Principal Scientist, Process Chemistry

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.

Pfizer offers competitive compensation and benefits programs designed to meet the diverse needs of our colleagues.

The Chemical Process and Analytical Development (CPAD) group in Bothell, WA develops innovative and phase‑appropriate synthetic routes and scalable chemical processes, for novel small molecule targeted therapeutics. Our process chemists, analytical scientists, and chemical engineers collaborate to design robust, safe, and scalable chemistry that accelerates delivery of life‑changing therapeutics to patients.

As a Principal Scientist, Process Chemistry, you will serve as a key technical leader driving route scouting, synthetic design, process development, and process characterization for our expanding portfolio. You will apply a strong foundation in modern synthetic organic chemistry and process development to build scalable, innovative chemistry using state‑of‑the‑art technologies (HTE, data‑rich experimentation, continuous processing, catalysis, and predictive tools).

This role provides the opportunity to contribute through hands‑on laboratory innovation while guiding strategy for early and late‑stage programs. You will mentor junior scientists, influence cross‑functional project direction, and represent process chemistry both internally and externally. You will also oversee execution of GMP production batches through technology transfer and campaign oversight.

• Design, execute, and interpret complex laboratory experiments aimed at route development, process optimization, and scale‑up.
• Maintain rigorous laboratory records, author patents, and contribute to regulatory documents.
• Apply modern synthetic organic chemistry principles, high‑throughput experimentation, mechanistic insight, and data‑rich methods to accelerate development.
• Effectively communicate scientific strategy, risks, and solutions to project teams, leadership, and partner functions.
• Drive alignment to project timelines and portfolio strategy.
• Mentor junior staff and foster an inclusive, scientifically rigorous, and collaborative environment.
• Lead technology transfer and partner interactions to enable external development campaigns.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships across CPAD, partner functions, and project teams.
• Establish an external technical presence through publications and presentations.

• PhD in Organic Chemistry with 4+ years of industry experience in pharmaceutical process development, including route design, scale‑up, and GMP manufacturing; or a Master’s degree with 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Deep foundational understanding of synthetic organic chemistry, reaction mechanisms, process development, and modern purification and analytical technologies.
• Demonstrated scientific impact via peer‑reviewed publications, patents, or conference presentations.
• Strong communication skills with ability to collaborate across scientific and engineering disciplines.
• Experience supporting development from preclinical through commercial stages.
• Experience in regulated pharmaceutical environments including GMP operations and authoring regulatory submissions.
• This is an on‑site role (5 days/week).
• Submission of a research summary is required.

• Experience developing drug‑linkers for ADCs, PROTACS, DACs or other targeted mixed‑modality therapeutics.
• Experience mentoring and developing scientific staff.
• Experience with technology transfer and oversight of external development work.

Experience at innovator pharmaceutical companies strongly preferred.

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