Location
Basel, Switzerland (Onsite)
Additional locations: Menges, Slovenia and Schaftenau, Austria
Position Overview
As a Scientific Project Consultant (SPC) within TRD Biologics, you will reinforce scientific rigor and contribute significantly to the success of the early development portfolio. You will take on a pivotal role by providing comprehensive scientific leadership, structured problem solving, and strategic guidance. In this highly collaborative environment, your expertise will bridge research decisions with process development needs, enhance the quality and speed of decision-making at critical stages, and facilitate knowledge sharing across projects and functions.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide early scientific and technical input to research teams, offering leadership and guidance on candidate selection while raising safety, efficacy, and developability concerns. Ensure that research decisions align with development needs to mitigate risks and prevent delays prior to handing over to development.
- Enable portfolio oversight and facilitate cross-project knowledge flow by connecting learnings, identifying platform-level issues, and promoting scientific exchanges across various projects and functions (drug substance, drug product, and analytical development).
- Apply structured scientific thinking to critical technical questions, conduct root-cause analyses, define options and trade-offs, and provide clear recommendations for timely conclusions.
- Strengthen governance and decision-making at key development gates by utilizing scientific rigor, enterprise thinking, and a comprehensive portfolio perspective.
- Influence across Novartis and various sites to align diverse stakeholders (e.g., research, development, technical operations, regulatory, quality) and support the execution of the agreed scientific strategy.
- Coach and mentor teams and individuals by sharing experiences and best practices, helping them build scientific capabilities and foster a collaborative working atmosphere.
- Enable innovation for novel and complex modalities (e.g., conjugates/AOCs, bispecific antibodies, therapeutic proteins) by initiating early scientific exchanges, benchmarking external advancements, and translating insights into actionable guidance.
- Assess, escalate, and communicate critical risks with urgency, proposing mitigations and ensuring alignment while maintaining scientific rigor and balanced judgment to influence outcomes.
- Collaborate with SMEs to document prior knowledge in referenceable formats that support risk assessments and enhance the quality of regulatory submissions.
- Ensure the timely establishment of upcoming new formats or technology platforms from research, ready for transfer and scaling of technologies.
What You’ll Bring to the Role
- Advanced degree (PhD preferred) in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., biochemistry, chemistry, bioengineering, pharmaceutical sciences) with strong scientific credibility.
- Extensive experience (approximately 15 years desirable) across the development spectrum—from early research projects to late development—facilitating end-to-end thinking and risk-based guidance.
- Cross-disciplinary breadth with deep expertise in at least one area; capable of connecting analytical, drug substance, and drug product considerations.
- A strong internal and external network, demonstrating the ability to influence in a complex matrix environment with resilience and perseverance.
- Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills; capable of coaching and mentoring across various levels and functions.
- Sound judgment and a strong sense of urgency regarding critical risks; able to escalate appropriately and drive balanced mitigations.
- Fluency in English (written and spoken).
Desirable Requirements
- Experience with biologics and/or complex modalities (e.g., conjugates/AOCs), with the capability to translate innovation into practical development strategies.
- Proven ability to drive execution through collaboration with others, transitioning from recommendations to implementation within a matrix organization.
- Comfortable working across multiple projects with competing priorities, maintaining a consultative mindset focused on scientific rigor and quality.
- This position may be appointed at either the Director or Associate Director level, based on the candidate’s experience and seniority.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Novartis is dedicated to fostering an exceptional, inclusive working environment and building diverse teams that reflect the patients and communities we serve.
Accessibility and Accommodation
Novartis is committed to working with all individuals and providing reasonable accommodation. If you require assistance due to a medical condition or disability during the recruitment process, or if you need more detailed information about the essential functions of a position, please reach out via email to inclusion.switzerland@novartis.com. Be sure to include your contact information, the nature of your request, and the job requisition number in your email.
How to Apply
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.