Job ID: REQ-10053205
Date: May 27, 2025
Location: Basel, Switzerland
Summary
Onsite
Level: Principal Scientist II or Senior Principal Scientist
Full-time, onsite
At Novartis, we are reimagining medicine to improve and extend people's lives. We employ innovative science and technology to tackle some of society's most challenging healthcare issues. Our mission involves discovering and developing breakthrough treatments and finding new ways to deliver them to more people. We believe that the answers to advancing our science and helping patients in need lie in empowering curious, courageous, and collaborative individuals to ask new questions, make bolder decisions, and take smarter risks.
In Global Discovery Chemistry (GDC) in Basel, we are at the heart of Novartis' purpose. We are seeking a highly motivated and independent scientist with robust expertise in parallel purification and automation. You will enhance our existing team of separation and analytical experts with your passion and experience in designing and implementing integrated and automated workflows for the purification of new and emerging modalities. The successful candidate will understand projects in the context of the overall process and play a crucial role in their success by providing customized solutions, thus directly contributing to the discovery of new medicines.
About the Role
Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
- Develop, implement, and oversee innovative solutions and workflows to enhance parallel purification and analytics platforms that support diverse chemical modalities, including peptides, oligonucleotides, and low molecular weight (LMW) compounds.
- Implement and maintain robust, scalable, high-throughput purification platforms for peptides and additional modalities, ensuring alignment with associated analytical processes.
- Refine and optimize ongoing library purification workflows, collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams and external partners to adapt equipment and processes in response to evolving needs.
- Work closely with cross-site and cross-functional partner groups to support harmonized digital workflows, hardware setups, and data integration while promoting data standardization and advancing capabilities for active learning.
- Lead and mentor a team of experienced scientists, fostering an environment of professional growth and scientific excellence, enabling team members to achieve impactful results.
- Anticipate emerging trends and future needs in automation solutions for purification and analytics, driving forward-thinking strategies in collaboration with chemists and project teams, aligning with GDC's evolving priorities.
- Serve as a subject matter expert, sharing domain-specific expertise, introducing novel techniques, and encouraging creativity and resourcefulness while helping to shape the group's strategic vision.
- Actively participate in global scientific communities through presentations, publications, and professional networking.
What You Will Bring to the Role
- A science or engineering degree (PhD or Master's) with at least 5 years of post-degree experience in automation and purification, preferably within a drug discovery context.
- State-of-the-art knowledge and recent experience in implementing automation solutions, including digital workflows (software/hardware), troubleshooting hardware systems, and proficiency with current data workflow and analysis software packages.
- Proven expertise in peptide purification; experience with oligonucleotide and low molecular weight compound processing is highly desirable.
- Hands-on experience utilizing Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) for workflow management, data tracking, and analytical reporting in a high-throughput environment.
- A demonstrated record of coaching, mentoring, and leading a team of scientists, as well as establishing and fostering cross-site and interdisciplinary collaborations.
- History of independently initiating and driving projects to completion, showcasing strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Exceptional collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively within a matrixed organization and build consensus across diverse teams and stakeholders.
- Strong connections within external networks in the parallel purification and automation community are highly desirable.
- Proficiency in English (written and spoken) is required.
Why Novartis
Our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people's lives, and our vision is to become the most valued and trusted medicines company in the world. Achieving this relies on our people—our associates drive us each day to reach our goals. Be part of this mission and join us!
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Novartis is dedicated to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and ensuring that our teams are representative of the patients and communities we serve.
Accessibility and Accommodation
Novartis is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to all individuals. If you require assistance due to a medical condition or disability during the recruitment process, please reach out to diversity.inclusion_ch@novartis.com. Include your request's nature and ensure to mention the job requisition number in your message.
How to Apply
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.
Benefits and Rewards
Explore our comprehensive benefits handbook to learn about the various ways we support your personal and professional growth.