Principal Scientist, Biotherapeutics Bioanalyst Bench Scientist

Job Description Summary

The Biotherapeutics Analytics and Bioanalytics group in Novartis San Diego is seeking a Principal Scientist to join the Biologics Research Center. The primary responsibility of this role is to develop and apply fit-for-purpose analyses of ex vivo samples to enable early-stage project teams to address key scientific questions required for successful project progression. Although the group supports projects deploying a wide variety of biotherapeutic modalities (antibodies and smaller formats, multi-specifics, protein conjugates, recombinant proteins and both cell and gene therapy, the initial focus of this position is the targeted delivery of nucleic acid modalities to various cell types of interest.


The ideal candidate is a hands on bench scientist who can interact with various project teams to define stage-appropriate analyses, work with junior associates to jointly implement the required measurements, and present the results to the project team to enable decisions.

Job Description

Internal Job Title: Principal Scientist I

Position Location : onsite, San Diego,CA #LI-onsite

*This role is based onsite in San Diego, CA. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role. Please only apply if this location is accessible for you.

The Biotherapeutics Analytics and Bioanalytics group in Novartis San Diego is seeking a Principal Scientist to join the Biologics Research Center. The primary responsibility of this role is to develop and apply fit-for-purpose analyses of ex vivo samples to enable early-stage project teams to address key scientific questions required for successful project progression. Although the group supports projects deploying a wide variety of biotherapeutic modalities (antibodies and smaller formats, multi-specifics, protein conjugates, recombinant proteins and both cell and gene therapy, the initial focus of this position is the targeted delivery of nucleic acid modalities to various cell types of interest.

Key responsibilities:

• Interact with early-stage discovery teams to understand goals and current challenges faced by the project

• Propose fit-for-purpose analyses best suited to address question at hand

• Implement effective sample analyses pipelines to process and analyze ex vivo samples from numerous projects

• Assign/oversee the work of more junior associates in addition to their own bench responsibilities

• Collate results and explain implications to the research team

• Explore opportunities in both equipment and digital automation to increase sample throughput

Essential Requirements :

• BS or MS degree in an applicable life sciences field, with 10+ years' experience working in a research laboratory in the biotech/pharma industry, or PhD with 2+ years of related industry experience.

• Demonstrated experience supervising junior level associates (or supervision of outsourced work).

• Demonstrated experience developing and running nucleic acid-based analyses from both in vitro and ex vivo samples (mRNA knockdown assessment, stem loop qPCR based measurements, ddPCR etc.).

• Effective collection, documentation, processing and interpretation of data from multiple experiments followed by independent design of the next experiment.

Desirable Requirements:

• Experience with classical protein and biotherapeutic analytical techniques including ligand binding assay development.

• Working understanding of various modes of chromatography and protein mass spectrometry.

The salary for this position is expected to range between $108,500 and $201,500 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills andexperience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the publishedsalary range based on company and market factors.

Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of therole, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.

US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life anddisability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. Inaddition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days,holidays and other leaves.

To learn more about the culture, rewards and benefits we offer our people click here.

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 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 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

$108,500.00 - $201,500.00

Skills Desired

Analytical Skill, Analytical Skill, Analytical Thinking, Chemical Biology, Chemistry, Clinical Trials, Collaboration, Communication Skills, Curious Mindset, Data, Data Analysis, Design Of Experiments, Detail-Oriented, Drug Development, Drug Discovery, Ethics, Gene Therapy, Immunology, Inventory Management, Laboratory, Lifesciences, Machine Learning (ML), Management, Medical Research, Molecular Biology {+ 10 more}