Medicinal Organic Chemist - Chemical Biology (BS or MS)

Novartis Farmacéutica; Cambridge, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 67,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) with company match

Generous time off

Job summary

Novartis is seeking a Medicinal Organic Chemist in Cambridge, MA to join the Discovery Sciences unit. The role focuses on designing and synthesizing small molecules that test biological hypotheses, using modern purification and analytical methods in a lab-based setting.

The position emphasizes a mechanistic organic chemistry background and collaboration across teams, with an emphasis on DMTA (Design, Make, Test, Analyze) cycles and data-driven decision making.

Qualifications

• BS or MS degree in chemistry; 0-5 years of industrial experience.
• Mechanistic understanding of organic chemistry; medicinal chemistry knowledge is a plus.
• Familiarity with common synthesis, purification, and analytical techniques.
• Strong problem solving and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design compounds based off team or individual hypotheses, and carry out multi-step syntheses of small molecules.
• Analyze and interpret data, solve synthetic issues and design follow-up experiments.
• Collaborate with peers and work effectively and efficiently as an important part of across-functional team.
• Adhere to laboratory safety policies and practices.

Skills

Compound design

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Laboratory safety

Problem solving

Communication skills

Chemical biology

Organic synthesis

Purification techniques

Education

BS or MS in chemistry

Tools

Analytical techniques

Job description

Medicinal Organic Chemist - Chemical Biology (BS or MS)

Job ID REQ-10085277

Aug 13, 2026

USA

Summary

The Discovery Sciences team is seeking a Research Scientist to work as an organic medicinal chemist at Novartis’ Biomedical Research headquarters in Cambridge, MA, USA.

About the Role

Internal job title: Research Scientist I / Research Scientist II

Position Location: Cambridge, MA, onsite. #LI-onsite

In this lab-based role, with team assistance, you will carry out multi-step organic chemistry synthesis routes preparing organic molecules that test molecular biology hypotheses and interrogate molecular pathways implicated in disease. You will leverage your expertise in mechanistic organic chemistry to effect functional group transformations building up complex structures. You will use modern purification techniques for final product isolation and then gather and analyze characterization data for structural confirmation. You will analyze assay results using data tools and leveraging Data Science and A.I. to work through the Design, Make, Test, Analyze (DMTA) cycle.

Key responsibilities:

• Designcompoundsbased off team or individual hypotheses,andcarry out multi-step synthesesof small molecules
• Analyze and interpret data,solve synthetic issues and design follow-up experiments
• Collaborate with peers and workeffectivelyand efficientlyasan importantpart of across-functional team
• Adhere to laboratorysafetypolicies andpractices
• BS orMS degreein chemistry; 0-5 years of industrial experience. This is not a PhD-level position.
• A mechanistic understanding of organic chemistry; knowledge of modern organic synthetic methods; medicinal chemistry knowledge is a plus
• Familiarity withcommon chemistry synthesis, purification, and analytical techniques
• Strongproblem solving andcommunication skills
• Expertise in chemical biologyand synthesis of chemical probestoaddress impactful biological and conceptual questions.
• Hands-onexperienceinsynthesisof a wide range of compound classes, practical techniques,method development,andpurification techniques.

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary for this position is expected to range between $66,800 and $124,000 per year for Research Scientist I, and between $81,200 and $150,800 per year for Research Scientist II. The final salary offered is determined based upon factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills andexperience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the publishedsalary range based on company and market factors.

Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of therole, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.

US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life anddisability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. Inaddition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days,holidays and other leaves.

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

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.

Division Biomedical Research

Business Unit Research

Location USA

State Massachusetts

Site Cambridge (USA)

Company / Legal Entity U175 (FCRS = US175) Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc.