schedule as some weekend work required