Senior Specialist, Data Science & AI

Job Description SummaryLocation: Cambridge#LI-Hybrid 3 days/week in office138,600.00 - 198,000.00 - 257,400.00 USD AnnualThis role within the Applied AI, Low Molecular Weight (LMW) group of AI4R will contribute to the development, evaluation, and application of AI methods and workflows for LMW drug discovery. Working closely with multidisciplinary project teams, engineers, and other data scientists, the successful candidate will build and benchmark the right AI approaches, algorithms, models and workflows, to maximize impact on key domains areas of biomedical research that will potentially lead to developing better drugs, faster.Job DescriptionPurpose of the roleSenior Expert (Applied AI, LMW Drug Discovery):Work within a global team of AI researchers and SME with core domain expertise in applying AI to low molecular weight drug discovery.Contribute to the conceptualization of AI methods and their applications for hit generation, lead optimization, pre-clinical analysis, including safety and PK/PDDevelop, adapt and evaluate state-of-the-art AI/machine learning models, including foundation models, generative AI, multimodal AI, and agentic systemsEstablish rigorous evaluation and benchmarking frameworks to assess the robustness and scientific validity of models deployed in drug discovery applicationsDefine translatable metrics that connect model performance to downstream scientific decisions, including assay-level or prioritization improvements, and experimental efficiencyHelp integrate of AI approaches into design-make-test-analyze (DMTA) cycles to accelerate LMW drug discoveryFacilitate delivery of AI solutions through collaboration with Engineering and Product Development teamsCommunicate progress and impact to stakeholders and multidisciplinary audiencesCollaboration & partnershipA respectful team-player attitude is an absolute mustRegularly communicate, engage, align with AI4R teams, broader data science community, and senior scientistsCollaborate cross-functionally (medicinal chemists, DMPK, structural biology, and disease-area scientists, engineers and other AI experts) complementing complex projects with AI-based approaches to LMW drug discoveryExcellent interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to translate analytical concepts for diverse audience and stakeholders (English is our primary language)What you’ll bring to the role:A deep curiosity and passion for biomedical sciences driven therapeutic discovery.4+ years of significant experience in innovation, development, deployment and continuous support of Machine Learning data management and modelingStrong hands-on coding proficiency in Python and deep learning frameworksStrong understanding and experience in using version control systems for developing software (e.g. GitHub, git, subversion, bitbucket, etc.)Demonstrated expertise / experience in several of molecular AI/ML areas, such as generative chemistry; structure-based drug design across hit finding, hit to lead, lead optimization, and candidate selection; protein-ligand modelling, co-folding; docking, scoring, and pose assessment with rigorous model validation and tight coupling to experimental follow up; QSAR; multi-objective property optimization (uncertainty estimation, active learning concepts); free energy and affinity predictionDemonstrated expertise / experience with AI driven molecular design applied to the areas above· Experience working in a large Research organization & deep understanding of drug development a plusPassion for understanding emerging technologies with pragmatic insight into where those technologies can be integrated into business solutionsAbility to balance requirements, manage expectations, and drive effective results using a proactive attitude towards identifying and resolving issuesStrong organizational and problem-solving skills, with ability to execute and prioritize well in a complex matrixed environment.Relevant areas of desired expertise:Molecular representation learning for small molecules, graph neural networks, geometric deep learning, property prediction for ADME PK, physiochemical properties, safety, de novo design, chemical space exploration, foundation models for chemistry, uncertainty quantification, active learning, agentic AI, generative chemistry, counterfactuals and explainability, multi-objective optimization.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 and reasonable accommodationsThe 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 View email address on click.appcast.io or call View phone number on click.appcast.io and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.Salary Range$138,600.00 - $257,400.00Skills DesiredArtificial Intelligence (AI), Biostatistics, Change Management, Curious Mindset, Data Governance, Data Literacy, Data Quality, Data Science, Data Visualization, Deep Learning, Graph Algorithms, Learning Agility, Machine Learning (ML), Machine Learning Algorithms, Python (Programming Language), Stakeholder Engagement, Statistical Analysis, Time Series AnalysisSummaryLocation: Cambridge (USA)Type: Full time