Chemical Biologist, Discovery Sciences

Summary

The Novartis Biomedical Research Discovery Science department is seeking a cell biologist to join the Chemical Biology group. This team focuses on early, innovative projects, leveraging scientific agility, curiosity, and the close integration of biology with chemistry. Our success is driven by new molecular insights and the advancement of technologies that enable transformative drug discovery. Our mission is to create pathways for drug discovery programs that deliver differentiated therapeutics to patients.

In this role, you will explore emerging modalities in induced proximity, validate key mechanisms of action, align with therapeutically relevant targets, and help initiate new drug discovery programs. Working closely with scientific peers and cross-functional partners, you will design and execute innovative chemical biology strategies, generate high-quality data, validate targets and concepts, develop cellular assays to quantify proximity-driven biology, and support the characterization and optimization of candidates for advancement into the drug discovery portfolio.

Success in this role requires strong hands-on expertise in molecular and cellular biology, combined with using chemical tools to interrogate biological systems. You will leverage creative experimental design to elucidate mechanism of action and dissect the molecular basis of novel induced proximity modalities, integrating bioinformatics with genome- and proteome-wide technologies to address key biological questions.

About the Role

Internal job title: Senior Scientist II

Position Location: Cambridge, MA, onsite

Key responsibilities:

• Design, optimize, and execute assays to quantify proximity-driven biology (e.g., degradation, stabilization, signaling rewiring, or protein–protein interactions)
• Apply chemical and genetic perturbation approaches in cells to evaluate small molecule on-target and off-target activities
• Design of phenotypic and target-based chemical and genetic screens to identify novel starting points for drug discovery
• Elucidate mechanism-of-action (MoA) of induced proximity modalities using biochemical, cellular, and omics-based approaches
• Integrate data across biochemical, cellular, proteomic, and transcriptomic workflows to build mechanistic understanding and guide decision-making
• Translate experimental results into clear recommendations to inform program prioritization and go/no-go decisions
• Stay current with advances in induced proximity and chemical biology to inform experimental strategy and identify new opportunities
• Collaborate cross-functionally across Novartis research teams and global sites
• Innovative and cross-disciplinary chemical biology approaches to problem solving
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of experimental data, analysis, and conclusions

Essential Requirements:

• Recent Ph.D. (within last 2 years) in chemical biology, systems biology, cell/molecular biology, biochemistry or a related field
• Hands-on experience with molecular and cellular biology techniques (e.g., gene perturbation, protein analysis, cell-based assays)
• Ability to analyze and interpret complex biological datasets
• Ability to work in an exploratory, fast-evolving research environment with shifting priorities
• Demonstrated curiosity and ability to apply creative problem-solving approaches to adapt and overcome scientific challenges
• Excellent communication and presentation skills across a broad range of topics and adapted to variety of audiences
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively in team environments

Highly Desirable Requirements:

• Experience with, or exposure to, chemical biology, induced proximity (including targeted protein degradation), compound profiling, and/or drug discovery

The salary for this position is expected to range between $98,700 and $183,300 USD Annually. 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.

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

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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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

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