Senior Associate Scientist, Automation

We’re in relentless pursuit of breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. We innovate every day to make the world a healthier place.To fully realize Pfizer’s purpose – Breakthroughs that change patients’ lives – we have established a clear set of expectations regarding “what” we need to achieve for patients and “how” we will go about achieving those goals.Pfizer Research & Development serves as the beating heart of Pfizer's trailblazing product pipeline, the essence of our mission to bring life-changing medicines to the world.We are seeking an Associate Scientist to join the CRD Automation & Robotics group within Chemical Research and Development (CRD). This group will develop an automated, robotic laboratory infrastructure that delivers a 10-fold productivity gain including a 50% cycle time reduction for key CRD workflows as well as driving enhanced sustainability. They will create a synergistic data infrastructure to promote rich, systemic, automated data generation and curation. They will harness machine learning to drive unattended decisions (self-optimization and self-correction) as well as to aid in experiment design. These goals will be achieved through partnership with other disciplines including data scientists, analytical chemists, engineers, and process chemists to develop digital and robotic automation platforms.The successful candidate will develop and deploy automation and technology processes for pharmaceutical drug candidates in a laboratory setting.ROLE RESPONSIBILITIESThe successful candidate will help design, prototype and develop laboratory automation solutions for process development applications as part of a multi-disciplinary team.Assist with design and testing of modular hardware to facilitate data-rich experimentation.Enable use of digital tools for machine learning and self-optimization to enhance automation goals.Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to implement automated equipment and develop novel solutions for execution of laboratory experimentation.Innovate with academic and industrial collaborators to identify unmet needs and develop novel solutions.Partner with process chemists and engineers on suitable experimentation to deliver CRD workflows for small molecule drug development.Implement a robotic control system for orchestration of multiple workstreams using modular laboratory equipment.Enable data management systems to retrieve, process and store relevant lab data from both manual and automated experiments.Participation with departmental initiatives, continuous improvement teams, scientific presentations, and external collaborations to influence scientific and business impact of the group.QUALIFICATIONSM.S. in Chemical, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or related Mechatronics discipline (or within 6 months of completing a program) or a B.S. with 3+ years’ experience in a related field. No industrial experience necessary.Experience with robotic arm programming to enable automated task sequences.Demonstrated ability to design and develop creative solutions, ideally targeted towards application for laboratory automation.Creative thinking and problem-solving skills at the interface of chemistry, engineering and data science.Experience with CAD designs and prototyping new equipment.Experience in integrating automated hardware and analytical devices, e.g. XYZ cartesian and/or 6/7-axes robotic arms with process analytical technologies.Knowledge of coding languages such as Python or C++ for automation controls, data management and/or AI/ML applications.Excellent written and oral communication skills, the ability to effectively work with a multi-disciplinary team comprised of chemists, chemical engineers, computer scientists and data scientists.PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTSLaboratory work requiring standing.Working at a computer.Ability to use sound scientific judgment and analyze data to advance programs.NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTSTravel is required on occasion to support external collaborations, cross-site technology development or to participate in scientific conferences.Work Location Assignment: On Premise, with relocation support available.

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