Pharmacia & Upjohn Company Posted September 18, 2026

Senior Scientist, ADC In Vivo Pharmacology

San Diego, United States Full time
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About this opportunity

Position Summary

Pfizer is seeking an accomplished Senior Scientist to join the In Vivo Pharmacology group within the Oncology Research Unit and lead in vivo pharmacology strategy for ADC discovery programs. This role generates decision-enabling efficacy, tolerability, pharmacodynamic, and translational data to advance ADC assets from early discovery through preclinical development. The ideal candidate will apply strong scientific judgment and broad oncology in vivo pharmacology expertise to integrate target biology, ADC modality considerations, biomarker strategy, and study execution into clear recommendations for project teams.

Position Responsibilities

Design, oversee, and interpret in vivo ADC pharmacology studies, including efficacy, dose and schedule optimization, tolerability, pharmacodynamic biomarker, mechanism-of-action, and combination studies.

Serve as the in vivo pharmacology lead for ADC project teams by translating program questions into robust experimental plans and decision-enabling study packages.

Incorporate tumor model selection, antigen expression, payload biology, linker-payload properties, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic hypotheses, and translational endpoints into study design.

Partner with chemistry, biologics, translational medicine, pathology, bioanalytical, toxicology, and project leadership teams to define in vivo strategies and asset progression criteria.

Provide scientific oversight for internal and external studies, including protocol development, CRO management, data review, issue resolution, quality control, and final interpretation.

Analyze and communicate in vivo data through study reports, project team updates, and governance materials.

Mentor junior scientists and technical staff in oncology model execution, ADC pharmacology principles, experimental design, and data interpretation.

Identify opportunities to improve in vivo workflows, model characterization, translational relevance, and operational efficiency across oncology programs.

Minimum Qualifications / Key Skills

Advanced degree in pharmacology, cancer biology, immunology, biological sciences, or a related field, or a Bachelor’s/Master’s degree with substantial relevant industry experience.

Demonstrated experience designing and leading in vivo oncology pharmacology studies in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, or CRO settings.

Strong understanding of ADC biology and pharmacology, including target antigen biology, payload class, therapeutic index, efficacy/tolerability relationships, and translational biomarker strategy.

Proven ability to build study strategies that test clear project hypotheses and support data-driven decisions.

Experience interpreting tumor efficacy, tolerability, pharmacodynamic, biomarker, and dose-response datasets.

Ability to manage multiple program priorities, coordinate internal and external resources, and deliver high-quality data on project timelines.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex scientific data clearly to multidisciplinary teams.

Uses independent scientific judgment to shape program strategy and influence project direction through high-quality experimental design and interpretation.

Demonstrates project team leadership and supports junior colleagues through coaching and technical guidance.

Preferred Qualifications

Direct experience supporting ADC programs from early discovery through candidate selection or IND-enabling stages.

Experience with patient-derived or cell line-derived xenograft models, orthotopic models, disseminated disease models, or mechanistically relevant pharmacodynamic endpoints.

Familiarity with bioanalytical, pathology, immunohistochemistry, molecular profiling, or omics approaches used to characterize ADC mechanism and response.

Experience managing CRO studies, including external study plans, budgets, timelines, and data review workflows.

Track record contributing to regulatory-enabling packages, governance presentations, publications, or internal scientific strategy documents.

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

Must be willing and able to work after hours as needed to ensure study integrity.

Relocation support available

Work Location Assignment: On Premise

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $88,500.00 to $147,500.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 10.0% of the base salary. 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.

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   disabilityrecruitment@pfizer.com . 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

Job details

Seniority
Senior
Function
Drug Discovery & Preclinical Research
Therapeutic area
Not listed
Location
San Diego, United States
Employment type
Full time

How this role compares

Computed from every other active Drug Discovery & Preclinical Research role in our database, not just this employer's listings.

We currently track 206 comparable Senior Drug Discovery & Preclinical Research roles across 38 biopharma companies.

206Comparable roles tracked
198Currently active
38Companies hiring similar roles
12Countries represented

Salary context

84 of 206 peers report a salary range (USD, annualized)

Peers share this role's job function and a matching or adjacent seniority level -- not necessarily the same therapeutic area or country.

This roleSubject $88,500/yr – $147,500/yr
Highest disclosed · Senior Principal Scientist, Pharmacokinetics · Merck $194,100/yr – $305,600/yr
Peer group range $91,450 – $249,850 (median $184,350)

Where these roles are based

Top locations among the 206 comparable roles

United States164
India9
United Kingdom5
Belgium5
Spain4
China's Mainland4

+ 6 more countries

Seniority mix

206 of 206 peers have a known seniority level

Senior103
Principal80
Associate Director23

Therapeutic area mix

21 of 206 peers have a known therapeutic area; the rest are genuinely unlabeled, not hidden

Oncology6
Immunology4
Cardiovascular / CVRM4
Neuroscience3
Respiratory2
Gastroenterology1
Vaccines & Infectious Disease1

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How we calculate "similar"

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Every comparison starts from the same 100-point budget: 25 for working in the same function, 40 for the same therapeutic area, 20 for the same or adjacent seniority, 15 for the same country. A dimension we can't confirm on both sides contributes nothing, never a guess, never a free pass.

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