Research Scientist II, Biochemistry
Novartis
Summary
Join the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease (CVM) research team at Novartis Biomedical Research in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where your work at the bench will advance our understanding of disease biology and help turn scientific insight into transformative medicines for patients.
Job description
As a laboratory-based in vitro Research Scientist in the CVM Biochemistry unit, you will contribute to target validation, assay development, and drug profiling across exploratory and pipeline projects. You will work with several classes of therapeutic molecules, including small molecules and biologics, and collaborate closely with colleagues across the broader research organization to move our projects forward.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan and execute biochemical and cell-based assays to support drug discovery.
- Perform in vitro experiments to support assay development, profiling of therapeutic leads, target validation, and mechanism-of-action studies.
- Apply core laboratory techniques, including cell culture, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, gene knockdown with small interfering RNA, immunofluorescence microscopy, and Western blotting.
- Analyze data and document experiments accurately in the electronic laboratory notebook.
- Present results at lab and department meetings.
- Assist in writing research documents and scientific publications.
Essential Requirements
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in biology, biochemistry, cell biology, or a related life science field (minimum Bachelor's degree and 4+ years of relevant post-graduate research experience).
- Strong attention to detail, with the ability to quickly learn new techniques.
- Knowledge of statistics and computational data analysis.
- Strong communication and creative problem-solving skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in a matrixed team environment.
- Exemplary laboratory practices and record-keeping skills.
- Flexibility and an aptitude for learning, with a passion for driving groundbreaking science.
Desirable Requirements
- Experience culturing, differentiating, and genetically engineering (via viral transduction) human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes.
- Research experience in cardiovascular or metabolic disease, such as heart failure, obesity, atrial fibrillation, or atherosclerosis.
Requirements
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in biology, biochemistry, cell biology, or a related life science field
- Minimum Bachelor's degree and 4+ years of relevant post-graduate research experience
- Strong attention to detail, with the ability to quickly learn new techniques
- Knowledge of statistics and computational data analysis
- Strong communication and creative problem-solving skills
- Ability to work collaboratively in a matrixed team environment
- Exemplary laboratory practices and record-keeping skills
- Flexibility and an aptitude for learning
Benefits
- Health benefits
- Life insurance
- Disability benefits
- 401(k) with company match
- Performance-based cash incentive
- Annual equity awards
- Vacation
- Personal days
- Holidays
Company overview
Novartis is a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, dedicated to reimagining medicine to improve and extend people's lives. As an innovative medicines company, Novartis focuses on developing high-value treatments that address society's greatest disease burdens through technology leadership in research and development. The company operates across five core therapeutic areas: cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases; immunology; neuroscience; oncology; and hematology. With a workforce of approximately 75,883 employees worldwide, Novartis reaches nearly 300 million patients across 118 countries. The company leverages advanced technology platforms including targeted protein degradation, cell therapy, gene therapy, radioligand therapy, and xRNA to develop breakthrough treatments. Novartis maintains a strong portfolio of oncology drugs and generics while continuously expanding its pipeline through strategic acquisitions and internal research. The company's commitment extends beyond drug development to ensuring global access to medical innovations through novel access approaches and patient assistance programs.