Novartis Pharma AG - May 16, 2025

Job ID

REQ-10043483

Date: May 13, 2025

Location: Basel, Switzerland

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

Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and curious lab-based Senior Scientist I whose primary focus will be on siRNA discovery within the xRNA Team in Biomedical Research at our Basel location. Our team is dedicated to developing next-generation xRNA therapeutics in a collaborative and innovation-driven environment, with the goal of transforming the lives of millions of patients facing unmet medical needs. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in biology research, particularly in RNA biology, and will have extensive experience in medium- to high-throughput screening using automation, cell culture techniques, assay development, and technologies such as liquid handlers.

About the Role

Key Responsibilities:

Design, plan, and conduct routine siRNA screening in cell-based transfection assays using qPCR and reporter-based systems.
Develop and optimize novel assays for cell-based systems with a focus on improving throughput through automation.
Contribute to the design and development of automated workflows.
Operate automated liquid handling robotics platforms.
Collaborate in a matrix-oriented environment and present findings regularly at unit meetings.
Act as a point-of-contact within the team for day-to-day activities.
Document experiments in lab notebooks, conduct data analysis, and present findings to the team in a timely manner.

Role Requirements:

A higher degree in biology (Bachelor’s or Master’s), or relevant industry experience in biochemistry, cell biology, or a related scientific discipline.
A minimum of 5 years of research experience, preferably within a pharma and/or biotech lab environment.
Expertise in cell culture and expression read-outs (e.g., qPCR, Western Blot, ELISA).
Experience with liquid handlers and automation of cell-based assays.
Strong competence in MS Office applications, particularly Excel, and experience maintaining electronic Lab Notebooks.
Excellent multitasking, organizational, attention to detail, and verbal/written communication skills.
Ability to collaborate and thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

Desired Requirements:

Experience in primary cell culture.
Expertise in Spotfire and/or GraphPad PRISM.
Familiarity with BioMek or Opentrons liquid handlers.

Please note that restrictions on flexible working may apply and are discretionary, to be discussed during the interview if applicable.

Accessibility and Accommodation

Novartis is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If you require assistance during the recruitment process due to a medical condition or disability, please email inclusion.switzerland@novartis.com. Include your contact information and the nature of your request, as well as the job requisition number.

Why Novartis

At Novartis, we believe that helping those with diseases and their families entails more than just innovative science—it requires a community of smart, passionate individuals like you. Join us in collaborating, supporting, and inspiring one another to achieve breakthroughs that change patients' lives. Ready to create a brighter future together?

Learn more about our culture here.

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Benefits and Rewards

For detailed information about the benefits and support we provide to our employees, please explore our handbook: Learn more.

Application Process

To express your interest in this role, please apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

Senior Scientist I - siRNA / Senior Scientistess I - siRNA