Senior Scientist, Peptide Display Technologies

U175 (FCRS = US175) Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 94,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, life & disability benefits

401(k) with company match

Generous time off

Job summary

Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc. in San Diego seeks a Senior Scientist I/II for Exploratory Chemical Biology to advance discovery of small molecules, peptides, and proteins using display technologies and molecular engineering.

You will design and execute discovery campaigns, generate libraries, and collaborate across teams in a fast-paced research environment, contributing to next-generation platforms and breakthrough medicines.

Qualifications

• BS, MS, or recent PhD (within last 2 years) in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemical Biology, Bioengineering, or a related field, with 4+ years of relevant experience or training.
• Hands-on experience with display technologies (phage, yeast, and/or mRNA), screening and assay technologies, and molecular biology methods, including library construction and quality control, PCR, cloning, electroporation, and DNA assembly.
• Strong laboratory skills, attention to experimental detail, and accurate, timely documentation in electronic laboratory notebooks.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deliver results within established timelines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to work effectively in a diverse, collaborative team.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute peptide and protein discovery campaigns using phage, mRNA, yeast, and other display or selection platforms.
• Generate, characterize, and quality-control combinatorial libraries using cloning, PCR, DNA assembly, mutagenesis, and sequencing.
• Identify and optimize discovery candidates through iterative selection, molecular engineering, and biochemical or biophysical characterization using ELISA, flow cytometry, BLI, SPR, and related technologies.
• Analyze data and clearly communicate findings to project teams.
• Implement new technologies, workflows, and automation approaches to improve discovery efficiency.

Skills

Display technologies

Phage display

Yeast display

mRNA display

Molecular biology

PCR

Cloning

DNA assembly

Electroporation

Quality control

Library construction

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemical Biology, Bioengineering or related field

Job description

Band Level 3 Job Description Summary We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist to join the Exploratory Chemical Biology team within the Novartis Biomedical Research in San Diego. The successful candidate will contribute to the discovery of LMW, peptide, and protein therapeutics through the application of modern display technologies and molecular engineering approaches. This position provides a unique opportunity to work at the interface of chemical biology, protein engineering, and emerging therapeutic modalities. The successful candidate will support discovery programs through the design and execution of display selections, library constructions, molecular characterizations, and data analyses in a highly collaborative research environment. Bring your expertise in display technologies and molecular engineering to one of the industry's most innovative research organizations. As a Senior Scientist in Exploratory Chemical Biology at Novartis Biomedical Research, you will help unlock new therapeutic possibilities across small molecules, peptides, and proteins. You'll collaborate with world-class scientists, apply emerging discovery technologies, and contribute to building next-generation platforms that enable breakthrough medicines. If you thrive in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment and are excited by scientific innovation, this role offers an exceptional opportunity to make a meaningful impact on how future medicines are discovered.

Job Description Internal Job Title: Senior Scientist I/II Position Location: onsite, San Diego, CA

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute peptide and protein discovery campaigns using phage, mRNA, yeast, and other display or selection platforms.
• Generate, characterize, and quality-control combinatorial libraries using cloning, PCR, DNA assembly, mutagenesis, and sequencing.
• Identify and optimize discovery candidates through iterative selection, molecular engineering, and biochemical or biophysical characterization using ELISA, flow cytometry, BLI, SPR, and related technologies.
• Analyze data and clearly communicate findings to project teams.
• Implement new technologies, workflows, and automation approaches to improve discovery efficiency.

Essential Requirements

• BS, MS, or recent PhD (within last 2 years) in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemical Biology, Bioengineering, or a related field, with 4+ years of relevant experience or training. Drug discovery experience preferred.
• Hands-on experience with display technologies (phage, yeast, and/or mRNA), screening and assay technologies, and molecular biology methods, including library construction and quality control, PCR, cloning, electroporation, and DNA assembly.
• Strong laboratory skills, attention to experimental detail, and accurate, timely documentation in electronic laboratory notebooks.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deliver results within established timelines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to work effectively in a diverse, collaborative team.

Compensation and Benefits

• The salary for this position is expected to range between $93,800 and $174,200 annually for Senior Scientist I, and $98,700 and $183,300 USD annually for Senior 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.
• Salary Range $93,800.00 - $174,200.00

Skills Desired

Analytical Thinking, Chemical Biology, Chemistry, Clinical Research, Clinical Trials, Collaboration, Curious Mindset, Data Analysis, Detail-Oriented, Ethics, Gene Therapy, Immunology, Machine Learning (ML), Mammalian Cell Culture, Medical Research, Molecular Biology, Patient Care, Science

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

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.

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Accessibility and Reasonable Accommodations

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