Senior Principal Scientist/Principal Scientist, Immune Engagers
Novartis
Summary
At Novartis Oncology Immune Therapeutics we discover and advance immune therapies that harness immune cells against cancer. We are seeking a highly collaborative scientist to lead biology and drug-discovery efforts for novel immune cell engagers and multispecific immune modulators. The successful candidate will combine cancer-immunology expertise, rigorous decision making and cross-functional leadership to advance programs from target validation toward clinical development and contribute to broader immune-engager strategy.
Job description
Key responsibilities
- Identify and validate tumor-targeting strategies for immune cell engagers and/or multispecific immune modulators.
- Lead biology strategy and execution for multidisciplinary drug-discovery programs, defining goals, critical experiments, decision criteria and differentiated product profiles.
- Serve as project team leader and/or biology lead, integrating antibody engineering, disease biology, translational, pharmacology, safety, biomarker, data science and clinical perspectives.
- Design and interpret mechanistic studies of immune cell activation, anti-tumor activity, target biology, selectivity, resistance and safety-relevant biology.
- Present evidence-based recommendations, risks and development plans at governance reviews.
- Supervise and develop scientists while building productive internal and external collaborations.
- Contribute to immune-engager strategy, target and indication prioritization, and next-generation modality innovation.
Minimum requirements
- PhD in cancer biology, immunology or a related discipline with 5+ years of relevant research and/or industry experience; or MS with 10+ years of relevant industry experience.
- Strong expertise in cancer biology and/or immunology (especially T cell and/or myeloid cell biology).
- Expertise in tumor immunology, especially T cell mediated anti-tumor activity, tumor-associated myeloid cell biology and immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment (TME).
- Proficient in immune-cell functional assays and complex immunophenotyping analysis, including integrated in vitro and ex vivo assays as well as multiparameter flow cytometry.
- Experience in antibody, multispecific biologic and/or immune-engager discovery within cross-functional teams.
- Ability to formulate hypotheses, design rigorous experiments, interpret complex data and translate findings into project decisions, evidenced by a strong track record of research publications.
- Excellent communication, presentation, analytical and collaboration skills.
Highly desirable, especially for Senior Principal Scientist
- Strong track record in T-cell engager or myeloid cell-engager discovery, with leadership from target validation through IND-enabling or early clinical activities.
- Demonstrated success as a project team leader, aligning multidisciplinary stakeholders and driving decisions through scientific and organizational complexity.
- End-to-end program perspective connecting indication biology, modality design, translational strategy, differentiation and development path.
- Innovation in next-generation immune engagers or multispecific concepts, such as dual-targeting, logic-gated or TME-dependent approaches, and associated discovery workflows.
- Experience in mentoring junior project leaders and a broader scientific reputation demonstrated through publications, patents, presentations or collaborations.
Requirements
- PhD in cancer biology, immunology or a related discipline with 5+ years of relevant research and/or industry experience; or MS with 10+ years of relevant industry experience
- Strong expertise in cancer biology and/or immunology (especially T cell and/or myeloid cell biology)
- Expertise in tumor immunology, especially T cell mediated anti-tumor activity, tumor-associated myeloid cell biology and immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment (TME)
- Proficient in immune-cell functional assays and complex immunophenotyping analysis, including integrated in vitro and ex vivo assays as well as multiparameter flow cytometry
- Experience in antibody, multispecific biologic and/or immune-engager discovery within cross-functional teams
- Ability to formulate hypotheses, design rigorous experiments, interpret complex data and translate findings into project decisions, evidenced by a strong track record of research publications
- Excellent communication, presentation, analytical and collaboration skills
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Disability benefits
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off
- Vacation
- Personal days
- Holidays
- Performance-based cash incentive
- Annual equity awards
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.