Senior Scientist, Drug Discovery

Job Description Summary

#LI-Onsite
Location: San Diego CA
This position is located on site in San Diego CA and cannot be conducted remotely. Please only apply if this area is accessible.

Be part of a multidisciplinary team accelerating the discovery of transformative medicines. The Oncology Drug Discovery department at Novartis in San Diego is seeking a highly motivated lab-based research scientist to support drug discovery programs and interrogate cancer targets using induced proximity approaches.
In this role you will contribute to a multi-disciplinary team with expertise in cancer biology and chemical biology. You will conduct cell-based and biochemical experiments to interrogate mechanism of action and define pathways of activity and resistance supporting preclinical discovery efforts across oncology programs.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Design optimize and execute experiments to characterize proteinprotein interactions and interrogate therapeutic response

• Apply chemical and genetic perturbation approaches in cells and in vitro to evaluate small molecule on-target and off-target engagement and activities

• Troubleshoot experiments implement new assays and generate and analyze high-quality data to provide insights that inform project decisions

• Collaborate cross-functionally across Novartis research teams and global sites

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of experimental data analysis and conclusions

• Present findings in team and departmental meetings

• Foster a collaborative and friendly research environment

Essential Requirements

• Bachelors degree with 4 years of relevant experience or Masters degree with 2 years of relevant experience in oncology or related research field

• Strong expertise in molecular biology technique (e.g. vector design mutagenesis RT-qPCR) and with mammalian cell culture and cell line engineering (e.g. transfections viral transductions CRISPR-based approaches)

• Experience interrogating proteinprotein interactions (e.g. pull-down assays co-immunoprecipitation western blotting)

• Prior drug development expertise and cross-functional technology collaboration is NOT essential and the role provides an excellent environment to build these and other skills

• Enjoys working in the lab and possesses excellent organizational and record-keeping skills

• Demonstrated curiosity strong work ethic and eagerness to learn

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills are essential for success in this role

Preferred Requirements

• Previous industry experience

• Experience with proteomics sample preparation and validation is a plus

• Experience with chromatin profiling techniques is a plus

Novartis Compensation and Benefit Summary:

The salary for this position is expected to range between $ 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 addition employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation personal days holidays and other leaves.

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

$93800.00 - $174200.00

Skills Desired

Analytical Skill Analytical Skill Analytical Thinking Chemical Biology Chemistry Clinical Research Clinical Trials Collaboration Communication Skills Curious Mindset Data Data Analysis Design Of Experiments Detail-Oriented Diversity & Inclusion Drug Discovery Ethics Gene Therapy Immunology Laboratory Lifesciences Machine Learning (ML) Mammalian Cell Culture Medical Research Molecular Biology 11 more