Associate Dir, Search & Evaluation (Platforms & AI)

Summary

The Associate Dir, Search & Eval (Platforms & AI) is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing external AI-enabled technologies, platforms, datasets, models, and companies that can accelerate innovation across Novartis Biomedical Research and Development. The individual will develop competitive landscapes and strategic insights across key AI use cases, conduct diligence on external opportunities by assessing scientific differentiation, technical capabilities, data quality, and strategic fit, and partner closely with internal stakeholders to shape partnering recommendations.

In addition, they will support governance and leadership decision-making through opportunity assessments and landscape reviews, while also representing Novartis externally across biotech, technology, venture, academic, and industry forums. Additionally, the role will maintain a deep understanding of emerging AI trends, company landscapes, partnership activity, and competitive deal-making to identify differentiated opportunities that advance Novartis R&D priorities.

This role is based in our Cambridge, MA office 3x/week. Please only apply if this works for you.

About the Role

Key responsibilities:

• Deliver against S&E and C&BD priorities by supporting AI-focused search, landscaping, triage, and evaluation activities across R&D.
• Execute structured landscapes in priority AI areas.
• Conduct initial assessment and triage of inbound and proactively sourced AI opportunities, including review of technical differentiation, data assets, validation evidence, model performance, IP position, implementation requirements, and strategic fit.
• Partner with internal scientific, clinical, data science, digital, legal/IP, procurement, finance, and BD&L colleagues to develop balanced opportunity assessments and identify key diligence questions.
• Prepare high-quality materials for internal review and governance, including opportunity summaries, competitive landscapes, diligence updates, and recommendation slides.
• Support external engagement with AI-focused companies, VCs, academic groups, and technology partners to build Novartis visibility and improve access to differentiated opportunities.
• Track external deal-making, financing, technology shifts, and competitive moves in AI-enabled drug discovery and development.
• Maintain organized documentation of AI landscapes, company interactions, triage rationale, and follow-up actions to support portfolio transparency and decision quality.

Essential requirements:

• High-quality and timely evaluation of AI-enabled R&D opportunities.
• Robust landscape analyses that inform S&E priorities and governance decisions.
• Effective cross-functional alignment with all relevant stakeholders.
• Clear, decision-ready documentation of opportunity assessments, diligence findings, and strategic recommendations.
• Strong contribution to external ecosystem coverage across AI biotech, technology companies, academia, and venture investors.
• Development and maintenance of an up-to-date AI opportunity knowledge base and company tracking approach.

Desirable requirements:

• Advanced degree in life sciences, computational biology, chemistry, engineering, medicine, data science, or a related field strongly preferred
• 5+ years of experience in biopharma R&D, AI-enabled life sciences, business development, strategy, consulting, venture, data science, computational drug discovery.
• Strong understanding of drug discovery and development, with ability to evaluate how AI/ML, generative models, foundation models, knowledge graphs, lab automation, and data platforms can create R&D value.
• Strong understanding of AI-enabled target discovery, chemistry, biologics, translational science, clinical development, or digital/agentic tools.
• Experience assessing external technologies, companies, scientific platforms, or BD opportunities.
• Ability to synthesize technical, scientific, strategic, and business considerations into clear recommendations.
• Professional proficiency in Mandarin Chinese is preferred.

Benefits & Rewards

The salary for this position is expected to range between $160,300 and $297,700 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors. Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards. US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.

Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together?

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Benefits and Rewards: Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally:

Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together?

Benefits and Rewards: Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally.
Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)

EEO Statement:

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Accessibility & Reasonable Accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call Show phone number and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.