Principal Scientist I/II —CAR-T Lead

U175 (FCRS = US175) Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 109,000 - 202,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based incentive

401(k) with company match

Health benefits

Life benefits

Vacation and paid time off

Job summary

Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc. in Cambridge, MA seeks a PhD scientist with 1–2 years of related experience to join a multidisciplinary cell therapeutics discovery team focused on CAR‑T engineering and T‑cell biology.

You will design and evaluate CAR constructs, perform functional testing, and collaborate across research partners to drive translational opportunities. The role emphasizes high‑quality data generation, cross‑functional teamwork, and contributions to future

Qualifications

• - PhD in immunology, cell biology, molecular biology, bioengineering, or related discipline with 1–2 years of relevant 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 culture of primary human T cells.
• - Experience designing and generating lentiviral CAR constructs and interpreting functional data for construct optimization.
• - Able to independently design and execute experiments, prioritize research activities, and provide evidence‑based recommendations.
• - Strong collaboration and scientific communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute innovative research to advance next‑generation CAR‑T approaches.
• 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 test analytical methods.
• Execute cell‑line engineering to develop models for evaluating function and inform construct selection.
• Integrate findings across engineering, in vitro biology, and in vivo pharmacology to inform prioritization.
• Drive projects to meet timelines while ensuring data quality and integrity.
• Comply with SOPs and maintain meticulous records in ELN.
• Contribute to drafting technical documents and regulatory submissions as needed.
• Present results and recommendations to cross‑functional teams and leadership.

Skills

CAR‑T engineering

Flow cytometry

Lentiviral CAR constructs

T‑cell biology

Cross‑functional collaboration

Education

PhD in immunology/cell biology

Tools

Flow cytometer

ELISA

MSD

Luminex

Job description

Job Description Summary

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, informs 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.

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.

Compensation and Benefit Summary

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.

• performance-based cash incentive
• eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards
• health benefits
• life benefits
• disability benefits
• a 401(k) with company contribution and match
• a variety of other benefits
• 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

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}