Director, PK Sciences Clinical Pharmacology Artificial Intelligence (AI) Lead

Novartis Group Companies; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 186,000 - 345,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis Group of Companies in Cambridge, MA seeks a PK Sciences leader to define and lead AI-enabled strategies for clinical pharmacology, transforming how data supports decision-making across development.

You will collaborate with ADME, M&S, and clinical teams to deliver AI-driven PK/PD insights, drive automation, and support regulatory submissions while guiding translational medicine strategies.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. / Pharm.D. with relevant clinical pharmacology experience.
• 8–10 years in drug discovery/development; 6+ years in lead ADME/DMPK or AI strategy.
• Extensive PK knowledge including PK/PD, drug metabolism, and regulatory awareness.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and oversee implementation of AI strategy for clinical pharmacology within PKS.
• Advise on AI-enabled strategies to transform PKS deliverables across development, from preclinical to regulatory submissions.
• Collaborate with PK Sciences, Drug Disposition, and Modeling & Simulation teams to integrate PKS insights into project plans.
• Identify high-value AI use cases to improve planning, analyses, and decision quality in pharmacology.
• Partner with clinicians and development colleagues to align PKS insights with study design and interpretation.

Skills

Clinical Pharmacology

Pharmacokinetics

AI Strategy

Drug Development

Translational Medicine

Cross-functional Collaboration

Communication Skills

Regulatory Science

Education

Ph.D./Pharm.D.

Job description

Job Description Summary

#LI-Hybrid

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

This position is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and will not have the ability to be located remotely.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated PK Sciences representative to lead the development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) enabled strategies to transform the clinical pharmacology support of transformative new medicines. The successful candidate will offer insight into the development of AI-based applications to support strategic, scientific and operational leadership. They would focus on developing AI-based solutions to enhance the automation, innovation and acceleration of PKS/clinical pharmacology deliverables across the organization. Our unique organizational structure enables colleagues to work seamlessly in the translational and/or clinical space, offering opportunities for development and bench-to-bedside-to-bench translation.

Experience in late discovery into clinical development is preferred. The scope of the role potentially includes small molecules, biologics/therapeutic proteins, antibody drug-conjugates, radioligand therapies and/or cell therapies across major therapeutic areas in Novartis, including oncology, immunology, cardiovascular renal metabolism, neuroscience, and global health.

This position drives close interdisciplinary collaboration among the PK Science disciplines, Drug Disposition (ADME, BA), Modeling & Simulation (M&S), and Operations through PK science sub-teams to achieve a holistic and integrative perspective of the ADME/clinical pharmacology properties of candidates and drugs. Collaborates effectively with broader, cross disciplinary project teams to ensure PKS strategies are well integrated into project plans and scientific discussions.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and oversee implementation of AI strategy for clinical pharmacology within PKS.
• Brings strong AI and digital fluency, using enterprise tools to further strategic, scientific and operational leadership in clinical pharmacology
• Identifies, develops and implements high-value use cases where AI can materially improve clinical pharmacology planning, analyses and decision quality.
• Represent the PK Sciences function in project teams, interactions with stakeholders within the organization and interactions with regulatory agencies, as appropriate
• Proactively contributes to developing drug candidates across Research Development and Commercial continuum, providing expert pharmacokinetic / drug metabolism and clinical pharmacology input
• Work with teams to use AI to accelerate and enhance the understanding of nonclinical and clinical PK/PD relationships and development dosing strategies and predictions
• Champion the use of AI to accelerate and enhance the provision of , dosage, and PK/PD components of study protocols, reports, project summaries and development plans, and author pharmacokinetic/clinical pharmacology/biopharmaceutics sections of IND/IMPDs and NDA/BLAs as well as prepare appropriate responses to Health Authority questions
• Drives close interdisciplinary collaboration among the PK Science disciplines, Drug Disposition (ADME, BA), Modeling & Simulation (M&S), through PK science sub-teams.
• Works in close collaboration with clinicians and clinical development colleagues to integrate PKS insights into study design, data interpretation, and project decisionmaking

• Models the use of Artificial intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning (ML) approaches to enable model guided molecular design, preclinical and clinical data automation, and authoring regulatory documents.

This role reports to a Therapeutic Area Unit head within PK Sciences within Translational Medicine (TM) in Biomedical Research. PKS is a global organization situated within Translational Medicine (TM), the clinical research arm of Biomedical Research within Novartis. PK Sciences plays a pivotal role in bringing innovative medicines to patients, by building on research advances to develop new therapies, bridging drug discovery and clinical application. PK Science is an enterprise-wide organization, working across both Biomedical Research and the Development organizations to advance the scientific knowledge of pharmacokinetics, metabolism and clinical pharmacology.

Essential Requirements

• Ph.D. / Pharm.D. with relevant experience in clinical pharmacology, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics or a related background.
• A minimum of 8-10 years of experience in drug discovery and/or development in a relevant environment (academia, CRO, biotech or Pharma). 6+ years of experience preferably in a lead role overseeing ADME/DMPK project strategy in translational/clinical development, or in AI strategy.
• Extensive and in-depth knowledge of pharmacokinetics including, drug metabolism and PK/PD evaluation, experience in working in project teams (preferably global) as well as sound awareness of recent developments in drug development and regulatory sciences.
• Exposure to working in a cross-functional, matrixed, project-team environment.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Desirable Requirements

• Hands-on project experience with Artificial intelligence (AI) approaches and examples of applying AI to clinical pharmacology topics is a plus

Leadership / Novartis Behaviors in Action

• Delivers results through disciplined execution, continuous improvement, and a strong focus on value and outcomes.
• Demonstrates an enterprise mindset and strong ownership by prioritizing resources and decisions for maximum Novartis and patient impact.
• Role models Novartis leadership behaviors through visible actions, continuous self reflection, and openness to feedback
• Builds trust through transparent communication, clear accountability, and consistent delivery against commitments.

Novartis Compensation Summary

The salary for this position is expected to range between $185,500 and $344,500 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.

U.S.-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, 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

$185,500.00 - $344,500.00

Skills Desired

Accountability, Biopharmaceutics, Chemistry, Clinical Pharmacology, Clinical Research, Clinical Trials, Drug Development, Due Diligence, Electronic Components, Mentorship, Non-Disclosure Agreements, Patient Care, Physics, Translational Medicine, Waterfall Model