Principal Scientist I/II —CAR-T Lead

Novartis; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 109,000 - 202,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis is seeking a highly motivated PhD scientist to join a multidisciplinary CAR-T discovery team in Cambridge, MA. The role focuses on engineering and evaluating next-generation CAR-T constructs, with hands-on experience in lentiviral CAR design, flow-based analytics, and translational data interpretation.

The successful candidate will collaborate with cross-functional teams, generate high-quality data, and contribute to informing clinical strategies and potential regulatory submissions.

Qualifications

• PhD required in immunology, cell biology, molecular biology, bioengineering, or related field with 1–2 years of relevant research experience.
• Hands-on experience in CAR-T engineering or engineered T-cell approaches.
• Experience with ex vivo cell characterization using multicolor flow cytometry (FACS) and cytokine profiling methods (ELISA, MSD, Luminex).
• Experience designing and generating lentiviral CAR constructs and interpreting functional data.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute research to advance next-generation CAR-T approaches.
• Design, generate, and evaluate complex lentiviral CAR constructs.
• Perform functional testing and optimize CAR-T cells; develop and test analytical methods.
• Engineer cell lines to create models for function and construct prioritization.
• Collaborate across teams to meet timelines with high data quality and integrity.
• Draft technical documents and contribute to regulatory content when needed.
• Present results and recommendations to cross-functional teams and leadership.

Skills

CAR-T engineering

Flow cytometry (FACS)

T-cell culture

Lentiviral constructs

Data interpretation

Education

PhD in immunology or related field

Tools

FACS

ELISA / MSD / Luminex

Job description

Band

Level 4

Job Description Summary

#LI-Onsite
Location: Cambridge, MA, USA

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD scientist with 1–2 years of relevant experience to join a multidisciplinary cell therapeutics discovery team within Oncology Immune Therapeutics and contribute to pioneering CAR-T cell therapies. As a key individual contributor, the successful candidate will work closely with cross-functional research partners, applying expertise in CAR-T engineering and T-cell biology to investigate novel cell therapy platforms and design, generate, and evaluate CAR constructs. The candidate will generate high-quality data that deepens our understanding of emerging CAR-T therapies, inform research and development decisions, and contributes to the design of future clinical trials. This position is ideal for a talented, results-oriented scientist who wishes to combine an interest in cancer immunobiology with a strong desire to discover and develop innovative cellular therapeutic approaches.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute innovative research to advance next-generation CAR-T approaches, translating project objectives into experimental plans and decision criteria.
• Design, generate, and evaluate complex lentiviral constructs for logic-gated CAR-T approaches.
• Perform hands-on functional testing and optimization of CAR-T cells, and collaboratively develop and test novel analytical methods.
• Execute cell-line engineering to develop fit-for-purpose experimental models to evaluate function and inform construct selection.
• Critically analyze and integrate findings across engineering, in vitro biology, and in vivo pharmacology to inform candidate prioritization and translational opportunities.
• Collaboratively drive projects to meet established timelines while maintaining the highest quality and data integrity standards.
• Comply with established protocols and SOPs while performing experiments, and record and maintain meticulous records in an electronic laboratory notebook.
• Contribute to drafting technical documents and, where relevant to the program, scientific content for regulatory submissions.
• Present results, project updates, and recommendations to cross-functional teams, department meetings, and scientific leadership.

Essential Requirements

• PhD in immunology, cell biology, molecular biology, bioengineering, or a related discipline, with 1–2 years of relevant research experience.
• Hands-on experience in CAR-T engineering or engineered T-cell approaches.
• Expertise in ex vivo cell characterization using multicolor flow cytometry (FACS) and cytokine profiling methods such as ELISA, MSD, or Luminex.
• Prior experience with immune-cell isolation techniques and the culture of primary human T cells.
• Experience designing and generating lentiviral CAR constructs and interpreting functional data to guide iterative construct optimization.
• Demonstrated ability to independently design and execute experiments, prioritize research activities, solve complex problems, and make evidence-based recommendations.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and adapt to changing research directions and priorities.
• Strong collaboration and scientific communication skills, meticulous documentation practices, and a commitment to research quality and data integrity.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience partnering with computational biology, target discovery, and in vivo pharmacology teams to advance engineered cell therapies.
• Experience with engineered T-cell manufacturing and culture.
• Understanding of synthetic biology principles applied to cell engineering.
• Experience developing functional profiling approaches and experimental models that support candidate selection and translational decision-making.

Novartis Compensation and Benefit Summary:

The salary for this position is expected to range between

• Principal Scientist I: $108,500 - $201,500 USD Annual per year.
• Principal Scientist II: $119,700 - $222,300 US Annual per year.

The final position and 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, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We strive to create an inclusive workplace that cultivates bold innovation through collaboration and empowers our people to unleash their full potential.

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 in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an email to [e-mail] call [phone] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

https://www.novartis.com/careers/careers-research/notice-all-applicants-us-job-openings

Salary Range

$108,500.00 - $201,500.00

Skills Desired

Analytical Thinking, Analytical Thinking, Chemical Biology, Chemistry, Clinical Trials, Collaboration, Communication, Curious Mindset, Data Analysis, Data Management, Design of Experiments (DOE), Detail-Oriented, Drug Development, Drug Discovery Process, Ethics, Gene Therapy, Immunology, Inventory Management, Laboratory Research, Leading Project Teams, Life Science, Machine Learning (ML), Management Techniques, Medical Research, Molecular Biology {+ 9 more}