Senior Principal Scientist in siRNA Chemistry / Senior Principal Scientistess in siRNA Chemistry

Job ID

REQ-10050374

Date: May 22, 2025

Location: Basel, Switzerland

Employment Type: Full time, onsite, #LI-onsite

Summary

Join Novartis BioMedical Research (BR), where our 6,000 associates drive innovation to create therapeutic breakthroughs for patients. At Novartis, we are reimagining medicine to enhance and extend lives. Through innovative science and technology, we tackle some of healthcare's most pressing challenges and strive to discover new treatments that reach patients around the world. We believe that breakthroughs emerge when curious, courageous, and collaborative individuals are empowered to ask bold questions and make informed decisions.

Our Global Discovery Chemistry team is looking for a passionate and creative PhD-level medicinal chemist to enhance our nucleotide and siRNA chemistry team in Basel. In this role, you will collaborate within a multidisciplinary environment to discover and develop novel siRNA therapies for unmet medical needs.

Please note that we also have the option to hire at the Principal Scientist level if that better aligns with the candidate's experience and skill set.

About the Role

Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Collaborating within a multidisciplinary project team to discover and develop novel oligonucleotide therapies across various disease areas.
• Leading a team of scientists dedicated to designing and synthesizing new nucleotide building blocks, linkers, and backbones at small to medium scale.
• Intellectually contributing to and owning the success of assigned projects, exploring innovative siRNA chemistries in partnership with project teams to tackle key scientific questions.
• Leading siRNA drug discovery projects in collaboration with leaders from other functions.
• Reviewing and critically analyzing project data using state-of-the-art data analysis and digital tools to identify complex problems and develop scientific hypotheses.
• Driving innovation by establishing new projects, developing exploratory project portfolios, and evaluating new technologies in the RNA therapeutics space.
• Documenting and communicating results and findings to internal and external audiences, including patent filings and scientific publications.
• Supporting and developing team members by sharing expertise and hands-on experience across the work environment.
• Providing mentorship and coaching to scientists to enhance their impact on projects, regardless of their reporting line or group affiliation.

What You Will Bring to the Role

• A PhD degree with a focus on the synthesis and design of oligonucleotides.
• At least 8 years of experience in medicinal chemistry, particularly with oligonucleotides, demonstrating a strong track record of deliverables. Experience in solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis is a plus.
• A proven background in leading and developing teams.
• A mindset of curiosity and openness to diverse thinking, alongside a passion for personal and professional growth.
• Innovative and independent problem-solving skills.
• An interest in disruptive technologies and trends in science, such as data science and automation, and their application in drug discovery.
• Aptitude for working in a fast-paced, team-oriented matrix environment, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong influencing skills with the ability to present and discuss project strategies and challenges effectively.

Why Novartis

Our mission is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend lives. We strive to become the most valued and trusted medicines company globally, and our associates are the driving force behind this ambition. Become a part of our journey!

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Novartis is dedicated to creating an outstanding, inclusive work environment, with diverse teams that represent the patients and communities we serve.

Accessibility and Accommodation

Novartis is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals who need it due to a medical condition or disability. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact us at diversity.inclusion_ch@novartis.com and include the job requisition number in your message.

Application Process

To explore this exciting career opportunity, apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

Join the Novartis Network

If this role does not align with your experience or career aspirations but you want to stay updated on future opportunities, consider joining the Novartis Network here.

Benefits and Rewards

For detailed information on how we support your personal and professional growth, please refer to our benefits handbook here.

Conclusion

At Novartis, addressing the needs of patients and their families requires not only innovative science but also a community of dedicated individuals like you. Together, we can achieve breakthroughs that change lives. Ready to create a brighter future? Explore more about us here.