Innovation Postdoctoral Fellow / Innovation Postdoctoral Fellowess

Job ID

REQ-10057213

Date

July 7, 2025

Location

Switzerland

Summary

We are inviting applications for our Innovation Fellowship track of the Novartis Postdoctoral Program.

About the Role

This applied research program is designed to transform our approach to drug discovery. As a fellow, you will have the opportunity to apply your skills to make a difference for patients and reimagine medicine at Novartis. Drug hunting is a collaborative effort, and you will gain invaluable experience in drug discovery as part of a multidisciplinary team in Biomedical Research. Take this chance to be at the forefront of the future of drug discovery!

As part of the Innovation Fellowship track, you will join our dynamic and dedicated postdoctoral community, participating in monthly seminars and various events tailored for postdocs. You will be surrounded by a supportive and collaborative network of postdocs and scientists who contribute to accelerating your scientific growth while enhancing your professional skill set. Opportunities will also be available for you to undertake a Postdoc Practicum in another laboratory or in a business function within Novartis. This applied research program lasts for a duration of three years.

Transcription factors play crucial roles in regulating immune responses, inflammation, and cellular stress pathways. However, their structural flexibility—often due to intrinsically disordered regions—has made them historically "undruggable." This project aims to address that challenge by leveraging novel mechanisms to selectively target these proteins. By modulating transcription factor stability, we aspire to unlock new therapeutic strategies for immunological disorders with a high unmet medical need, particularly in patient populations that have shown no response to current treatments.

Through the Novartis Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, you will cultivate your capabilities as a drug hunter and a scientific leader in the field. You will join an extensive professional network that will support your growth as a research scientist while enabling you to tackle diseases and make a meaningful impact by reimagining medicine together.

Preferred start date: October 2025

Key Responsibilities

As an Innovation Postdoctoral Fellow, you will:

• Work independently as well as with interdisciplinary teams.
• Investigate novel mechanisms for targeted degradation of transcription factors, focusing on intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs).
• Conduct cell-based and in vitro experiments.
• Analyze multi-omics data and apply AI-driven protein complex modeling in collaboration with data science experts.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams in immunology, chemistry, structural biology, and data science.
• Contribute to publications and the development of new drug discovery technologies.

Role Requirements

• PhD in transcription factor biology or a related field.
• Note that PhD students in the final year of their thesis work are eligible to apply. Applicants must be within 2 years from the date of receiving their PhD (i.e., PhD degrees must have been awarded June 2023 or later).
• Experience in understanding regulatory complexes using protein-based approaches and conducting functional cellular assays.
• Strong publication record or other scientific achievements (e.g., awards, patents, grants).
• Excellent analytical, communication, presentation, and organizational skills.

Apply Online

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

Accessibility and Accommodation

Novartis is dedicated to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to all individuals. If, due to a medical condition or disability, you require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process or need detailed information regarding the essential functions of a position, please send an email to diversity.inclusion_ch@novartis.com. Include the nature of your request and your contact information, along with the job requisition number in your message.

Why Novartis

Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science; it requires a community of smart, passionate individuals like you. Join us as we collaborate, support, and inspire one another to achieve breakthroughs that change patients' lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? Learn more at Novartis People and Culture.

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If this isn't the right role for you, consider joining our talent community to stay connected and learn about suitable career opportunities as soon as they become available: Novartis Talent Network.

Benefits and Rewards

Explore our handbook to learn about the various ways we help you thrive personally and professionally: Novartis Benefits and Rewards.

Division

Biomedical Research

Business Unit

Pharma Research

Company / Legal Entity

C028 (FCRS = CH028) Novartis Pharma AG

Functional Area

Others

Job Type

Full-Time

Employment Type

Early Career (Fixed Term)

Shift Work

No