Innovation Postdoctoral Fellow / Innovation Postdoctoral Fellowess

Job ID

REQ-10057139

Posting Date

July 07, 2025

Location

Switzerland, Campus Basel

Summary

We are excited to invite applications for our Innovation Fellowship track within the Novartis Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. This unique applied research program is designed to revolutionize the approach to drug discovery, and as a fellow, you will have the opportunity to enhance your skills and positively impact patient outcomes at Novartis.

About the Role

This program is centered around teamwork in the field of drug hunting, providing you with essential experience in drug discovery as part of a multidisciplinary team in Biomedical Research. Embrace this chance to be at the forefront of future developments in drug discovery!

As a participant in the Innovation Fellowship track, you will integrate into our thriving postdoctoral community and engage in various events, including monthly seminars and networking opportunities. Surrounded by a collaborative network of postdocs and scientists, you will accelerate your scientific growth while enhancing your professional skill set. This applied research program extends over a duration of three years.

Current models, such as human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and embryonic stem cell (ES)-derived neurons, tend to be inherently immature, limiting their effectiveness in modeling disease-relevant phenotypes, particularly in age-related disorders. Addressing this challenge by promoting maturation and incorporating aging elements is vital for developing accurate and effective models of neurodegenerative diseases.

The primary aims of this innovation postdoc are:

• To drive patient-derived induced neuronal cells to full maturity.
• To accelerate the aging of these mature neurons to simulate neurodegenerative disease-like states.

Through the Novartis Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, you will cultivate your competencies as a drug hunter and evolve into a scientific leader in the field. You will gain access to a professional network dedicated to supporting your research career and enabling you to make significant impacts in medicine.

Preferred Start Date

October 2025

Key Responsibilities

As an Innovation Postdoctoral Fellow, your responsibilities will include:

• Working independently as well as collaborating with interdisciplinary teams.
• Designing and executing experiments related to neuron aging, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• Identifying suitable protocols for iPSC maturation and aging through literature research.
• Establishing a fast cycle time for testing and optimizing new protocol ideas.
• Setting up benchmark experiments to validate the maturity and aging of neuronal systems.

Role Requirements

• PhD in molecular biology, neuroscience, tissue engineering, or a related field.
• Eligible candidates include PhD students in their final year. Applicants should have received their PhD within the last 2 years (i.e., PhD degrees must have been awarded May 2023 or later).
• Experience in neuronal cell culturing, iPSC, complex in-vitro systems, and cellular aging.
• A strong publication record or other scientific achievements (such as awards, patents, or grants).
• Excellent analytical, communication, presentation, and organizational skills.
• A passion for fundamental exploratory research and an insatiable curiosity.
• A proactive, experimental mindset.

How to Apply

Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

Accessibility and Accommodation

Novartis is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to all individuals. If you require accommodations due to a medical condition or disability during the recruitment process, please contact us via email at diversity.inclusion_ch@novartis.com, and include your request along with your contact information. Please reference the job requisition number in your message.

Why Novartis?

At Novartis, helping people with diseases and their families requires more than innovative science; it requires a community of passionate, smart individuals like you. By collaborating and supporting one another, we achieve breakthroughs that transform patients' lives. Are you ready to create a brighter future together? Find out more about us here.

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Benefits and Rewards

Explore our benefits handbook to discover the numerous ways we support your personal and professional growth: Learn More.

Division

Biomedical Research

Business Unit

Pharma Research

Job Type

Full-time

Employment Type

Early Career (Fixed Term)

Shift Work

No