Principal Scientist, Assay Profiling Lead Identification and Optimization (80-100)

Job Description Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated detail-oriented and experienced biology expert to join our Lead Identification and Optimization (LIDO) team at our research site Basel (CH). Together with a team of LIDO associates you will accelerate drug discovery by producing high quality data on compounds tested in cellular and biochemical profiling assays working closely with your colleagues in global Discovery Sciences (DSc) and drug discovery projects team within Biomedical Research (BR) located in Cambridge San Diego and Basel.

Job Description

Internal Job Title: Principal Scientist I/II

Position Location: onsite Basel CH #LI-Onsite

You are a self-motivated curious creative and agile biologist and leader with strong experience in developing cellular and/or biochemical profiling assays to support the early drug discovery flowchart. You enjoy contributing to lab work and process improvement as well as guiding and developing associates in our LIDO teams. You enjoy working in a collaborative fast-paced environment and want to positively impact drug discovery through advancing early hits into drug discovery development candidates.

Key responsibilities:

• Adapt biochemical and/or cellular profiling assays into robust and standardized assays to support testing of newly synthesized compounds generated by project teams with a focus on fast turnaround times with regards to delivering data.

• Manage LIDO associates.

• Develop document and maintain SOPs for LIDO processes and quality control.

• Proactively identify and implement improvements to enhance lab processes performance and reliability.

• Coordinate and plan execution of LIDO profiling assays with internal stakeholders.

• Present LIDO management activities in cross-functional meetings.

Essential Requirements:

• PhD in Biology Biochemistry or equivalent qualifications with 5 years relevant experience or BSc or MSc in a related field with 10 years relevant experience

• Proven experience in executing profiling assays in a LMW drug discovery organization.

• Strong expertise in either biochemical and/or cellular assay development in a drug discovery setting.

• High attention to detail and commitment to operational excellence.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary global teams.

• Flexibility and responsiveness to shifting priorities.

• Excellent written verbal and interpersonal English communication skills.

*Please note that restrictions on flexible working may apply and will be discussed at interview stage if applicable

Accessibility and Accommodation:

Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If because of a medical condition or disability you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process or in order to receive more detailed information about the essential functions of a position please send an e-mail to and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

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