The Pfizer Oncology Research & Development group in La Jolla is seeking a full-time employee to support the small molecule drug discovery efforts through a leading role in our high-throughput screening (HTS) and sample logistics laboratories.  The successful candidate will provide our Oncology project teams with expert strategic, scientific, and technical expertise towards the development of screening strategies.  In addition, the candidate will work with a high degree of independence for HTS assay development, data analysis, hit-identification with internal and external resources while actively engaging in the project science to participate in constructive decision-making to advance the drug discovery process.  The candidate will also oversee the Sample Logistics (compound management) team to inform them of oncology portfolio priorities to balance the lab workload in addition to facilitating communication between chemists and assay scientists for creation of compound libraries and atypical compound delivery workflows, respectively.

Role Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic, scientific, and technical leadership for the development of effective screening strategies to identify suitable chemical leads for our small molecule drug discovery programs.  This includes the development of HTS screens across a breadth of target classes, including cellular phenotypic assays, biochemical activity and binding assays for enzyme and receptor targets and the development of effective secondary assays to select high quality chemical leads for early discovery programs

• Lead/Contribute to the establishment of robust screening methods and automated technologies to identify, characterize, and prioritize screening hits - particularly with regard to prioritize high quality hits and removal of false positives (e.g. assays artifacts, PAINs, aggregators, redox sensitive compounds).  Recommend which chemical library files are best suited for the project small-molecule discovery goals.  Help drive project team decisions for next steps in the screen cascade workflow
• Maintain current in relevant literature and innovative technologies and their application to HTS screening technologies and computational methods.
• Interface collaboratively with Oncology project teams, discovery biologists, medicinal chemists, and biochemistry members as the point of contact for mid-scale to high throughput screens and scientific contribution. Consult with scientists on best practices for data analysis, data types (e.g., %Effect, %Control, FOB), protocol registration and data publication while bridging communication to global contacts for ActivityBase and template development to streamline their workflow
• Ensure high-quality, timely documentation in electronic laboratory notebooks and Technical Reports, and contribute to Regulatory Filings and responses to Regulatory questions as appropriate
• Present data/strategy to and management in internal and external venues (technical meetings, Project Team meetings, conferences) and publish in peer-reviewed journals, as appropriate 
• Communicate Oncology HTS needs with the global HTS portfolio POC to coordinate the resources and timelines for internal and external screens.
• Partner with global Business Technology (BT) as a La Jolla representative to provide input as an end user for development of software tools that support the drug discovery process such as protocol registration and data analysis applications. Participate in product testing prior to roll-out of new and enhanced application versions to the end user.  Partner with BT to build applications necessary to bridge gaps in the end-to-end process of compound plating through data analysis to support Sample logistics and the assay scientists.
• Demonstrate strong leadership, personal accountability and interpersonal skills, and capability for mentoring junior colleagues (direct reports and others), and establish safe, high-quality lab practices
• Lead/ contribute to maintain operational excellence in our Sample Logistics lab, compound managements facilities, including continuous improvement in systems and efficiencies for providing accurate and timely distribution of chemical compounds to scientists and assays using computerized/automated systems
• Facilitate complex compound workflows in collaboration with scientist and the Sample logistics lab for creation of assay-ready plates.  This can include ordering/tracking compounds for new subset libraries with fit for purpose compound formatting for downstream assays, design of templates to manage the compound plating for assays and organization of assay ready plate files

Basic Qualifications:

• The candidate must have a Ph.D. in biochemistry or cell biology (or related field) with 8+ years of experience in managing HTS assay development and screening with a strong, well-established ability and track record to develop and perform robust, HTS assays for the discovery of small molecule leads for drug discovery projects.

• Demonstrated ability to develop 384-well plate based biochemical and cellular assays for screening and orthogonal assays for follow-up. Also to have an understanding and experience with developing counterscreening assays to detect screen artifacts and PAIN compounds.
• Highly experienced in prosecuting data analysis and quality control check of internal and external screening data using IDBS ActivityBase and customized laboratory electronic notebook templates.  Proven ability to assimilate, interpret and summarize screen results for project team review using software such as PerkinElmer Spotfire, D360 and have knowledge or capacity to learn Pfizer proprietary tools.
• The candidate must demonstrate strong leadership, personal accountability and interpersonal skills, and capability for mentoring junior colleagues (direct reports and others), and establish safe, high-quality lab practices. In addition, the candidate should display a strong strategic understanding of small molecule drug discovery activities and have a broad understanding of cross-discipline drug discovery processes within a matrix-project team setting.
• The candidate should possess excellent communication skills (written, verbal), proven leadership skills, and the demonstrated ability to make good decisions and influence teams to advance projects and navigate the complexities of HTS activity-based and binding assays.
• Corresponding or senior-authored publications in top-tier journals.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A scientific background in oncology and/or immuno-oncology drug discovery

Physical/Mental Requirements:

• Ability to perform complex data analysis and to interpret data and communicate results to management and external peers.
• Must be able to work safely in a laboratory environment with lab coat, protective eye wear, and gloves.
• The job requires standing and walking on a daily basis.

Other Job Details:

• Eligible for Relocation Package
• Eligible for Employee Referral Bonus

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.

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