Principal Scientist

6000 This is the number of associates in the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR). This division is the innovation engine of Novartis, focusing on new technologies that have the potential to help produce therapeutic breakthroughs for patients.
- The Disease Area x (DAx) department is accommodated within NIBR and is a group of about 145 scientists that work in close collaboration with colleagues from Novartis Research and Development on several therapeutic areas with high unmet need, including kidney disease. Using a diverse array of approaches and cutting-edge technology, DAx aims to develop drugs that improve the lives of individuals suffering from chronic kidney diseases for which there is currently no cure.
- Impact of this position
- We are seeking an innovative, independent and dynamic renal research scientist with broad expertise in molecular and cellular biology to join a discovery biology team focused on developing innovative therapeutic agents in the area of polycystic kidney disease (PKD).
- Your responsibilities will include, but not limited to:
- Contribute to the NIBR drug discovery process with the goal to discover and develop novel therapeutic treatment options for patients with PKD.
- Lead early drug projects in the renal disease space, propose and champion new targets and novel approaches for disease treatment. Act as a leader of a team tasked with the triage and validation of new biology knowledge harnessed from genome wide and pharmacological screens in complex 3D human model systems.
- Design and execute in vitro and in vivo experimental research plans to evaluate targets modulating renal cyst expansion, inflammation and fibrosis.
- Develop assays and implement new technologies to enable the delivery of high quality data-driven package and enable project decisions a/o portfolio transitions. Record and interpret experimental data, and present results to project team members.
- Collaborate with other scientists in a global matrixed dynamic environment fostering innovation and advance project activities. Develop and maintain external relationships/contacts.

**Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion**:

- Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve._

**Minimum requirements**
- What you will bring to the role:
- A PhD and/or MD degree with postdoctoral experience and a minimum of three years of research in renal biology and physiology, preferably in the pharmaceutical / biotechnology industry or academia.
- In-depth knowledge of (patho-)physiology of PKD, including direct experience with PKD mechanisms and complex in vitro renal cell-based platforms recapitulating human cystic phenotype and in vivo models of disease progression.
- Extensive “hands-on” experience and proven track-record in the use of a wide range of cellular, biochemical and genome editing methods and technologies to unravel complex cellular signaling pathways
- Familiarity with “state of the art” computational and analytical approaches and be comfortable with analyzing large scale datasets
- A track record of leading drug discovery projects and working alongside disease areas specialists to bring mechanistic target biology and target validation understanding for renal diseases.
- Strong communication skills with an ability to effectively interact with people in a dynamic matrix environment, both internally and externally
- A proven scientific impact on innovation through a solid publication track record and strong external scientific network with academic experts.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills (in English) are essential

Why consider Novartis?
- 769 million lives were touched by Novartis medicines in 2020, and while we are proud of this, we know there is so much more we could do to help improve and extend people’s lives.
- We believe new insights, perspectives and ground-breaking solutions can be found at the intersection of medical science and digital innovation. That a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment inspires new ways of working.
- We believe our potential can thrive and grow in an unbossed culture underpinned by integrity, curiosity and flexibility. And we can reinvent what is possible, when we collaborate with courage to aggressively and ambitiously tackle the world’s toughest medical challenges. Because the greatest risk in life, is the risk of never trying
- Imagine what you could do here at Novartis**Division**
- NIBR

**Business Unit**
- DAX - NIBR

**Country**
- Switzerland

**Work Location**
- Basel

**Company/Legal Entity**
- Novartis Pharma AG

**Functional Area**
- Research & Development

**Job Type**
- Full Time

**Employment Type**
- Regular

**Shift Work**
- No

**Early Talent**
- No