Associate Director, High-Throughput Biology and Automation

Novartis AG; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 146,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis AG seeks an Associate Director for High-Throughput Biology and Automation in Cambridge, MA. You will define strategy across HT biology, automation, and data, align capabilities with oncology portfolio, and lead a multidisciplinary team to deliver scalable, decision-enabling science for next-generation oncology medicines.

You will shape profiling platforms, drive automation, and ensure high-quality, FAIR data to inform portfolio decisions while collaborating with internal and external

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s degree in a relevant scientific/technical field.
• 10+ years of biotech/biopharma/pharmaceutical research experience.
• Track record in defining HT biology, automation and platform strategy.
• Deep expertise in profiling, assay development, miniaturization and data generation.
• Experience with biochemical, cellular, phenotypic, functional, mechanistic, imaging and sequencing readouts.
• Strong experience in designing and scaling automation and workflows.
• Strong data expertise across experimental design, QC, metadata and informatics partnerships.
• Demonstrated leadership across cross-functional and external partner environments.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute oncology HT biology, biochemistry and automation strategy.
• Lead a team delivering HT profiling workflows for oncology data.
• Shape and scale profiling platforms for diverse readouts.
• Lead automation strategy across liquid handling, robotics and culture workflows.
• Define future capability needs to guide platform evolution and investments.
• Define and implement data strategies for high-quality, well-annotated datasets.
• Lead cross-functional alignment with stakeholders to integrate HTB capabilities.
• Develop and empower a multidisciplinary team of engineers, cell biologists and automation scientists.

Skills

High-throughput biology

Automation

Data science

Team leadership

Oncology drug discovery

Portfolio strategy

Biochemistry

Cell biology

Education

PhD in a relevant field

Master’s degree with substantial industry experience

Tools

Laboratory automation

Profiling platforms

Automation workflows

Sequencing readouts

Job description

Job Description Summary

Role Type: Onsite Working #LI-Onsite
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
Relocation Support: This role is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support: please only apply if accessible.

What if you could define the high-throughput biology and automation strategy that accelerates the next generation of oncology medicines? As Associate Director, High-Throughput Biology and Automation, you will lead a critical Oncology function at the intersection of biology, biochemistry, automation, and data science. You will set the strategic roadmap, align capabilities and portfolio priorities, translate complex portfolio questions into scalable experimental and data-enabled solutions, and proactively shape future platform and infrastructure needs. Leading a talented multidisciplinary team, you will deliver robust, decision-enabling science that advances the next generation of Oncology medicines.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute Oncology’s high-throughput biology, biochemistry, and automation strategy, translating portfolio questions into fit-for-purpose experimental, automation, and data solutions.
• Lead a team accountable for designing, executing, and delivering high-throughput profiling workflows that generate robust, decision-enabling data for the Oncology portfolio.
• Shape and scale profiling platforms spanning biochemical, cellular, phenotypic, mechanistic, imaging, and multimodal readouts to meet evolving Oncology portfolio needs.
• Lead automation strategy across liquid handling, robotics, automated cell culture and banking, workflow miniaturization, platform integration, and device lifecycle planning.
• Proactively define future capability needs across assays, technologies, and infrastructure to guide platform evolution and strategic investment decisions.
• Define and implement data strategies that ensure high-throughput biology datasets are high-quality, well-annotated, FAIR, integrated, and actionable for portfolio decision-making.
• Lead cross-functional alignment with internal and external stakeholders to ensure HTB capabilities are integrated with Oncology portfolio strategy.
• Lead, develop, and empower a high-performing multidisciplinary team of engineers, cell biologists, and automation scientists, fostering scientific excellence, accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Essential Requirements

• PhD in a relevant scientific or technical field, or master’s degree with substantial relevant industry experience.
• At least 10 years of experience in biotech, biopharma, pharmaceutical research, or a related scientific environment.
• Track record defining high-throughput biology, automation, and platform strategy.
• Deep expertise in profiling, assay development, miniaturization, optimization, validation, and decision-enabling data generation.
• Experience with biochemical, cellular, phenotypic, functional, mechanistic, imaging, and sequencing-based readouts.
• Strong experience designing, implementing, and scaling laboratory automation and automated workflows.
• Strong data expertise across experimental design, QC, analysis, data standards, metadata, laboratory data systems, and informatics partnerships.
• Demonstrated people leadership, Oncology drug discovery expertise, and success working across cross-functional and external partner environments.

Desirable Requirement

• Experience with in vivo-supporting workflows, single-cell technologies, multimodal omics, or cloud-based data platforms.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to lead a high-impact High-Throughput Biology and Automation function supporting Oncology discovery.
• Access to cutting-edge technologies and collaboration with scientific, automation, data, and translational experts.
• The opportunity to shape platform strategy, data workflows, automation capabilities, and the development of a scientific team.
• An environment focused on scientific innovation, inclusion, operational excellence, and professional growth.

The salary for this position is expected to range between $145,600 and $270,400 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 benefits. In 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, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We strive to create an inclusive workplace that cultivates bold innovation through collaboration and empowers our people to unleash their full potential.

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 in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] call [phone] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition

number in your message.

https://www.novartis.com/careers/careers-research/notice-all-applicants-us-job-openings

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 [e-mail] or call [phone] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Salary Range
$145,600.00 - $270,400.00

Skills Desired
Analytical Thinking, Analytical Thinking, Business Influence, Chemical Biology, Chemistry, Clinical Research, Clinical Trials, Collaboration, Communication, Curious Mindset, Data Analysis, Data Management, Decision Making, Design of Experiments (DOE), Detail-Oriented, Drug Development, Drug Discovery Process, Ethics, Gene Therapy, Laboratory Research, Leading Project Teams, Life Science, Machine Learning (ML), Medical Research, Mentorship {+ 10 more}