Principal Scientist/Senior Scientist, Cryo-EM Structural Biology

JRNLClub; Basel; On-site; CHF 94,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Flexible and hybrid working options

Parental leave benefit

Retirement plans

Insurance plans

Job summary

Novartis Basel is seeking a Principal Scientist/Senior Scientist in Cryogenic Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM) Structural Biology within the Protein Sciences group. You will lead Cryo-EM studies, prepare samples, collect and interpret data, and translate molecular insights into actionable science for novel therapeutic candidates.

The role requires a PhD with 5+ years of experience, hands-on cryo-EM expertise, protein expression/purification skills, and excellent English communication in a

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant scientific discipline with at least five years of research experience.
• Deep expertise in Cryo-EM including sample prep, single-particle analysis, structure determination, and model building.
• Hands-on experience operating high-end cryo-electron microscopes.
• Experience expressing and purifying a range of protein targets.
• Excellent written and spoken English with strong scientific communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills and collaboration in multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Contribute experimentally and scientifically to early drug-discovery projects within multidisciplinary teams.
• Prepare biological samples for Cryo-EM, including data collection, processing, structural determination, and model building.
• Apply current Cryo-EM technologies to generate high-quality structural insights for drug discovery.
• Collaborate closely with laboratory staff, providing mentoring and technical training in a matrix environment.
• Maintain accurate experimental records, scientific documentation, and instrument logs to support data quality.
• Communicate structural biology findings through internal and external presentations and publications.

Skills

Cryo-EM

Sample preparation

Single-particle analysis

Structure determination

Model building

Data interpretation

English communication

Collaborative work

Education

PhD in a relevant scientific discipline

Tools

Cryo-EM instruments

Cryo-EM data processing software

High-end cryo-TEM operation

Job description

Salary Range: CHF93,800.00 - CHF174,200.00

Job Description Summary

Role Type: Onsite Working, #LI-Onsite

Location: Basel, Switzerland

Relocation Support: This role is based in Basel, Switzerland. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support: please only apply if accessible.

What if your expertise in structural biology could reveal the molecular insights that unlock the next generation of medicines? As Principal Scientist/Senior Scientist, Cryogenic Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM) Structural Biology, you will join the Protein Sciences group within Discovery Sciences, applying cutting-edge Cryo-EM to challenging targets across early drug discovery. Working with scientists across Biomedical Research, you will prepare biological samples, generate and interpret high-quality structural data, and translate molecular insights into actionable science that supports the discovery of novel therapeutic candidates.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute experimentally and scientifically to early drug-discovery projects within multidisciplinary teams.
• Prepare biological samples for Cryo-EM, including data collection, processing, structural determination, and model building.
• Apply current Cryo-EM technologies and methodologies to generate high-quality structural insights for drug discovery.
• Collaborate closely with laboratory associates, providing mentoring and technical training within a matrix environment.
• Maintain accurate experimental records, scientific documentation, and instrument logs to support data quality and reproducibility.
• Communicate structural biology findings through internal and external presentations and scientific publications.

Essential Requirements:

• PhD in a relevant scientific discipline with at least five years of research experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Deep expertise in Cryo-EM, including sample preparation, single-particle analysis, structure determination, model building, and structural interpretation.
• Hands-on experience operating high-end cryo-transmission electron microscopes.
• Demonstrated experience in the expression and purification of a range of protein targets.
• Excellent written and spoken English, with strong scientific communication and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a collaborative approach to working within multidisciplinary scientific teams.

Desirable Requirements:

• Experience troubleshooting and optimizing experimental and data-processing workflows for single-particle analysis and cryo-electron tomography.
• Familiarity with artificial intelligence-based and computational tools for protein construct design and optimization.
• Experience characterizing protein-ligand interactions.
• Hands-on experience with single-particle analysis, cryo-electron tomography, and dual-beam scanning electron microscopy.

Why Novartis:

At Novartis, you will join a collaborative Protein Sciences team applying complementary technologies, including biophysics, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and Cryo-Electron Microscopy, to advance target-based drug discovery and novel therapeutic candidates.

Benefits & Rewards:

At Novartis, we’re committed to reimagining medicine together - and rewarding the people who make it happen.

Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role: 93,800.00 - 174,200.00 CHF

The base 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.

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 minimum 14 weeks paid parental leave.

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.

Skills Desired

Analytical Chemistry, Analytical Laboratory Equipment, Analytical Thinking, Chemical Analysis, Chemistry, Data Capturing, Data Science, Digital Workflows, Employee Development, Employee Performance Management, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Laboratory Automation, Life Sciences R&D, Machine Learning (ML), Physicochemical Characterization, Python (Programming Language), Scientific Publications, Spectrometry, Spectroscopy, Therapeutic Modalities