Principal Scientist – Analytics Team Lead

Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 108,500 - 222,300; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, life and disability benefits

401(k) with company match

Equity awards eligibility

Job summary

Novartis Biologics Research Center in Cambridge, MA is seeking a highly experienced leader in Physical Chemistry Analytics (PCA) and Mass Spectrometry (MS) to guide the analytics, bioanalytics and formulation team and help shape a diverse biologics portfolio.

As a Team Lead, you will lead a group of up to 5 associates, ensuring quality, fostering collaboration and driving innovation across antibodies, ADCs, and viral vectors through advanced analytical methods.

Qualifications

• PhD in biochemistry/biotechnology/chemistry with 3+ years pharma industry experience and 2+ years of people management.
• Strong background in analysis of recombinant proteins (mAbs, fusion proteins) by MS, chromatography, CE, and light scattering.
• Experience with cutting-edge characterization of PCA techniques for novel biologics modalities (multispecifics, AAV, ADCs).
• Experience with LC-MS techniques (Orbitraps, QTOFs) and hyphenated MS (SEC-MS, CE-MS); familiarity with CDMS useful for AAV.
• Experience with data analysis workflows and report generation.
• Proven ability to lead, coach and develop people.
• Strong teamwork, flexibility, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive PCA and MS analytics strategy in Cambridge within a global matrix organization for a diverse biologics pipeline.
• Act as senior analytics expert in project teams, ensuring high-quality deliverables.
• Foster streamlined processes and ongoing innovation using latest technologies.
• Effectively manage resources, timelines, and maintain customer focus with clear team objectives.
• Provide leadership and guidance, leveraging team expertise.
• Drive collaboration, integrity, and a safe, empowering working environment.

Skills

Mass spectrometry

Chromatography

Capillary electrophoresis

Light scattering

PCA techniques

Protein analysis

Data analysis

Team leadership

Project management

Biologics

Education

PhD in Biochemistry

Tools

Orbitrap

QTOF

SEC-MALS

CE-MS

LC-MS

CDMS

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Biologics Research Center (BRC) at Novartis BioMedical Research is looking for a motivated and highly experienced leader in field of Physical Chemistry Analytics (PCA) and Mass Spectrometry (MS) to join BRC’s Analytics, Bioanalytics and Formulation unit and help us develop a diverse portfolio of biotherapeutic modalities.

Job Description

Internal Job Title: Principal Scientist I/II

Position Location: Cambridge, MA, onsite

The Biologics Research Center (BRC) at Novartis BioMedical Research is looking for a motivated and highly experienced leader in field of Physical Chemistry Analytics (PCA) and Mass Spectrometry (MS) to join BRC’s Analytics, Bioanalytics and Formulation unit and help us develop a diverse portfolio of biotherapeutic modalities.

As a Team Lead for the analytics team, you will demonstrate a broad and in-depth knowledge of technologies in PCA and MS to evaluate the developability of various biologics modalities covered by BRC ranging from traditional antibodies to gene therapy viral vector, ensuring quality of material delivered and eventually enabling candidate selection. You will lead a team of up to 5 associates where you will be responsible for a continuously strong culture of team spirit and integrity, as well as providing development opportunities for associates on different levels.

Key responsibilities

• Drive the analytics (PCA and MS) strategy in Cambridge, working globally in a matrix organization to support a diverse biologics pipeline (e.g. antibodies, fusion proteins, ADCs, bi- and trispecifics, AAVs, Lentiviruses) transitioning into clinical development
• Act as senior analytics expert in project teams ensuring optimal project support and high quality for all deliverables of your group
• Foster streamlined processes and optimal use of capacities as well as continued innovation, incorporating latest technologies and knowledge
• Effectively manage resources, project activities, timelines, maintain a strong customer focus and set respective objectives for your team
• Provide leadership and clear guidance to the team, optimally leveraging the expertise and experience of individuals
• Drive a culture of collaboration, integrity, and team development, and ensure a safe, empowering, and inspiring working environment

Essential Requirements

• PhD degree or equivalent in biochemistry, biotechnology, chemistry or a related field with 3+ years of related experience in the pharmaceutical industry, with 2+ years of experience as a people manager
• Strong scientific background in analysis of recombinant proteins (mAb, bi/tri‑specific mAbs, therapeutic proteins) by techniques such as mass spectrometry, chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, and light scattering technologies
• Implementation and supervision of cutting‑edge characterization of PCA techniques for analyzing novel biologics modalities, e.g. multispecific Abs, AAV, ADCs, oligonucleotides, CAR‑T’s. This entails the evaluation of novel instrumentation and the development of new applications to existing technologies such as dynamic light scattering, chromatography (SEC, HIC, IEX, RPC), MALS, capillary electrophoresis (cIEF, CZE, CE‑SDS), and other advanced technologies
• Experience with modern LC‑MS techniques (Intact/reduced/subunit RPMS, peptide mapping, released glycans), managing instrumentation (orbitraps, QTOFs) and modern hyphenated MS techniques (SEC‑MS, CE‑MS). Experience interpreting CDMS results for AAV analysis is beneficial, direct instrument experience not required
• Experience with data analysis workflows and report generation
• Proven ability to lead, coach and develop people
• Distinguished team spirit and scientific drive
• High flexibility combined with excellent organizational and communication skills

Compensation & Benefits

The salary for this position is expected to range between $108,500 and $201,500 per year for Principal Scientist I, and between $119,700 and $222,300 per year for Principal Scientist II. 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, 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

$108,500.00 - $201,500.00

Skills Desired

Analytical Thinking, Chemical Biology, Chemistry, Clinical Trials, Collaboration, Curious Mindset, Data Analysis, Detail‑Oriented, Drug Development, Ethics, Gene Therapy, Immunology, Inventory Management, Machine Learning (ML), Medical Research, Molecular Biology, Python (Programming Language), Science