
Associate Research Fellow, Early Formulation Science & Drug Delivery
San Diego, CAFellowship$163–272K/yrSeen 1 day agoSeen in employer's feed 1 day ago
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Job overview
The Associate Research Fellow will lead scientific work in Pfizer’s Early Formulation Science and Drug Delivery group, advancing portfolio deliverables and scientific initiatives. The role involves cross-functional collaboration, mentorship, and strategic direction for early small-molecule drug delivery. The group’s work spans compound selection, pre-formulation development, solid-form characterization, biopharmaceutics, and early clinical drug-delivery strategy.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Benefits
Full job description
ROLE SUMMARY
The Associate Research Fellow position will be a strong scientific and leadership role within the Early Formulation Science and Drug Delivery (EFS-DD) group. The selected candidate will interface with multi-disciplinary research project teams and cross functional management, advance both portfolio deliverables and scientific initiatives with deep science and strategic thought, and provide guidance and mentorship to other scientists. EFS-DD holds portfolio responsibilities in the areas of early-stage compound selection, pre-formulation development, solid form characterization, biopharmaceutics understanding, and early clinical drug delivery strategy of new small molecules. The role resides within the Drug Product Design and Supply department which functions as part of the larger Pharmaceutical Sciences division.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/ABILITIES INCLUDE:
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Strong fundamental understanding of the concepts and connectivity of molecular structure, solid form, dissolution kinetics, thermodynamics, diffusion/permeation behavior, etc, and the ability to apply this knowledge to the design and development of formulations
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Efficient application of existing advanced modeling and simulation tools for predictive performance of oral absorption and systemic exposure (pharmacokinetics) in pre-clinical and clinical studies
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Leadership of matrix teams of scientists across multiple levels to deliver portfolio and initiative breakthroughs
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Leadership of scientific strategy and direction for advances in oral, small molecule drug delivery through interaction with organizational thought leaders and cross functional management
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Conduct novel scientific research and present significant findings via internal and external presentations or publications
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
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PhD in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Physical Chemistry, Physical Organic Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry or related discipline with 15+ years relevant experience in industry after degree/post doc, or BS/MS in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Physical Chemistry, Physical Organic Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry or related discipline with a minimum of 20 years relevant pharmaceutics industry experience in small molecule drug product design.
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Small molecule Formulation, Materials Science, and/or early Biopharmaceutics background, and a strong record of scientific achievement
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Experience in using and interpreting biophysical modeling, physicochemical (solubility & dissolution) and biological (passive, transporter mediated, efflux) transport phenomena, design, interpretation, and use of in vitro experiments, and interpretation of pre-clinical exposure data for the design and selection of new small molecule drug candidates and drug delivery systems
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Motivation to learn and implement new technologies and concepts.
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A strong interest in leadership
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Extensive practical experience working within cross-disciplinary teams and achieving results in a matrix environment.
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Excellent organizational and communication (oral and written) skills.
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The ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively.
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Proven track record of supervising, mentoring and coaching scientists.
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Understanding of drug discovery and development concepts
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Experience in actively developing and advancing scientific initiatives and external collaborations.
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Collaborative and effective partnering skills applied in a complex, multi-disciplinary organization
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.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Physical requirements include sitting, standing, performing laboratory tasks. Mental requirements include performing data analysis, strategic thinking/planning.
NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS
Occasional travel or non-standard hours may be required.
Relocation support available
Work Location Assignment: On Premise
The annual base salary for this position ranges from $162,900.00 to $271,500.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer's Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 20.0% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program. We offer comprehensive and generous benefits and programs to help our colleagues lead healthy lives and to support each of life's moments. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage. Learn more at Pfizer Candidate Site - U.S. Benefits | (uscandidates.mypfizerbenefits.com). Pfizer compensation structures and benefit packages are aligned based on the location of hire. The United States salary range provided does not apply to Tampa, FL or any location outside of the United States.
This role is posted in multiple locations. If you are applying for the role in an secondary job posting location where pay transparency regulations apply, your Talent Advisor will share the local pay information with you during the first interview.
Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.
Candidates must be authorized to be employed in the U.S. by any employer.
U.S. work visa sponsorship (such as TN, O-1, H-1B, etc.) is not available for this role now or in the future.
Sunshine Act
Pfizer reports payments and other transfers of value to health care providers as required by federal and state transparency laws and implementing regulations. These laws and regulations require Pfizer to provide government agencies with information such as a health care provider's name, address and the type of payments or other value received, generally for public disclosure. Subject to further legal review and statutory or regulatory clarification, which Pfizer intends to pursue, reimbursement of recruiting expenses for licensed physicians may constitute a reportable transfer of value under the federal transparency law commonly known as the Sunshine Act. Therefore, if you are a licensed physician who incurs recruiting expenses as a result of interviewing with Pfizer that we pay or reimburse, your name, address and the amount of payments made currently will be reported to the government. If you have questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your Talent Acquisition representative.
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. This position requires permanent work authorization in the United States.
Pfizer endeavors to make www.pfizer.com/careers accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process and/or interviewing, please email [email protected]. This is to be used solely for accommodation requests with respect to the accessibility of our website, online application process and/or interviewing. Requests for any other reason will not be returned.
To learn more about acceptable and prohibited uses of AI during the recruitment process, please review our candidate AI-use guidelines available on Pfizer Careers.
Research and Development
How this job compares
Set against the 4,677 open Researcher jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 4, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$163–272K/yr
- California median$150–235K/yr433 salary ranges
- US median$102–148K/yr2,115 salary ranges
This range's midpoint, $217K, is 9% above the California median midpoint ($199K) — in the middle half of Researcher salary ranges in California.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 745 open Researcher jobs in California and 4,677 across the US. 2% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most in California
- University of Southern California53 open
- Google50 open
- OpenAI48 open
- Experience
- This posting asks for at least 15 years of experience — more than three in four Researcher postings that state a minimum ask for (median 4 years, across 1,507 postings).
- Education
- 3,121 of the 4,677 open Researcher jobs (67%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 4, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.
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