Scientific AI Platform Lead, Data Science, Disease Area X

Novartis Group Companies; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 126,000 - 257,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, life & disability benefits

401(k) with company match

Annual equity awards eligibility

Job summary

Novartis Group Companies seeks a Scientific AI Platform Lead to join the DAx Data Science team in Cambridge, MA, hybrid. Lead multidisciplinary teams, operationalize AI solutions, and shape DAx AI data strategy in partnership with enterprise IT. Reports to Head of Data Science, DAx.

The role emphasizes building enterprise-grade AI analysis platforms, mentoring scientists and engineers, and collaborating with external vendors while aligning with enterprise IT and governance practices.

Qualifications

• PhD in AI/ML or related field; equivalent practical experience.
• 3+ years hands-on data science/engineering in biopharma or tech.
• Experience building production-grade multimodal data platforms.
• Proficient in Python, SQL, cloud platforms; ML frameworks (PyTorch).

Responsibilities

• Translate scientific and operational AI needs into actionable solutions.
• Design and maintain scalable AI pipelines and data products.
• Scale AI workflows with FAIR data practices.
• Mentor cross-functional teams and oversee vendors.
• Communicate strategy and results through technical docs and presentations.

Skills

Python

SQL

Cloud platforms

Workflow orchestration

Pytorch

Agile

Communication skills

Education

PhD in AI/ML or related field

Tools

Snowflake

Databricks

Palantir Foundry

AWS

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Scientific AI Platform Lead will join the Disease Area X (DAx) Data Science team at Novartis to build enterprise-grade, AI analysis platforms and data products to accelerate drug discovery. This role will lead and partner on multidisciplinary project teams, operationalize generative and agentic AI solutions, shape DAx AI data strategy, and collaborate with enterprise IT teams. This role reports to the Head of Data Science, DAx.

Internal Job Title:Senior Expert I/II, Data Science

Position Location: Cambridge, MA, hybrid

** This role is based in Cambridge, MA. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible for you.

Job description Summary

The Scientific AI Platform Lead will join the Disease Area X (DAx) Data Science team at Novartis to build enterprise-grade, AI analysis platforms and data products to accelerate drug discovery. This role will lead and partner on multidisciplinary project teams, operationalize generative and agentic AI solutions, shape DAx AI data strategy, and collaborate with enterprise IT teams. This role reports to the Head of Data Science, DAx.

Responsibilities

• Translate scientific and operational AI needs into impactful, decision-enabling solutions.
• Hands-on design, build, and sustain scalable AI-focused omics pipelines, APIs, and integrated data products.
• Scale AI workflows using reproducible, transparent, secure, and FAIR data practices.
• Prioritize resources against evolving research needs.
• Establish rigorous project evaluation, deployment, lifecycle, and governance practices.
• Mentor, train and coach wet lab scientists, data scientists, engineers, and cross-functional teams.
• Provide oversight and onboarding of external vendors and service providers.
• Effectively communicate strategy, implementation details and results through internal and external presentations, posters, publications, and technical documentation.

Requirements

• PhD in AI/ML, data science/engineering, computational biology, bioinformatics, computer science/engineering, mathematics, physics, or a related discipline with equivalent practical experience.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience in scientific data science or engineering, AI/ML, computational research within biopharma and/or technology industry
• Experience building and operating production-grade multimodal data platforms for scientific analysis: omics data, data modeling, patient metadata, lineage, access controls, and reproducible workflows.
• Experience with omics analysis pipelines (i.e. genomics, transcriptomics), MCP, LLM patterns, biological foundational models, agent orchestration, and deep learning frameworks (i.e. Pytorch) is preferred.
• Familiarity with current agentic frameworks such Claude Science, Biomni, Gemini or other open-source co-scientist platforms.
• Demonstrated record of scientific or technical impact through publications, conference proceedings, open-source contributions, patents, or deployed data products.
• Deep practical experience in software or data engineering (i.e. agile), including Python, SQL, version control, testing, workflow orchestration, cloud platforms, and data lakes (i.e. Snowflake, Databricks, Palantir Foundry, AWS).
• Experience leading and supporting cross-functionally across diverse science or engineering teams, influencing key stakeholders across a matrix organization.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, ethical, self-awareness, and customer service skills.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary for this position is expected to range between $126,000 and $234,000 USD annually for Senior Expert I, Data Science, and $138,600 and $257,400 USD annually for Senior Expert II, Data Science. The final salary offered is determined based on 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.

To learn more about the culture, rewards and benefits we offer our people click here.

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

$126,000.00 - $234,000.00

Skills Desired

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Biostatistics, Change Management, Curious Mindset, Data Governance, Data Literacy, Data Quality, Data Governance, Data Literacy, Data Quality.

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