Principal Scientist - Formulation

Novartis AG; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 109,000 - 222,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and life insurance

401(k) with company match

Generous vacation and personal days

Job summary

Novartis Biologics Center in Cambridge, MA seeks a Principal Scientist to lead formulation development and characterization for complex biologics, including mAbs and ADCs. You will guide a team of 10+ associates, shaping early-stage strategies and developability assessments to identify risks and enable candidate selection.

The role requires hands-on formulation expertise, leadership of scientists, and collaboration with CMC and discovery teams to advance clinical candidates and optimize drug

Qualifications

• PhD in biochemistry, biotechnology, chemistry, or a related field with 2+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Proven experience leading, coaching, and developing scientific teams.
• Hands-on expertise in protein formulations and assessment of biophysical properties of the molecule (e.g., DLS, Viscosity, Thermal and colloidal stability).
• Strong background in developing strategies for formulations for large-molecule therapeutics, with understanding of early-stage development workflows.
• Experience designing and executing preformulation studies and interpreting stability-indicating assays (e.g., SEC, CE, charge variants, MS).
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills, scientific curiosity, and ability to work independently.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and multitasking skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute formulation screening strategies for large-molecule therapeutics, with emphasis on mAbs and related biologic modalities.
• Lead studies to identify stable formulations and communicate results to cross-functional R&D teams.
• Manage team resources, timelines, and deliverables with a strong customer-focused mindset.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and direction to team members as the functional manager.
• Promote a safe, inclusive, and collaborative environment while engaging stakeholders across biologics discovery and technical development.
• Partner with CMC teams to advance clinical candidates, finalize clinical formulations, and support drug product process development.
• Develop stabilization strategies for liquid, frozen, and lyophilized drug product formats for clinical development.
• Apply and interpret biophysical and analytical methods, including DSC, DLS, UV-Vis, turbidity, subvisible particle analysis, viscosity, SEC, and HIC.
• Work with automation teams to implement high-throughput formulation screening and physicochemical characterization across discovery, optimization, and early development.
• Operate analytical instrumentation, analyze data, maintain ELN documentation, and author technical reports.
• Contribute to data interpretation, scientific presentations, and cross-functional discussions within the global BRC community.

Skills

Leadership

Team coaching

Scientific communication

Problem solving

Biologics formulation

Analytical thinking

Education

PhD in biochemistry/biotechnology/chemistry

Tools

DSC

DLS

UV-Vis

SEC

HIC

Job description

Job Description Summary

As a Principal Scientist, you will lead and execute formulation development and characterization strategies for complex biologics—including monoclonal antibodies (mab’s), multispecifics, antibody‑drug conjugates (ADCs), and other modalities. You will work closely with a team of more than 10 associates, driving scientific excellence while fostering a culture of collaboration, integrity, and innovation aligned with Novartis values. You will play a key role in shaping formulation strategies during early‑stage development and supporting candidate selection by identifying developability risks. This position offers broad exposure to diverse biologics modalities and opportunities to contribute both experimentally and strategically.

Job Description

Internal Job Title: Principal Scientist I/II Position Location : Cambridge, MA, onsite Job description The Biologics Center at Novartis Biomedical Research (BRC) is seeking a highly motivated leader and experienced scientist in biologics formulation to join the Analytics, Bioanalytic, and Formulation (ABF) unit. In this role, you will contribute to the development of a diverse portfolio of biotherapeutic modalities.

The ABF unit supports the characterization and formulation of therapeutic protein candidates across multiple formats, spanning discovery through transition to development. Our multidisciplinary team brings deep expertise in physicochemical characterization, mass spectrometry, and formulation sciences within a collaborative, global environment.

Role Overview

As a Principal Scientist, you will lead and execute formulation development and characterization strategies for complex biologics—including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), multispecifics, antibody‑drug conjugates (ADCs), and other modalities. You will work closely with a team of more than 10 associates, driving scientific excellence while fostering a culture of collaboration, integrity, and innovation aligned with Novartis values. You will play a key role in shaping formulation strategies during early‑stage development and supporting candidate selection by identifying developability risks. This position offers broad exposure to diverse biologics modalities and opportunities to contribute both experimentally and strategically.

Key responsibilities

• Design and execute formulation screening strategies for large‑molecule therapeutics, with emphasis on mAbs and related biologic modalities
• Lead studies to identify stable formulations and communicate results to cross‑functional R&D teams
• Manage team resources, timelines, and deliverables with a strong customer‑focused mindset
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and direction to team members as the functional manager
• Promote a safe, inclusive, and collaborative environment while engaging stakeholders across biologics discovery and technical development
• Partner with CMC teams to advance clinical candidates, finalize clinical formulations, and support drug product process development
• Develop stabilization strategies for liquid, frozen, and lyophilized drug product formats for clinical development
• Apply and interpret biophysical and analytical methods, including DSC, DLS, UV‑Vis, turbidity, subvisible particle analysis, viscosity, SEC, and HIC
• Work with automation teams to implement high‑throughput formulation screening and physicochemical characterization across discovery, optimization, and early development
• Operate analytical instrumentation, analyze data, maintain ELN documentation, and author technical reports
• Contribute to data interpretation, scientific presentations, and cross‑functional discussions within the global BRC community

Essential Requirements

• PhD in biochemistry, biotechnology, chemistry, or a related field with 2+ years of relevant industry experience
• Proven experience leading, coaching, and developing scientific teams
• Hands‑on expertise in protein formulations and assessment of biophysical properties of the molecule (e.g., DLS, Viscosity, Thermal and colloidal stability)
• Strong background in developing strategies for formulations for large‑molecule therapeutics, with understanding of early‑stage development workflows
• Experience designing and executing preformulation studies and interpreting stability‑indicating assays (e.g., SEC, CE, charge variants, MS)
• Demonstrated problem‑solving skills, scientific curiosity, and ability to work independently
• Excellent communication, organizational, and multitasking skills

Desirable Requirements

• Knowledge of viral vector‑based gene therapy (AAV, LVV) formulation and characterization
• Familiarity with DoE tools (e.g., JMP) for high‑throughput experimental design
• Experience working with automated liquid handling systems

Compensation and 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