Associate Director, Translational Modeling & Simulation

Novartis; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 153,000 - 283,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based incentive

Annual equity awards eligibility

Comprehensive benefits (health, life,

disability)

401(k) with company match

Generous time off

Job summary

Novartis in Cambridge, MA is seeking a translational modeler (Associate Director) to lead model-informed decisions across discovery and early clinical development. Build PK/PD, QSP, PBPK/PD models to connect biology to dose strategies, collaborating with discovery, preclinical, and clinical teams in a hybrid environment.

The role reports to an M&S team lead within PKS M&S. Compensation includes a salary range of $152,600–$283,400 plus incentive opportunities and eligibility for equity

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in biology, bioengineering, pharmaceutical sciences, biophysics, or a related field with 7+ years of industry experience.
• Expert in modeling fundamentals including scripting (MATLAB, R), ODEs, parameter estimation, and data visualization.
• Expert in PK/PD, QSP, and PBPK/PD; familiarity with population PK is preferred.
• Experience integrating computational modeling with biology and disease areas (neuroscience, cardiovascular, metabolism) is valued.

Responsibilities

• Act as the M&S representative on programs; develop and execute modeling strategies to inform dose selection and beyond.
• Build and apply mechanistic PK/PD, QSP, and PBPK/PD models linking pharmacology to tissue distribution and mechanism of action.
• Integrate modeling into design/interpretation of preclinical studies to support candidate selection and progression.
• Develop platform translational modeling strategies and expand modeling workflows across programs.
• Mentor and collaborate across M&S platforms and initiatives within Novartis.

Skills

MATLAB

R

ODE modeling

PK/PD

QSP

PBPK/PD

Population PK

English communication

Education

Ph.D. in biology / bioengineering / pharmaceutical sciences / biophysics

Tools

NONMEM

MATLAB

R

SimBiology

Job description

Band

Level 5

Job Description Summary

#LI-Hybrid
Internal Title: Associate Director
Location: Cambridge, MA

Novartis is a leader in neuroscience and cardiovascular disease areas with a robust and diverse pipeline of innovative therapies. We are seeking a translational modeler eager to accelerate oligonucleotide therapeutics (xRNA”), including antibody-xRNA conjugates, from discovery through clinical translation. In this role, you will partner with multi-disciplinary discovery and preclinical teams to develop and apply model-informed approaches that shape program strategies. As part of a truly translational modeling team, you will also work closely with clinical pharmacology and pharmacometrics groups to support clinical programs, applying quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) and mechanistic PBPK/PD approaches to inform key decisions from early dose optimization through life-cycle management.

This role reports to a Modeling and Simulation (M&S) team lead within the Pharmacokinetic Sciences (PKS) M&S team.

Job Description

Key responsibilities:

• Act as the M&S representative on several programs. Develop and execute modeling strategies, contribute to project team discussions, and guide model-informed decisions from therapeutic design to first-in-human dose selection and beyond.
• Build and apply mechanistic models (PK/PD, QSP, and PBPK/PD) that link drug pharmacology, tissue biodistribution, mechanism(s) of action, and downstream effects.
• Integrate modeling into the design and interpretation of preclinical in vivo and in vitro studies to support candidate selection, optimization, and advancement towards the clinic.
• Collaboratively develop platform disease (QSP) and PBPK/PD models that extend across multiple projects and phases of discovery & development.
• Engage in strategic initiatives within M&S, such as creating platform-level translational modeling strategies tofor new platformsthat impact across projects and developing new and modeling workflows (e.g., agentic AI).
• Proactively seek opportunities to increase the understanding and adoption of translational modeling among internal partners and expand the impact and visibility of modeling through external collaborations.
• A modeler at the Associate Director level will have additional mentorship and strategic responsibilities within M&S and will engage in wider platforms and initiatives across Novartis.

Essential requirements

• Ph.D. in biology, bioengineering, pharmaceutical sciences, biophysics, or a related field and 7+ years of industry experience with progressively increasing levels of responsibility.
• General Modeling Skills: Expert level proficiency in core modeling fundamentals is required, including scripting languages (e.g., MATLAB, R), construction of ordinary differential equation (ODE) models, parameter estimation, and data visualization.
• Industry Modeling Skills: Expert level proficiency in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD), quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP), and/or mechanistic physiologically based PK/PD (PBPK/PD) is required. Proficiency in pharmacometrics concepts (Population PK, exposure-response modeling) is preferred.
• Domain Expertise: Prior experience with the integration of computational modeling and biological concepts is required. Role-specific experience in the highlighted disease areas (neuroscience, cardiovascular, metabolism) and drug modalities (oligonucleotides, ADCs) is preferred but not required.
• Collaboration and Communication: Demonstrated ability to communicate modeling results to a multidisciplinary audience for collaborative work and/or to facilitate strategy and decision-making. Fluent in English (oral and written).

This is a hybrid role that requires a balance of in-person and virtual working, with an average of 12 days a month on site in Cambridge, MA.

The salary for this position is expected to range between: $152,600 and $283,400 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

Salary Range

$152,600.00 - $283,400.00

Skills Desired

Algorithms, Clinical Trials, Data Engineering, Innovation, Mentorship, Simulation Software, Waterfall Model