Director, Translational Medicine Expert (Neurodegeneration)

Novartis; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 249,000 - 462,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis AG is seeking a Director to lead Translational Medicine in Cambridge, MA. The role focuses on developing integrated translational strategies across neurodegeneration, guiding programs from preclinical to early clinical development, and ensuring a strong link between target biology, biomarkers, and clinical endpoints.

You will drive biomarker and endpoint strategy, collaborate with cross‑functional teams, and participate in external scientific leadership to advance patient‑centered

Qualifications

• MD, neurology or clinical training in neurodegenerative diseases.
• Experience in translational medicine, early clinical development, or experimental therapeutics.
• Ability to shape development strategies, execute early clinical studies, and influence regulatory packages.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute integrated translational strategies across neurodegeneration programs.
• Lead translational components from preclinical to Phase 1/2 clinical studies.
• Drive program progression through key decision gates (IND, TDP, IDPA).
• Ensure mechanistic linkage between target biology, biomarkers, and clinical endpoints.
• Collaborate with biomarker development toward validation of molecular biomarkers, functional endpoints, PROs.
• Co-lead design and execution of early clinical studies; define dose escalation and exposure‑response frameworks.
• Lead cross‑functional translational medicine representation within global project teams.

Skills

Translational medicine experience

Early clinical development experience

Neurology / neurodegeneration domain

Education

MD, Neurology

PhD/PharmD in Neuroscience

Job description

Summary

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

About the Role

Key Responsibilities:

1. Translational Strategy & Program Leadership

• • Define and execute integrated translational strategies across neurodegeneration programs
  • Lead translational components from preclinical to Phase 1/2 clinical studies
  • Drive program progression through key decision gates (e.g., IND, TDP, IDPA)
  • Ensure strong mechanistic linkage between target biology, biomarkers, and clinical endpoints

2. Biomarker & Endpoint Leadership

• • Collaborate with Biomarker Development colleagues toward development and validation of:
  • Molecular biomarkers (tissue, blood, CSF where applicable)
  • Functional endpoints (strength, mobility, disease‑specific measures)
  • Patient‑reported outcomes (PROs)
  • Establishing quantitative biomarkers to support:
  • Target engagement
  • Disease modification
  • Dose selection and PoC decisions
  • Integrate biomarker strategy into clinical protocols and operational plans
  • Drive early biomarker de‑risking, a key priority in neuromuscular programs

3. Early Clinical Development (Phase 1/2)

• • Co‑lead design and execution of early clinical studies
  • Define:
  • Dose escalation strategy
  • Exposure‑response framework
  • Translational endpoints (biopsy, imaging, functional)
  • Ensure TM leadership within Clinical Trial Teams (CTTs) for:
  • Trial design
  • Execution oversight
  • Data interpretation and decision‑making

4. Cross‑Functional Leadership

• • Serve as core Translational Medicine representative within global project teams
  • Partner closely with:
  • Clinical Development
  • Biomarker Development
  • Clinical Pharmacology (PKS)
  • Preclinical Safety (PCS)
  • Regulatory
  • Drive alignment between research, TM, and development organizations

5. External Scientific Leadership

• • Build and lead collaborations with:
  • Academic KOLs
  • Patient advocacy groups (critical in rare neuromuscular disease)
  • Technology partners (imaging, omics platforms)
  • Contribute to scientific strategy and external positioning of programs

6. Patient‑Centered Development

• • Integrate the patient voice into translational and clinical strategies
  • Advance:
  • Meaningful functional endpoints
  • Patient‑relevant outcome measures
  • Innovative trial approaches (e.g., decentralized models where feasible)

7. Portfolio Contribution & Strategic Input

• • Contribute to:
  • Asset prioritization and portfolio strategy
  • Competitive differentiation strategy (e.g., vs RNA or gene therapy competitors)
  • Provide scientific input to:
  • Business development / due diligence
  • Indication expansion strategies

Essential Requirements

• MD, neurologists, clinical training in neurodegenerative diseases
• Experience in translational medicine, early clinical development, or experimental therapeutics.
• Ability to shape development strategies, execute early clinical studies, and influence regulatory/packages supporting differentiation.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience working in pharmaceutical/biotech company strongly preferred.
• PhD, PharmD, or equivalent in:
  • Neurology / Neuroscience
  • Neurodegenerative diseases

The salary for this position is expected to range between: $248,500--$461,500/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.

To learn more about the culture, rewards and benefits we offer our people click here.

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

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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.

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