Postdoctoral Fellow – Bacterial Diversity and Vaccine Coverage
Use Your Power for Purpose
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) represents an urgent public health threat, causing severe morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite antibiotic treatments, recurrence remains common due to disruption of the gut microbiota, highlighting a critical need for effective vaccines for primary prevention. Pfizer is committed to advancing vaccine strategies that address this unmet medical need. In this role, you will apply cutting-edge microbiology, genomics, and computational science to better understand bacterial virulence and Pfizer’s vaccine-induced protection, directly supporting efforts to reduce the global burden of CDI.
What You Will Achieve
As a Postdoctoral Fellow within Pfizer Vaccines, you will lead an interdisciplinary research project focused on understanding the variability of Clostridioides difficile toxins and its impact on virulence and vaccine-induced breadth of neutralization. You will be trained to operate with increasing scientific independence while collaborating across microbiology, immunology, bioinformatics, and data science disciplines. This work is expected to generate high-impact publications and provide a strong foundation for future scientific leadership in academia or industry.
How You Will Achieve It
Analyze a large, contemporary global collection of C. difficile clinical isolates using whole-genome sequencing to define tcdA and tcdB diversity.
Relate toxin genotypic variation to toxin production, potency, and cytotoxicity using functional and phenotypic assays.
Execute toxin neutralization assays to evaluate the breadth of protection conferred by Pfizer’s C. difficile vaccine candidates.
Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team, apply AI/ML-based computational modeling approaches to integrate high-dimensional genotypic and phenotypic datasets.
Work with mentors to interpret complex datasets to identify toxin-centric biomarkers associated with disease severity and virulence.
Present findings through scientific manuscripts, internal reviews, and conference presentations.
Ensure all tasks and responsibilities are carried out according to scientific, ethical and regulatory standards.
Here Is What You Need (Minimum Requirements):
PhD in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, or a related discipline (completed by start date).
Pre-doctoral or post-doctoral research investigating microbial pathogenesis, immunology, or molecular microbiology and demonstrating a broader technical expertise working in a biosafety level two (or higher) laboratory.
Demonstrated experience leading scientific investigations, including analysis and interpretation of complex biological datasets.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with at least:
one accepted first-author publication and external conference oral presentation if pursuing a first postdoctoral post, or
two accepted first-author publications and external conference oral presentations if pursuing a second postdoctoral post.
Demonstrated experience participating in a collaborative, interdisciplinary scientific research effort.
Willingness to make a minimum 2-year commitment.
Less than 2 years post-doctoral experience.
Provide two letters of recommendation.
Bonus Points If You Have (Preferred Requirements):
Experience with whole-genome sequencing analysis, comparative genomics, or phylogenetics.
Hands-on experience with functional cell-based assays, cytotoxicity assays, or toxin neutralization models.
Familiarity with machine learning, multivariate statistics, or integrative data analysis approaches (e.g., R or Python).
Experience working with anaerobic or spore-forming bacteria.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
The position includes basic laboratory and office physical requirements, including standing, sitting, and routine laboratory work, and encompasses research activities as outlined in the posting and may include additional research efforts to support vaccine development beyond the scope described.
NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS
- Schedule: Occasional weekend and holiday work may be required to support experimental needs. Travel to scientific conferences and/or business meetings is expected approximately 5% of the time.
- Relocation: support available
- Work Location Assignment: On Premise
- Last date to apply May 4th, 2026
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
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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.
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