Research & Development Rotational Program Associate

Pfizer


Date: 8 hours ago
City: San Diego, CA
Salary: $60,200 - $100,400 per year
Contract type: Full time

Research & Development Rotational Program - Associate

*When applying, please be sure to submit the required brief personal statement (see details below) along with your resume including your GPA in order to be considered.**



What You Will Achieve

At Pfizer, we are changing lives. We discover, develop and deliver breakthrough medicines and vaccines to the world. Our colleagues are purpose-driven and united by a passion to transform patients’ lives.

Our scientists, clinicians and Research & Development (R&D) professionals are among the best in the industry with the resources and scale to solve some of the world’s most complex health challenges. So, it’s no wonder that they choose to pursue their life’s passion at Pfizer and deliver on our promise to society.

The goal of the Pfizer R&D Rotational Program is to grow Pfizer’s pipeline of R&D talent with promising science, technology and math (STEM) college graduates. This in-depth skills development and experiential program offers graduates the opportunity to gain experience and insight into drug discovery and development from leading scientists, clinicians, statisticians, epidemiologists and professionals, and to bridge from student to industry professional, or into an advanced-degree program.

The Pfizer R&D Rotational Program is a two-year program. Associates will be immersed into the pharmaceutical business through four 6-month job rotations in diverse R&D disciplines. Each rotation will involve meaningful assignments and projects, mentorship and coaching, and collaborative interactions to develop business acumen and technical expertise and set them on the path to a pharmaceutical career.


What
We Offer:

  • Strong focus on all aspects of drug discovery and development, including early research, mid to late-stage clinical development and operations, regulatory planning, and business support.

  • Challenging projects and assignments.

  • Leadership, teamwork and networking skills.

  • Rotations aligned to an individual’s interests and career aspirations.


What
Types of Experiences You Will Have:

Laboratory and non-laboratory experiences are dependent on background and interest. There is a wide range of opportunities for each 6-month rotation. Examples include:

  • Assay development and analysis to discover new targets and pathways in disease areas.

  • Organic, analytical and medicinal chemistry

  • Single cell and spatial transcriptomics for characterizing gene expression in human and animal disease tissue.

  • Mid-to-late-stage clinical trial design and execution.

  • Artificial intelligence, computational biology, and digital medicine.

  • Clinical development operations including, project planning, regulatory operations, and data analytics, etc.

  • Partnership with project teams working on early drug discovery to late-stage clinical trial work.


What You Need to Apply:

  • Submit a brief personal statement (no more than 500 words)

Describe a time when you faced adversity in your STEM journey, and/or how you’ve supported others from different groups who may have encountered similar challenges.

In your response, you may consider:

  • What made the situation challenging and how you approached it.

  • The impact of your actions on yourself or others.

  • How the experience influenced your growth, perspective, or approach to collaboration in STEM.

This statement must be the applicant’s original work and does not rely on, nor based on any work product that uses any form of Artificial Intelligence. Please note this statement must be attached before finalizing your application, you will not be able to edit you application afterwards.


  • An updated resume with your graduation year and GPA clearly captured.


Qualifications

Must-Have

  • Must have successfully completed Pfizer Futures Internship in 2026

  • Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences (Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biology, Computer Science or Data Science)

  • Strong academic performance (minimum 3.3 GPA)

  • No more than 2 years of continuous work experience after graduation

  • Willingness to make a 2-year commitment to the program

  • Commitment to participate in program activities


Nice-to-Have

  • Willingness to contribute fresh and innovative ideas

  • Technological aptitude; demonstrated experience to quickly learn new skills, adapt and change

  • Seizes accountability, self-starter

  • Team oriented

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills


Work Authorization

Must be immediately authorized to work in the U.S. on a permanent or indefinitely renewable duration without Pfizer’s sponsorship.


Other Job Details:

  • Colleagues will complete a minimum of 2 laboratory rotations that will vary based on skills and expertise.

  • Work Location Assignment: On Premise. On Premise colleagues work in a Pfizer site because it’s needed to connect and innovate with their team face-to-face. Colleagues will be expected to come into the office 5 days a week.

  • Last Date to Apply for Job: July 17, 2026.


  • Relocation available-Early Talent Relo Package

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $60,200.00 to $100,400.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 7.5% 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. This role is posted in multiple locations. If you are applying for the role in an secondary job posting location where pay transparency regulations apply, your Talent Advisor will share the local pay information with you during the first interview.

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 [email protected]. 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.

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