Principal Scientist I/II – Musculoskeletal Disease Area (80-100%*)

Research & Development      ·        Basel         ·      Full time

Job ID: 352951BR

Title: Principal Scientist I/II – Musculoskeletal Disease Area (80-100%*)

Job Description

6000+! The number of scientists in the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR). The Musculoskeletal Disease Area (MSD) at the Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research (NIBR) is investing in the discovery of novel and transformative therapies for ​patients affected by neuromuscular, tendon and cartilage diseases. ​

As part of this effort, MSD is seeking an innovative and highly motivated Principal Scientist to develop, shape and advance novel therapies aimed at prevention and regeneration of neuromuscular, cartilage and tendon diseased tissues.

You will be responsible for leading a state-of-the-art laboratory of experienced scientists, employing ground-breaking technologies to explore disease mechanisms and pathways, identify novel targets, mechanistically dissect their function and provide detailed characterization of mechanism of action of novel molecules, to enable progression of the drug discovery pipeline. This will include the use of complex in vitro assays, patient relevant cellular and ex vivo model systems to evaluate innovative therapeutic modalities (small molecules, biologics, gene therapies) with potential for long-term impact on the disease course.

As a member of the NIBR community, you will also contribute to and benefit from a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative global community with extensive know how and resources in data sciences, chemistry, biologics, cell and gene therapy as well as chemical biology.

Your responsibilities will include

• • Contribute to and/or lead early drug discovery projects within multidisciplinary teams up to clinical proof-of-concept studies in patients
  • Define and execute on innovative scientific strategies, test novel disease-relevant hypotheses and develop transformative therapies
  • Identify novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers candidates, establish in vitro tools and assays to progress drug discovery effort, elucidate mode of action of drug candidates, and explore the mechanistic translatability of pre-clinical models.
  • Design and conduct experiments to address key scientific questions for various project, develop disease-relevant cellular systems with phenotypical and functional readouts using cutting-edge technologies to decipher biology of novel targets
  • Closely collaborate with scientists, clinicians, and technology experts across different departments in the global organization
  • Guide, supervise and develop scientific associates
  • Present concepts and projects in a clear, scientifically sound, and data-driven, objective manner in different settings and venues
  • Manage lab resources in a flexible manner to adapt to changing priorities

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:

Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Minimum requirements

What you will bring to the role:

• PhD + a minimum of 3-5 years of relevant research experience in an academic setting and/or in the pharmaceutical/biotech sector, ideally with focus in molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology in musculoskeletal diseases relevant areas
• Experience in target identification, validation and working with primary cells, or establishing cellular assays, or extensive cellular signaling experience, with an emphasis on disease pathways would be helpful
• Experience in biochemistry, in molecular and cellular biology to decipher the biology of novel targets and at establishing physiologic assays using human or iPS-derived patient cells, with functional or phenotypical readouts
• Experience in cutting-edge novel therapeutic approaches (e.g. gene-, RNA/DNA- or cell-therapy, complex biologics modalities, etc)
• Significant scientific accomplishments and successful collaborations documented by publications in high-impact journals
• Aptitude to work and thrive in cross disciplinary teams, coupled to good organization, communication, presentation and analytical skills.
• Proactive and dynamic attitude with a demonstrable inquisitive mindset and a proven ability to formulate, articulate, and critically evaluate data driven scientific hypotheses and build next steps. Outstanding learning agility.

Desirable requirements:

• In-depth knowledge of complex human culture systems interrogated for regeneration potential.
• Experience in translational science, data science and/or biomarkers identification would be a plus.

Why consider Novartis?

769 million. That’s how many lives our products touched in 2020. And while we’re proud of that fact, in this world of digital and technological transformation, we must also ask ourselves this: how can we continue to improve and extend even more people’s lives?

We believe the answers are found when curious, courageous and collaborative people like you are brought together in an inspiring environment. Where you’re given opportunities to explore the power of digital and data. Where you’re empowered to risk failure by taking smart risks, and where you’re surrounded by people who share your determination to tackle the world’s toughest medical challenges.

Imagine what you could do at Novartis!

Some restrictions on flexible working options may apply and will be discussed during interview if applicable.

Join our Novartis Network:

If this role is not suitable to your experience or career goals but you wish to stay connected to learn more about Novartis and our career opportunities, join the Novartis Network here: https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network

Division: NIBR
Business Unit: MUSCULOSKELETAL – NIBR
Country: Switzerland
Work Location: Basel
Company/Legal Entity: Novartis Pharma AG
Functional Area: Research & Development
Job Type: Full Time
Employment Type: Regular
Shift Work: No
Early Talent: No

Please click here to apply.