Senior Expert - Science & Technology (Downstream Process Development)

Job Description Summary

Job Description Summary
Internal Job Title: Senior Expert Science & Technology
Position is on-site in Durham NC
#LI-Onsite

About the Role:
Join us in reimagining Cell and Gene Therapies and advancing scientific breakthroughs for patients with unmet medical needs. We transform the lives of people by developing innovative and life-changing medicines

The Senior Expert Science & Technology (Downstream) is responsible as a technical lead in gene therapy downstream process development for designing and executing downstream process development activities as well as performing downstream process operations at both small scale and large scale to support pipeline research and pre-clinical studies.

Job Description

Your Key Responsibilities:

Your responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Advances complex downstream process development efforts as a technical lead within a cross-functional team across sites
• Independently designs and executes gene therapy downstream process development studies
• Performs experiments at both large-scale and small-scale to support pre-clinical clinical and commercial programs ensuring these experiments are done in a timely fashion with high quality
• Stays current with the latest scientific and engineering developments in the field
• Leverages strong understanding of biologics downstream process to evaluate and introduce new technologies and innovative ideas related to downstream process development
• Analyzes and interprets experimental data from process studies with strong statistical mindset making decisions based on statistically sound conclusions
• Presents study results internally and externally in a cross-functional setting
• Independently authors technical reports for process development activities and laboratory experiments
• Collaborates with cross-functional groups to advance pipeline programs providing support for regulatory filings and author sections in IND filings
• Leads and mentors technical team fostering innovative and collaborative culture
• Communicates effectively with diverse teams to coordinate lab activities and manage resources

Role Requirements

• Bachelors biological sciences pharmaceutical sciences chemical engineering or related technical field with 8 years experience Masters with 6 years of experience or PhD with 4 years of experience
• Comprehensive experience with a variety of biopharmaceutical purification processes such as chromatographic separation depth filtration precipitation & flocculation tangential flow filtration adventitious viral clearance ultracentrifugation and impurity clearance
• Proficient in statistical analysis principles and approaches. Working knowledge and experience with Design of Experiment (DoE)
• Ability to analyze data to make date-driven decisions and further progress development strategies
• Proven team leader with previous experience of effectively leading technical group
• Innovative with a continuous improvement mindset
• Good communication skills with project management experience in cross-functional setting

Desired Requirements:

• Knowledge of viral gene therapy and previous experience with AAV or LVV downstream process development is a plus
• Experience with mechanistic modeling a plus

Novartis Compensation and Benefit Summary: The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $114100-$211900; however while salary ranges are effective from 1/1/25 through 12/31/25 fluctuations in the job market may necessitate adjustments to pay ranges during this period. Further final pay determinations will depend on various factors including but not limited to geographical location experience level knowledge skills and abilities. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements including a sign-on bonus restricted stock units and discretionary awards in addition to a full range of medical financial and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits such as vacation sick time and parental leave) dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired employee will be in an at-will position and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time including for reasons related to individual performance Company or individual department/team performance and market factors.

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 or call 1 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Salary Range

$119700.00 - $222300.00

Skills Desired

Coaching Skills Data Science Environment Experiments Design Health And Safety (Ehs) Laboratory Equipment Manufacturing Process Materials Science Process Simulation Sop (Standard Operating Procedure) Technical Writing Waterfall Model