Head, Machine Learning and Computational Sciences

Pfizer is excited to present a highly visible leadership opportunity to head our Machine Learning and Computational Sciences function. This role is central to our vision of transforming preclinical R&D through the strategic application of machine learning and computational sciences, enabling a future where data-driven insights accelerate the discovery and development of novel medicines. As the leader of this function, you will shape and drive an industry-leading organization fostering a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, and collaboration. Your leadership will empower teams to reduce empirical cycles, unlock new biological insights, and enable the design of new, transformative medicines.
ROLE SUMMARY
The Machine Learning Computational Sciences (MLCS) leader is responsible for the preclinical computational and machine learning strategy supporting preclinical R&D scientific stakeholders including computational biology, small and large molecule design, pharmaceutical sciences and drug safety. The leader is responsible for establishing and maintaining an industry leading organization ensuring that all the requisite scientific and technical resources, talent, work processes, and systems are in place for designing and delivering new computational models and algorithms. The role serves as the single point of accountability for scientific, strategic and operational initiatives pertaining to its projects, and is accountable for establishing and maintaining strong technical and collaborative interactions with groups within Preclinical and Translational Sciences (P&TS), the Digital Organization, and numerous external partners.
MLCS will enable scientists across R&D to discover and develop novel medicines more effectively, e.g. with fewer, more productive cycles of empirical testing, opening up access to novel targets and pathways, enabling efficiency through more in silico work. The leader will report into the head of Medicine Design and lead an organization of ~45 colleagues.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

• The leader is responsible for establishing and maintaining an industry leading organization ensuring that all the requisite scientific and technical resources, talent, work processes, and systems are in place for designing and delivering new computational models and algorithms.
• The role serves as the single point of accountability for scientific, strategic and operational initiatives pertaining to the MLCS organization and its projects, and is accountable for establishing and maintaining strong technical and collaborative interactions with groups within P&TS, the Digital Organization, and numerous external partners
• Responsible for scientific computing software and infrastructure on High Performance Computing (HPC) systems and Amazon Cloud platforms supporting above functions
• Deliver cheminformatics and data engineering expertise and software engineering to support strategic initiatives in Med Design
• Chair ML Stakeholder Group meeting in Medicine Design, comprising disciplines of med chem design and synthesis, structural biology, and computational chemistry. Define strategic portfolio of ML models, tools, and capabilities that align with portfolio project needs, external collaborations, pre-competitive frameworks, and a sustainable suite of software applications for end-users
• Member of the Integrative Biology LT, aligning stakeholder needs in the TAs with MLCS expertise and project portfolio for target selection, omics infrastructure and pipeline development, partnering with Pfizer Digital. Responsible for R&D data and software engineering team for omics data and analysis ecosystem.
• Partner with the Digital organization and subject matter experts throughout P&TS to ensure that the best computational innovations are implemented in such a way to maximize access and adoption, while adopting appropriate technical standards for sustainability and re-use
• Actively survey the external environment for cutting-edge computational methods with applicability towards drug discovery and development
• Member of enterprise AI Council Pillar teams (e.g. Value and Execution, Strategy) and new R&D AI Portfolio Strategy Team

QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD or advanced degree in Computational Chemistry, Computational Biology, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science or Life Sciences with 15+ years' experience in biotechnology/ biopharmaceutical industry.
• This position requires a proactive, pragmatic, flexible person with excellent leadership qualities, strategic thinking, communication & presentation skills, broad expertise in computational research and strong experience with scientific programming, IT systems and platforms. This leader will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders in a professional and enthusiastic manner and must work well on multiple tasks and effectively prioritize to meet personal and team goals in a matrixed team environment.
• Strategic thinking - Ability to clearly cut through complexity to define a clear portfolio based strategy, that key stakeholders can align behind. Work diligently to deliver the strategy and enable portfolio success
• Communication Skills and Enterprise Leadership - Effective and crisp communication in a variety of formal presentation settings: one-on-one, small and large groups, with peers, direct reports and Pfizer senior management. Ability to share both near term operational requirements as well as long term vision for the organization. Drive aligned investment plans with the Digital and Technology Organization.
• Process Management - Good at figuring out work processes necessary to get things done; knows how to organize people and activities; understands how to separate and combine tasks into efficient workflow; knows what to measure and how to measure it; can see opportunities for synergy and integration where others can't; can simplify complex processes; gets more out of fewer resources.
• Organizational Agility - Knowledgeable about how organizations work; knows how to get things done both through formal channels and the informal network; understands the origin and reasoning behind key policies, practices, and procedures; understands the cultures of organizations.
• Change Management - Can effectively cope with change; can shift gears comfortably; can decide and act without having the total picture; isn't upset when things are up in the air; doesn't have to finish things before moving on; can comfortably handle risk and uncertainty.
• Time Management - Uses his/her time effectively and efficiently; values time; concentrates his/her efforts on the more important priorities; gets more done in less time than others; can attend to a broader range of activities.
• Courage - Move work forward with urgency and courage and address difficult conversations in a transparent and effective manner.
• Relevant and substantial technical experience in some or all of the following areas:
  • Computational Chemistry / Cheminformatics
  • Computational Biology / Bioinformatics
  • Molecular/Cell Biology, Biochemistry, and Genetics
  • Macromolecular modeling and biophysics
  • Applied Mathematics, Statistics and/or Machine Learning
  • Scientific Programming and/or Computing
  • Biomedical engineering

Other Job Details:

• Last Date to Apply: July 22, 2025.

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $280,400.00 to $467,400.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer's Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 30.0% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program. 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.
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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.
Research and Development