Principal Scientist I/II – Hematopoietic Stem Cell & RBC Biology at Novartis in San Diego (California)

Job description

• Location: San Diego
• At Novartis, our mission is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. We are seeking a highly motivated Principal Scientist I/II with expertise in sickle cell disease biology, red blood cell physiology, and/or hematopoietic stem cell biology to join our collaborative In Vivo Biology & Pharmacology team.
• In this role, you will contribute to research programs focused on sickle cell disease while gaining broad exposure to target discovery, pharmacology, translational science, and therapeutic development. Working within a highly collaborative in vivo biology and pharmacology group, you will also have opportunities to support programs across multiple disease areas and therapeutic modalities.
• This position is well suited for scientists who have recently completed a PhD and/or postdoctoral training, or who are early in their industry careers and eager to apply their disease biology expertise in a dynamic drug discovery environment. The role offers significant opportunities for scientific growth, leadership development, and future people-management responsibilities.
• Job Description

Responsibilities

• Apply expertise in sickle cell disease, hematopoietic stem cell biology, and RBC pathophysiology to support Global Health research initiatives.
• Design, execute, and interpret high-quality biological experiments that inform target discovery, validation, and early drug discovery.
• Translate biological insights into actionable hypotheses and therapeutic concepts in collaboration with multidisciplinary project teams.
• Take on increasing scientific leadership responsibilities, including mentoring junior scientists and contributing to team development, with opportunities for future people-management growth.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance culture aligned with Novartis Values & Behaviors.
• Contribute to project discussions, data reviews, and decision making in a matrixed Biomedical Research environment.
• Maintain awareness of external scientific advances and contribute to publications or scientific exchanges as appropriate.
• Ensure all work is conducted to the highest standards of scientific rigor, data integrity, safety, and compliance.

Requirements

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Immunology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Virology, Biophysics, Pharmacology, or a related biological science discipline.
• Deep expertise in sickle cell disease, red blood cell physiology, and/or hematopoietic stem cell biology, with a strong understanding of hemoglobinopathies.
• Strong data interpretation, critical thinking, and scientific communication skills.
• Proven ability to independently design experiments, analyze data, and advance scientific questions, as evidenced by high-quality publications, patents, presentations, and/or drug discovery contributions.
• Demonstrated behaviors aligned with Novartis Values & Behaviors: Inspired, Curious, Unbossed, and Integrity.
• Early-career scientists are encouraged to apply, including recent PhD graduates and postdoctoral fellows seeking to transition into or expand their experience in drug discovery.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary and matrixed environments.
• Experience contributing to therapeutic programs from target identification and validation through lead generation and/or early development.
• Expertise in assay development utilizing in vitro, ex vivo, and/or in vivo systems.
• Prior experience with high-dimensional flow cytometry, including panel design, execution, and data analysis, is preferred.

Skills

Required

• Critical Thinking
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Scientific Communications
• Collaborative
• Inclusive
• High-performance culture
• Assay Development
• Cell and Molecular Biology
• Data Interpretations
• Drug Discovery Research
• Experimental Research Design
• Flow Cytometry

Benefits

• The salary for this position is expected to range between $108,500 to $201,500 USD Annual 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.
• $108,500.00 - $201,500.00