Principal Scientist II (Lab Head), Allergy and Plasma Cell Research

C028 (FCRS = CH028) Novartis Pharma AG; Basel; On-site; CHF 94,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working options

14 weeks paid parental leave

Job summary

Novartis Pharma AG in Basel seeks a Principal Scientist II (Lab Head) to lead the allergy and plasma‑cell biology lab within the Adaptive Immunity workgroup. You will translate mechanistic immunology into therapeutic concepts, guiding programs from hypothesis to preclinical development while mentoring scientists and coordinating across disciplines.

The role requires a PhD/MD‑PhD with deep expertise in allergy, B‑cell/plasma cell biology and translational immunology; onsite work with relocation

Qualifications

• PhD or MD/PhD in Immunology, Allergy, B-cell/Plasma Cell Biology or related field with a strong track record.
• Pharmaceutical/biotech industry experience and translational research exposure is expected.
• Deep expertise in allergic diseases and IgE biology, including food allergy and mast-cell/basophil biology.

Responsibilities

• Lead a research team in allergy and plasma-cell biology, advancing therapeutic opportunities.
• Provide scientific leadership to allergy programs including mechanistic studies and translational readouts.
• Shape and advance the food allergy research strategy with human biology integration.
• Design and oversee mechanistic and translational studies to generate decision data.

Skills

Immunology

Allergy

B-cell biology

Plasma cell biology

Translational research

Drug discovery

Team leadership

Education

PhD or MD/PhD in Immunology/related field

Tools

High-dimensional flow cytometry

Single-cell profiling

Machine learning

Job description

Salary Range: CHF93,800.00 - CHF174,200.00 Band Level 4 Job Description Summary Location: Basel, Onsite Relocation is offered for this role.

Principal Scientist II (Lab Head) in Allergy and Plasma Cell Research

We are developing the next generation of medicines for allergic and autoantibody-mediated diseases with the ambition to transform the lives of patients. This is an opportunity for you to bring your scientific expertise and leadership into a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary environment and help translate emerging human immunology into innovative therapeutic approaches. The preclinical research laboratory you will lead is integrated within the Adaptive Immunity workgroup of the Novartis Immunology Research Disease Area and you will contribute to advancing our food allergy strategy, existing programs in this space, and novel approaches targeting pathogenic cells and mechanisms driving allergic responses. To lead this lab, we are looking for an experienced scientist with deep expertise in allergy, B-cell ,plasma-cell biology and type 2 immunity and a strong track record in pharmaceutical drug discovery. If you are passionate about translating mechanistic immunology into therapeutic concepts and guiding programs from biological hypothesis towards clinical development, we want you on our team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a research team in allergy, plasma-cell biology and type 2 immunity, identifying and advancing novel therapeutic opportunities based on human disease mechanisms.
• Provide scientific leadership and experimental support to existing allergy programs, including mechanistic studies, mode-of-action understanding, translational hypotheses and key program decisions.
• Contribute, shape and advance the food allergy research strategy, integrating human biology, experimental data and emerging therapeutic concepts.
• Develop and evaluate approaches to target plasma cells and their precursors, leveraging B-cell differentiation, plasma-cell biology and mechanisms regulating pathogenic antibody responses in the context of allergy and of antibody-mediated autoimmunity.
• Design and oversee mechanistic and translational studies that generate decision‑making data and differentiate therapeutic concepts.
• Guide drug‑discovery program decisions, critically evaluating biological evidence, translational opportunities and scientific risks.
• Lead, mentor and develop scientists and foster a culture of scientific excellence, collaboration, innovation and integrity.

Essential Requirements

• PhD or MD/PhD in Immunology, Allergy, B-cell/Plasma Cell Biology or a related field, with a strong track record of scientific accomplishment and peer-reviewed publications.
• Substantial pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry experience and a demonstrated track record of advancing drug‑discovery or translational research programs.
• Deep expertise in allergic diseases and IgE biology, ideally including food allergy, allergen‑specific immune responses and mast‑cell/basophil biology.
• Strong expertise in B-cell differentiation and plasma‑cell biology, including mechanisms controlling antibody production and persistence.
• Demonstrated ability to translate mechanistic biology into therapeutic concepts, target‑validation strategies, translational readouts and program decisions.
• Experience using human translational systems and biosamples to establish disease‑relevant mechanisms and pharmacodynamic or biomarker strategies.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills and the ability to provide clear scientific recommendations in complex drug‑discovery programs.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience with therapeutic antibodies, multispecific molecules or other modalities targeting B cells, plasma cells or pathogenic antibodies.
• Bring strong AI and digital fluency, using enterprise tools to enhance insight generation, decision‑making, and team productivity.
• Familiarity with advanced approaches such as high‑dimensional flow cytometry, single‑cell profiling, B‑cell receptor repertoire analysis or multiomics.

Rewards

At Novartis, we’re committed to reimagining medicine together – and rewarding the people who make it happen. The rewards of being part of our team go far beyond base pay and incentives. We also offer a variety of competitive benefits in kind to help you thrive personally and professionally, such as insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources and global recognition programs. In addition, we provide flexible and hybrid working options, where possible, and a minimum of 14 weeks paid parental leave.

Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role: Switzerland: 93,800.00 - 174,200.00 CHF Annual The salary offered is determined based on gender‑neutral objectives, such as relevant skills, competencies and experience in accordance with the Novartis pay setting policy and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance‑based bonus depending on certain performance parameters. Further details will be provided during the application process.

Pay equity is a fundamental principle of our employment policy and reflects our commitment to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment that treats all employees with dignity and respect, as outlined in our Code of Ethics. Read our brochure to learn more about our global total rewards offering: https://www.novartis.com/sites/novartis_com/files/novartis‑life‑handbook.pdf

Note: Benefits and compensation may vary by country and are subject to local legal requirements, including provisions of collective bargaining agreements where applicable. A full overview of your compensation package, including any relevant collective bargaining agreement details applicable to your role based on your employment location and Novartis employer entity, will be communicated separately to you during the application process.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion / EEO paragraph: Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams’ representative of the patients and communities we serve.

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 bright future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Benefits and Rewards: Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards

Skills Desired

• Analytical Thinking
• Analytical Thinking
• Chemical Biology
• Chemistry
• Clinical Trials
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Curious Mindset
• Data Analysis
• Data Management
• Design of Experiments (DOE)
• Detail‑Oriented
• Drug Development
• Drug Discovery Process
• Ethics
• Gene Therapy
• Immunology
• Inventory Management
• Laboratory Research
• Leading Project Teams
• Life Science
• Machine Learning (ML)
• Management Techniques
• Medical Research
• Molecular Biology
• {+ 9 more}

Improving the lives of people living with disease takes more than innovative science. It takes a focus on the needs of people and a community committed to meeting them. It takes a team of people like you. Working together. Learning together. Thriving together. Discover how you can join us in changing people’s lives.

In the context of China Cross‑Border Data Transfer (CBDT) policy, if you need to apply for a position in China, please go to the local Recruiting System TaleNov .