Job ID
REQ-10074527
Posting Date
March 23, 2026
Location
Basel, Switzerland
Employment Type
Full-time, onsite, #LI-Onsite
Summary
At Novartis, our Immunology group in Biomedical Research is dedicated to developing the next generation of therapies for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with the ambition of transforming the lives of patients. This is your opportunity to leverage your scientific talent and curiosity in a collaborative, interdisciplinary setting, turning complex human data into actionable, therapy-relevant insights within a competitive and dynamic landscape.
About the Role
The Translational Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) lab, integrated within the Immunology Research Disease Area, focuses on accelerating target discovery and the positioning of therapeutic compounds for IBD (Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s disease). We are seeking a scientist with a robust background in mechanistic translational research in mucosal immunology to lead our lab's research activities. If you are passionate about understanding the molecular basis of IBD and the mechanisms of action of compounds at the intersection of preclinical and clinical research, we invite you to join our team.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and execute mechanistic experiments: Conduct hands-on experiments that link human disease biology to druggable targets, advancing preclinical compound development, enhancing understanding of drug modes of action, and differentiating novel drugs from standard-of-care treatments.
- Leverage human biosamples: Utilize samples such as blood and intestinal biopsies to generate data for critical decision-making and position candidate molecules for clinical trials, including target validation and biomarker strategy.
- Collaborate with clinical teams: Work closely with early clinical teams (Biomarker Development, Translational Medicine) to test clinical hypotheses and improve patient stratification strategies.
- Drive data-driven target discovery: Collaborate with data scientists and in vivo biology labs to connect quantitative methods to patient heterogeneity and outcomes.
- Foster a culture of collaboration: Promote talent development and integrity within the team.
Minimum Requirements
- PhD or MD qualification in Mucosal Immunology, Gastroenterology, Barrier Immunology, or a related field, with a strong track record of peer-reviewed publications.
- At least 3 years of relevant translational research experience in a collaborative academic or industry setting, bridging clinical and preclinical evidence.
- Hands-on expertise in immunological, cell biology, and molecular biology assays, with experience using in vitro human models relevant to IBD.
- Proven ability to conduct experiments utilizing in vitro human systems and biosamples, adhering to best practices in sample tracking and ethics.
- Experience collaborating with data scientists to ensure high-quality experimental design and reproducibility.
- A successful track record of completing projects within tight timelines.
Additional Requirements
- Prior experience mentoring junior researchers is an advantage.
- Experience in drug discovery programs within biotech/pharma or a translational academic/clinical setting is beneficial.
- Data science literacy and confidence in interpreting multi-omic outputs and statistical analyses are considered assets.
Accessibility and Accommodation
Novartis is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with medical conditions or disabilities. If you require assistance during the recruitment process or need more information about the essential functions of a position, please contact us at inclusion.switzerland@novartis.com and include your contact information and the job requisition number in your message.
Why Novartis?
At Novartis, helping individuals with diseases and their families requires more than innovative science—it demands a community of smart, passionate people like you. Together, we collaborate, support, and inspire one another to achieve breakthroughs that change patients' lives. Are you ready to help create a brighter future together?
Benefits and Rewards
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Application Instructions
Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.