Principal Scientist - Neuroscience (Rare Diseases)

Job Description

1 in 15 people worldwide could be affected by a rare disease: that’s more than 400 million people all over the world! Join Novartis and make a difference.

As a new Principal Scientist in the Rare Diseases Unit of the Neuroscience (NS) department at the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, you will have an opportunity to develop innovative medicines that can improve the lives and health of patients suffering from rare genetic diseases. We are looking for an experienced in vitro research associate to assume a hands-on role in a team responsible for neurobiology research focused on rare neurodevelopmental & neurodegenerative diseases using gene therapy & other approaches.

Your responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Conceiving, conducting, and analyzing experiments using a variety of in vitro model systems (e.g., mouse & human neurons, cell lines) and techniques in collaboration with other scientists in the Unit and across NS/NIBR
• Optimization and implementation of in vitro laboratory techniques (e.g., neuronal cell culture, immunocytochemistry, fluorescence imaging, image analysis, biochemistry, AAV gene therapy) to generate data for project teams
• Presenting data & interpretations to internal audiences and archiving results in electronic laboratory notebook

Accessibility and Reasonable Accommodations: Individuals in need of a reasonable accommodation due to a medical condition or disability for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call +1 (877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Diversity & Inclusion / EEO

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers and take pride in maintaining a diverse environment. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We are committed to building diverse teams, representative of the patients and communities we serve, and we strive to create an inclusive workplace that cultivates bold innovation through collaboration and empowers our people to unleash their full potential.

Minimum Requirements

What You'll Bring to the Role:
• PhD in neuroscience, cell biology, or a related discipline
• Three years of laboratory-based industrial or academic experience
• Proficiency with assay development and implementation in at least two of the following domains: nucleic acids (e.g., RT-qPCR), biochemistry (e.g., Western blotting, ELISA, MSD), immunocytochemistry (e.g., antibody labeling, fluorescence microscopy, image analysis), electrophysiology (e.g., multi-electrode array recordings of cultured neurons)
• Excellent problem solving, organizational, and experimental management skills
• Ability to recognize and troubleshoot experimental & data anomalies to maintain high data quality
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; can clearly communicate challenges and resource/support requests to assist with work

Desired Qualifications:
• Experience with mouse E18 cortex dissection and neuronal dissociation
• Experience with high-throughput electrophysiology platforms (e.g., FDSS)

Why Consider Novartis?
We believe the answers are found when curious, courageous and collaborative people like you are brought together in an inspiring environment. Where you are given opportunities to explore the power of digital and data. Where you are empowered to risk failure by taking smart risks, and where people who share your determination to tackle the world’s toughest medical challenges surround you.
We are Novartis. Join us and help us reimagine medicine!

Vaccine Policy: While Novartis does not require vaccination at this time, for certain Novartis sites in the US all associates and candidates may be required to either upload an image of their COVID-19 vaccine card demonstrating proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 (or other similar evidence of vaccination) or proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken by the associate or candidate within the past seven days to enter any of our sites and/or customer office or healthcare facility, as well as prior to participating in other work related off-site meetings. Employees working in customer-facing roles must adhere to and comply with customers’ (such as hospitals, physician offices, etc.) credentialing guidelines, which may require vaccination.

As required by applicable law, Novartis will consider requests for reasonable accommodation for those unable to be vaccinated. This requirement is subject to applicable state and local laws and may not be applicable to employees working in certain jurisdictions. Please send accommodation requests to [email protected] .

Join our Novartis Network: If this role is not suitable to your experience or career goals but you wish to stay connected to hear more about Novartis and our career opportunities, join the Novartis Network here: https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $102,000 and $153,000 per year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a sign-on bonus, restricted stock units, and discretionary awards in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.