Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow, Translational Models

Novartis; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 77,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Novartis as a Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow within a collaborative research environment aimed at developing innovative renal treatments. This program offers unique opportunities for scientific growth, with a focus on building complex cellular models and conducting interdisciplinary research to achieve therapeutic breakthroughs.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package including health, life, and disability benefits.

401(k) with company contribution and match.

Generous time off including vacation and personal days.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Bioengineering / Cell Biology or related field is required.
• Hands-on experience with organ-on-chip models, microfluidic devices.
• Strong publication record or other scientific achievements.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in vitro / ex vivo experiments to validate assays.
• Develop cross-organ cellular/tissue models for drug discovery.
• Collaborate with teams on target discovery and drug development projects.

Skills

Hands-on experience in developing complex cell models

Demonstrated proficiency in pharmacology / molecular biology / protein biochemistry

Excellent analytical skills

Strong communication skills

Strong organizational skills

Education

Ph.D. degree in Bioengineering / Cell Biology

Job description

Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow, Translational Models

Join to apply for the Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow, Translational Models role at Novartis

Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow, Translational Models

Join to apply for the Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow, Translational Models role at Novartis

Summary

As part of the Discovery Fellowship track of the Novartis Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, you will join our vibrant, dedicated postdoctoral community for events, including the monthly postdoc seminars and other scheduled events for postdocs. Fellows are surrounded by a supportive, collaborative community of postdocs and scientists, who would contribute to the acceleration of your scientific growth, along with building your professional skillset, e.g. you will have the opportunity to do a Postdoc Practicum in another laboratory or in a business function of Novartis. This applied research program is up to 3 years in length, with the option of applying for an extension of up to 1 year (pending review by the Head of Biomedical Education & Innovation and the postdoc supervisor).

Summary

As part of the Discovery Fellowship track of the Novartis Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, you will join our vibrant, dedicated postdoctoral community for events, including the monthly postdoc seminars and other scheduled events for postdocs. Fellows are surrounded by a supportive, collaborative community of postdocs and scientists, who would contribute to the acceleration of your scientific growth, along with building your professional skillset, e.g. you will have the opportunity to do a Postdoc Practicum in another laboratory or in a business function of Novartis. This applied research program is up to 3 years in length, with the option of applying for an extension of up to 1 year (pending review by the Head of Biomedical Education & Innovation and the postdoc supervisor).

About The Role

Internal Job Title: Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow

Position Location: Onsite, Cambridge, MA

About The Role

We are thrilled to open applications for our Discovery Fellowship track of the Novartis Postdoctoral Fellowship Program.

Come join Novartis Biomedical Research as a Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow and support the discovery and development of innovative renal treatments by developing in vitro / ex vivo translational models.

You will be part of our Translational Research & Data Sciences Unit within the Disease Area – exploratory (DAx) department in Cambridge, MA

As part of the Discovery Fellowship track of the Novartis Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, you will join our vibrant, dedicated postdoctoral community for events, including the monthly postdoc seminars and other scheduled events for postdocs. Fellows are surrounded by a supportive, collaborative community of postdocs and scientists, who would contribute to the acceleration of your scientific growth, along with building your professional skillset, e.g. you will have the opportunity to do a Postdoc Practicum in another laboratory or in a business function of Novartis. This applied research program is up to 3 years in length, with the option of applying for an extension of up to 1 year (pending review by the Head of Biomedical Education & Innovation and the postdoc supervisor).

Discovery Postdoctoral Fellows have a unique opportunity to conduct innovative, interdisciplinary research and are expected to publish their results in leading journals. We collaborate across scientific and organizational boundaries, with a focus on powerful new technologies that have the potential to help produce therapeutic breakthroughs for patients.

Through the Novartis Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, you will build your competency as a drug hunter, and as a scientific leader in the field. You will join a professional network that will support your growth as a research scientist, and you will have the opportunity to tackle disease and make an impact, by reimagining medicine together.

Start date: September 2025

Key Responsibilities

As a Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow, you will:

• Work independently as well as with interdisciplinary teams to conceive, conduct, and analyze in vitro / ex vivo experiments to develop & validate biochemical, cellular, multi-omics, and functional assays to support programs in DAx
• Develop complex cross-organ cellular/tissue models (bioengineered) for early exploratory drug discovery, biomarker, pharmacodynamic, and safety assessments
• Independently troubleshoot issues, analyze, and present data at internal / external forums
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on target discovery and drug development projects
  
  

Role Requirements

• Ph.D. degree in Bioengineering / Cell Biology or related field
• Note that PhD students in the last year of their thesis work are eligible to apply. Applicants are only eligible to apply up to 2 years from the date of receiving their PhD (i.e. PhD degrees must have been awarded May 2023 or later).
• Hands-on experience in developing complex cell models, organ-on-chip models, microfluidic devices
• Demonstrated proficiency in a broad range of techniques across pharmacology / molecular biology / protein biochemistry / cellular assays & analysis [such as cloning, PCR, viral vector transfection/transduction, CRISPR gene editing, receptor-ligand interactions, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, cell-based assays, flow cytometry, cell sorting, MSD/ELISA, transcriptomics, NGS data analysis]
• Candidate must be highly motivated with a collaborative mindset and have excellent analytical, communication (verbal and written), presentation and organizational skills
• Demonstrated capability to work independently, pay strong attention to detail, thrive in a fast-paced matrix research environment capacity, to adapt and respond timely to needs of research & personnel
• Strong publication record or other scientific achievements (i.e. awards, patents, grants)
• Passion for fundamental exploratory research and boundless curiosity
  
  

Desirable Requirements

• Modeling cross-organ / cross-tissue interactions
• Broad understanding of disease mechanisms
• Strong multi-tasking and troubleshooting capability
• Documentation of experiments and results in electronic systems
• Demonstrated proficiency in using biological databases and online resources / tools to analyze protein, DNA, and RNA sequences
• Experience with high throughput screening, immunohistochemistry, high content imaging is a plus
  
  

How To Apply

Please submit your CV and cover letter by July 5th 2025 for consideration. Please make sure to discuss in the cover letter how this training program will help you fulfill your career goals.

The starting salary for this position is $87,000 per year.

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. #PDX

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

Join our Novartis Network: Not the right Novartis role for you? Sign up to our talent community to stay connected and learn about suitable career opportunities as soon as they come up: https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network

Benefits and Rewards: Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards

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 & 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 [email protected] 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.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Internship

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Research, Analyst, and Information Technology

• Industries

  Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

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