ROLE SUMMARY

The Emerging Science & Innovation (ES&I), Emerging Science Lead - Vaccines and Anti-infectives has the following accountabilities:  To be a key driver in harnessing external innovation and strengthening Pfizer WRDM (Worldwide Research, Development and Medical)’s pre-clinical pipeline.

The candidate will perform targeted outreach to the life sciences communities (including academia, biotech, venture firms, consortia, etc.) in key scientific hubs. 

The candidate will have responsibility for the pipeline enhancement of the RUs (Research or Research & Development Units) as well as CTI (Centers for Therapeutic Innovation) by sourcing cutting-edge science, target proposals, discovery projects, assets, as well as relevant breakthrough and enabling technology platforms.

The ES&I Emerging Science Lead will align and work with the Vaccine research and development unit, the Anti-infective research unit and CTI to help build a strategy for the early stage portfolio in collaboration with Chief Scientific Officers and his or her leadership teams.

The role supports Pfizer's broad strategic objectives which include creating a future R&D ecosystem where internal capabilities and science blend with external innovation and where breakthrough ideas can develop into differentiated medicines.

This role champions a culture of innovative thinking, scientific excellence, courage, entrepreneurship, strategic execution, equity, and joy.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identification and evaluation of external cutting-edge emerging science of strategic fit for WRDM in the discovery to clinical candidate & technology space to source partnerships (including research collaborations, licensing, and acquisitions) for CTI and RUs

• The ESL has networking & sourcing responsibilities for Vaccine-related science to provide both CTI and RUs with innovative cutting-edge science, including novel biology, targets, lead discovery, up to CAN projects, or breakthrough and enabling technologies & platforms from academia, biotech and other life science community sources

• Network with CTI partnered and other leading academic institutions/PIs in key scientific hubs to source new projects and target ideas

• Leverage Pfizer internal capability to establish WRDM as a partner-of-choice and secure collaborations (e.g., through in-kind contributions, equity investments, combination/leveraging Pfizer internal assets, partnership with Pfizer Ignite, etc.)

• Lead early projects or partnerships sourced via ESF, ITEN, CTI as needed

• Represent WRDM at key events & conferences as needed in the respective region of responsibility. Pending Pfizer’s business needs the incumbent may have responsibilities that extend beyond the specific region (e.g., US, Canada, Europe).

• Set the pre-clinical partnering strategy with RUs as well as CTI, identifying the most promising external innovation fitting the strategic need, rigorously assessing the science & technology (by self as well as by building diligence teams as appropriate), running the diligence and, together with Legal and BD colleagues, driving the governance process as appropriate.

• Fiscal responsibilities (investing as well as monitoring spend; e.g., milestones, etc.) with regard to budgets, funding, and/or investments.

• Leverage Pfizer WRDM capabilities, including ES&I internal capabilities (e.g., CTI and Target Sciences) as in-kind contributions to secure cutting-edge partnerships.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD, MD/PhD with 7+ years of relevant experience, or Master's degree with 9+ years of relevant experience

• An accomplished track record in vaccine or anti-infective related R&D

• A strong EQ for internal (within ES&I, RUs/WRDM) and external networking and communication, including presentations to Pfizer leadership (e.g., CSOs, WRDM LT), potential external partners, and at scientific & partnering conferences

• Long standing disease area expertise and diverse biology skills applicable to vaccine research and development for both prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines. Anti-infective vaccine experience required.

• Demonstrated strong networking capabilities (internal & external)

• Experience in project leadership

• Outstanding written and oral communication skills and demonstrated ability to communicate well across multiple business/group lines

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in vaccines specifically focused in prophylactic, bacterial and viral vaccines and/or therapeutic vaccines as well as other scientific fields

• Knowledge and experience in other therapeutic areas such as inflammatory diseases, metabolic and/or oncology would also desirable

• Experience in developing scientific and business strategies to support innovative pharmaceutical product development in pharma/biotech

• Experience with search and evaluation, due diligence, relationship and collaboration building, alliance management

• Experience in pharmaceutical drug development (Idea to Candidate) processes

• Experience in managing/tracking R&D budgets

• Experience with New Chemical Entity (NCE) and New Biologic Entity (NBE) products

 
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 ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

A minimum of 20% travel may be required

Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.