Senior Computational Chemist
Pfizer
4 hours ago
Remote friendly (La Jolla, CA)
United States
Other
Key Responsibilities
Chemistry Data Enablement (Data Science / Data Engineering)
- Lead the design, curation, and application of high-quality chemistry and pharmacology datasets used across multiple discovery programs.
- Architect and deploy data pipelines and transformations that enable scalable, reproducible data analytics and modeling.
- Set expectations for data quality and fitness-for-purpose in collaboration with scientific and platform stakeholders.
Applied ML and Cheminformatics
- Independently frame ambiguous medicinal chemistry problems into clear computational strategies and decision-support analyses.
- Drive the application of ML and Cheminformatics models to high-impact drug discovery questions.
- Critically assess model performance and limitations, guiding appropriate interpretation and use in project decisions.
Rapid Prototyping & Front-End Development
- Deliver robust, reusable, and well-documented scientific software aligned with modern best practices.
- Lead rapid prototyping of chemistry and cheminformatics applications to validate workflows and user experience with end users.
- Partner closely with chemists and software teams to evolve successful prototypes into production-ready solutions.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Delivery
- Effectively bridge chemistry, data science, and software perspectives to align stakeholders around robust solutions.
- Influence projects through technical insight, credibility, and data-driven recommendations.
- Contribute to the scientific culture of MLCS through knowledge sharing, internal talks, and cross-team collaboration.
Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry, Cheminformatics, Computer Science, or related fields; or M.S. with substantial relevant industry experience.
- Deep understanding of cheminformatics concepts: molecular representations, similarity methods, QSAR, virtual screening, chemical spaces.
- Experience analyzing large, complex chemistry-related datasets.
- Strong proficiency in Python and cheminformatics toolkits (RDKit or equivalent).
- Experience with standard data science packages (numpy, pandas, etc.).
- Proven experience applying ML models in real-world discovery projects.
- Practical experience with rapid application or UI prototyping in a scientific context.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience in pharmaceutical or biotech drug discovery environments.
- Familiarity with deploying and scaling scientific workflows and applications.
- Experience with database design and processing (SQL, RestAPI).
- Experience in large-scale data handling and developing data pipelines.
- Familiarity developing code collaboratively (GitHub, code review & sharing).
- Familiarity working in HPC (e.g., SLURM) or cloud-based (AWS, GCP) environments.
- Familiarity using agentic coding environments (GitHub Copilot or equivalent).
Additional Information / Benefits (explicitly stated)
- Relocation support available.
- Work location: Hybrid.
- Bonus target: 15% of base salary (Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan) and eligibility for share-based long-term incentive.
- Benefits include: 401(k) with Pfizer matching contributions, additional retirement savings contribution, paid vacation/holidays/personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and medical/prescription drug/dental/vision coverage.
- Annual base salary range: $106,000–$176,600.
- Last date to apply: May 1st, 2026.
Chemistry Data Enablement (Data Science / Data Engineering)
- Lead the design, curation, and application of high-quality chemistry and pharmacology datasets used across multiple discovery programs.
- Architect and deploy data pipelines and transformations that enable scalable, reproducible data analytics and modeling.
- Set expectations for data quality and fitness-for-purpose in collaboration with scientific and platform stakeholders.
Applied ML and Cheminformatics
- Independently frame ambiguous medicinal chemistry problems into clear computational strategies and decision-support analyses.
- Drive the application of ML and Cheminformatics models to high-impact drug discovery questions.
- Critically assess model performance and limitations, guiding appropriate interpretation and use in project decisions.
Rapid Prototyping & Front-End Development
- Deliver robust, reusable, and well-documented scientific software aligned with modern best practices.
- Lead rapid prototyping of chemistry and cheminformatics applications to validate workflows and user experience with end users.
- Partner closely with chemists and software teams to evolve successful prototypes into production-ready solutions.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Delivery
- Effectively bridge chemistry, data science, and software perspectives to align stakeholders around robust solutions.
- Influence projects through technical insight, credibility, and data-driven recommendations.
- Contribute to the scientific culture of MLCS through knowledge sharing, internal talks, and cross-team collaboration.
Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry, Cheminformatics, Computer Science, or related fields; or M.S. with substantial relevant industry experience.
- Deep understanding of cheminformatics concepts: molecular representations, similarity methods, QSAR, virtual screening, chemical spaces.
- Experience analyzing large, complex chemistry-related datasets.
- Strong proficiency in Python and cheminformatics toolkits (RDKit or equivalent).
- Experience with standard data science packages (numpy, pandas, etc.).
- Proven experience applying ML models in real-world discovery projects.
- Practical experience with rapid application or UI prototyping in a scientific context.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience in pharmaceutical or biotech drug discovery environments.
- Familiarity with deploying and scaling scientific workflows and applications.
- Experience with database design and processing (SQL, RestAPI).
- Experience in large-scale data handling and developing data pipelines.
- Familiarity developing code collaboratively (GitHub, code review & sharing).
- Familiarity working in HPC (e.g., SLURM) or cloud-based (AWS, GCP) environments.
- Familiarity using agentic coding environments (GitHub Copilot or equivalent).
Additional Information / Benefits (explicitly stated)
- Relocation support available.
- Work location: Hybrid.
- Bonus target: 15% of base salary (Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan) and eligibility for share-based long-term incentive.
- Benefits include: 401(k) with Pfizer matching contributions, additional retirement savings contribution, paid vacation/holidays/personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and medical/prescription drug/dental/vision coverage.
- Annual base salary range: $106,000–$176,600.
- Last date to apply: May 1st, 2026.