Novartis Pharma AG - July 8, 2025

Job ID

REQ-10056733

Date Posted: Jul 03, 2025

Location: Switzerland

Summary

We are thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity within our Innovation Fellowship track of the Novartis Postdoctoral Fellowship Program.

About the Role

This applied research program is designed to transform drug discovery processes. As a fellow, you will harness your skills to make a meaningful impact for patients and reimagine the landscape of medicine at Novartis. This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in drug discovery as part of a multi-disciplinary team in Biomedical Research. Step into the future of drug discovery!

Participating in the Innovation Fellowship track of our program connects you to a dynamic postdoctoral community. Engage in events such as monthly seminars and various networking opportunities tailored for postdocs. Our supportive environment fosters collaboration and accelerates your scientific growth. Furthermore, you may have the chance to undertake a Postdoc Practicum in another laboratory or business function at Novartis. The duration of this applied research program is 3 years.

We are particularly interested in pioneering disease-specific organ and tissue delivery methods for innovative therapies, including siRNA, gene therapy, and various antibody formats targeting numerous diseases. Identifying cell-specific targets or disease-specific tissues through transcriptomics and proteomics poses challenges, often necessitating individual validation of numerous potential targets.

Your postdoctoral research will focus on employing phenotypic phage display techniques to discover antibodies and their associated targets in tissue samples, whether ex-vivo or in-vivo. This approach aims to unveil novel binding mechanisms and epitopes not typically observed in classical in vitro models.

Join us in a highly collaborative environment that boasts diverse scientific and technological expertise through Biomedical Research. The Novartis Postdoctoral Fellowship Program will enhance your competency as a drug hunter and develop you into a scientific leader in the field. You will become part of a professional network dedicated to supporting your growth as a research scientist while tackling pressing health challenges together to reimagine medicine.

Preferred Start Date: October 1st, 2025

Location: Campus Basel

Key Responsibilities

Work independently as well as collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams.
Design, conduct, and analyze antibody phage display selections utilizing complex biological systems such as organs, tissue sections, and organoids.
Characterize selected antibodies and identify their targets.
Troubleshoot issues, analyze data, and present findings at internal meetings and external conferences.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams on target discovery and drug development initiatives.

Role Requirements

PhD in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, antibody discovery, or a related field.
PhD students in the final year of their thesis work are eligible to apply. Applications are accepted up to 2 years post-PhD (i.e., PhD degrees must have been awarded May 2023 or later).
Hands-on experience with organoid handling, animal/human tissue sectioning, imaging, and lysate preparation is strongly preferred. Experience in maintaining isolated organ perfusion systems is a plus.
Demonstrated proficiency across a wide range of techniques in molecular biology, protein biochemistry, cellular assays, and analysis, including cloning, high-throughput sequencing, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy.
Previous experience with phage display and working in BSL2 environments is advantageous.
A strong publication record or notable scientific achievements (awards, patents, grants) are essential.
Excellent analytical, communication, presentation, and organizational skills.
A passion for exploratory research and boundless curiosity.

How to Apply

Apply online using the form below.

Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

Accessibility and Accommodation

At Novartis, we are dedicated to providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If you require accommodations during the recruitment process due to a medical condition or disability, please reach out via email at diversity.inclusion_ch@novartis.com. We will assist you with any requests related to the essential functions of your prospective position. Remember to include the job requisition number in your message.

Why Novartis?

Helping individuals dealing with diseases and supporting their families takes more than just innovative science. It requires a community of passionate and intelligent people like you, collaborating, inspiring, and supporting one another to drive breakthroughs that change lives. Are you ready to create a brighter future together?

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Benefits and Rewards

Explore our handbook to discover the various ways we will empower your personal and professional growth.

Innovation Postdoctoral Fellow / Innovation Postdoctoral Fellowess