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Hours Full-time, Part-time
Location Cambridge, Massachusetts

About this job

Org Marketing Statement

All over the world, Pfizer colleagues are working together to positively impact health for everyone, everywhere. Each position at Pfizer touches and contributes to the success of our business and our world. That's why, as one of the global leaders in the biopharmaceutical industry, Pfizer is committed to seeking out inspired new talent who share our core values and mission of making the world a healthier place.

Role Description

For many common and rare disorders as well as other human traits and biomarkers, we face an unprecedented amount of human genetics evidence demonstrating a significant heritable component and pointing to reproducible loci in the genome as causally involved, and we have reached a turning point at which human genetics is sufficiently advanced to support the drug R&D process in several important ways.

To position Pfizer in this important and rapidly progressing scientific area, we are creating a worldwide R&D Human Genetics & Computational Biomedicine (HGCB) function. HGCB will be responsible for strengthening the impact of human genetics for non-oncology applications across Pfizer R&D supporting Pfizer Neuroscience and Pain, CVMED, Rare Diseases and Immunology/ Inflammation Research units located primarily in Cambridge, MA. HGCB will drive the vision for Pfizer worldwide R&D (WRD) in genetics, computational biomedicine, and functional genetics & genomics. Integration of these capabilities is an important next step in our drive to lead the biomedical industry in Precision Medicine, leveraging quantitative human data to create truly disruptive and game-changing advances. The group will work in close alignment with Pfizer research units as well as existing computational biology and functional genomics teams particularly in BioTherapeutics (BTx) and Pharma Therapeutics (PTx) groups to ensure consistent strategy and effective end-to-end workflows across Pfizer WRD.

The VP, HGCB will establish a leading human genetics and computational biomedicine function to support Pfizer WRD, and contribute a human evidence base to decision making from early selection of target / mechanism to late stage clinical trials. The two main ways in which this role will contribute to drug R&D are through the genetically-derived identification of novel, causal human biology as rational starting points for new drug mechanisms (target identification & validation followed by functional translational genomics), and thorough understanding of genetic determinants and mechanisms of response variability in clinical trials (pharmacogenetics).

More specifically it is envisaged that HGCB will support and drive drug R&D in the following areas

* Target and Biomarker Identification. Genetically-derived identification of novel, causal human biology as rational starting points for new drug targets and mechanistic biomarkers

* Target Validation.Establish a vision for an enterprise-wide process for funtional genetics/genomics capability underpinning functional validation of genetics findings supporting RU project teams leveraging internal resources as well as collabortions. It is expected that the successful candidate will establish a systematic approach to leveraging human cohorts and associated data mining and patient recall by genotype for deep phenotyping.

* Pharmacogenetics. Leverage genetic profiling, clinical data, omics and other data across Pfizer's non-oncology clinical trials, integrating with available large external data sets, to understand genetic determinants and mechanisms of response variability as a means to patient stratification.

* Computational Biomedicine. The successful candidate is expected to establish a comprehensive and proactive computational biomedicine approach across the different areas in which human genetics is applied to fully leverage the explosion in data available externally and internally.

HGCB will initially comprise approximately 20 staff, primarily geneticists, and additional headcount has been allocated to support several computational biomedicine positions. Staff will be located in Cambridge, MA, Groton, CT, Cambridge, UK and Stockholm, Sweden

Responsibilities

* Establish a leading human genetics and computational biomedicine function implementing genetic discovery, target validation and pharmacogenetic capabilities to support Pfizer WRD, contributing a human evidence base to decision making from early selection of target / mechanism to late stage clinical trials.

* Develop and implement genetic strategies to support the WRD portfolio working closely with the BTx and PTx group SVPs and the CSOs for the Neuroscience and Pain, CVMED, Rare Diseases and Immunology/ Inflammation Research to ensure value to RUs and effective deployment in RU projects.

* Engage with leaders of Research Units and Business Units to drive the PharmaTherapeutics genetics strategy, influence the Research Unit Target identification strategies, maintain visibility, and enable the HGCB function to contribute effectively to decision-making in drug R&D

* Ensure excellence in execution of genetics strategies, projects and collaborations including study design, analysis, interpretation and timely delivery / read-out of studies containing a human genetics component.

* Provide credible expertise in the evaluation, design and management of external collaborations and raise the external profile of Pfizer in the area of genetics and genomics. This includes co-chairing and executing Pfizer's Genetics Scientific Advisory Panels with the external chair, currently Dan Rader, UPenn.

* Strong leadership and continuous talent development focus to attract and retain top talent in a highly competitive environment.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE :

PhD or MD in a relevant scientific discipline

TECHNICAL SKILLS REQUIREMENTS:

More than 15 years of experience in human genetics with experience in computational analysis and functional genetics and genomics including a tenure track academic role and/or a significant industry role and considered a national / international expert in the field of genetics.

* Demonstrated track record to innovate in the area of Genetics translating genetic loci into novel disease biology or therapeutic hypotheses. Specific knowledge of next generation sequencing, omics technologies, phenotyping approaches and computational analysis to elucidate functional impact of genetic variants.

* Thorough knowledge of genetics of complex traits and genetic epidemiology, pharmacogenetics, computational biology and functional genetics / genomics as evidenced, for example, through peer-reviewed original articles in high impact factor journals

* A holistic thinker and curious mind that have familiarity with and interest in drug discovery and development processes. Previous experience in pharmaceutical or biotech industry desired but not required.

* Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain networks and influence key internal and external decision makers, both in a matrix environment and with direct reports; and in public-private consortia

* Outstanding leadership and communication skills; ability to build and lead high-performing team

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.