Senior Scientist I / II – Translational Experimental Cancer Biology (OTR) | USA

Job Description

Location: Cambridge, USA

Relocation Support: This role is based in Cambridge, USA. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support: please only apply if accessible.

Drive the mechanistic understanding of how cancer therapies succeed—and fail—at the cellular level. Within Oncology Translational Research, you will interrogate therapeutic response and resistance in breast cancer using advanced molecular and cellular biology approaches, including engineered human cell line systems and functional assays. Working at the interface of discovery and early clinical development, you will generate high-resolution insights into intrinsic and acquired resistance pathways, enabling patient stratification strategies and informing the design of next-generation therapies with improved efficacy, durability, and safety.

About The Role Key Responsibilities

• Key responsibilities:
• Lead mechanism‑of‑action studies using advanced cell biology and molecular biology approaches to interrogate therapeutic response and resistance.
• Design, develop, and execute in vitro assays to elucidate key aspects of breast cancer biology, including resistance mechanisms to emerging therapies.
• Design and engineer human cell line models to enable functional screening and deep mechanistic interrogation of resistance pathways.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, design, execute, analyze, document experiments, and communicate results in team settings.
• Stay current with scientific literature and advancements.

Essential Requirements

• This is a dual posting. The final level of the offered role will be determined by the hiring team based on the skills, experience, and capabilities required to perform the role at the offered level.
  • Senior Scientist I: Bachelor’s degree in cell and molecular biology or a related discipline with at least 5 years of relevant work experience; or Master’s degree in cancer biology or a related discipline with a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience.
  • Senior Scientist II: Bachelor’s degree in biology or a related discipline with at least 7 years of relevant work experience; or Master’s degree in cancer biology or a related discipline with a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience.
• Strong expertise in cell biology and multiple advanced molecular biology assays, preferably but not limited to studying clonal dynamics using barcoding technologies.
• Robust experience studying resistance to small molecule therapies using molecular biology techniques.
• Deep understanding of hormone-driven cancer cell biology (e.g. breast or prostate cancer).
• Positive attitude, agility mindset, scientific curiosity, dedication, and excellent problem-solving skills
• Enthusiasm for scientific collaboration and working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Desirable Qualifications:
• Proficiency with data mining and computational skills.
• Experience with single cell RNAseq and/or spatial transcriptomics.

Novartis Compensation And Benefit Summary The salary for this position is expected to range between $98,700.00 – 183,300.00 USD Annual per year.

The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and

experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published

salary range based on company and market factors.

Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the

role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.

US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and

disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In

addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days,

holidays and other leaves.

Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture Benefits and Rewards: Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally.

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Accessibility & Reasonable Accommodations The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation 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.