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Innovation Postdoctoral Fellow Oncology Drug Discovery

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.

Posted Friday, July 11, 2025

Posting ID: REQ-10056434

LaJolla/SD,
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Summary
About the role
We are thrilled to seek applications for our Innovation Fellowship track of the Novartis Postdoctoral Fellowship Program.
This applied research program is designed to change the way we approach drug discovery. As a fellow, you will learn to apply your skills to make a difference for patients and reimagine medicine at Novartis. Drug hunting is a team sport, and you will gain experience in drug discovery as part of a multi-disciplinary team in Biomedical Research. Seize this chance to be at the forefront of the future of drug discovery!
As part of the Innovation Fellowship track of the Novartis Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, you will join our vibrant, dedicated postdoctoral community for events, including the monthly postdoc seminars and other scheduled events for postdocs. Fellows are surrounded by a supportive, collaborative community of postdocs and scientists, who would contribute to the acceleration of your scientific growth, along with building your professional skillset, e.g. you will have the opportunity to do a Postdoc Practicum in another laboratory or in a business function of Novartis.

This applied research program has a duration of 3 years.

As an innovative Postdoctoral Fellow, you will be joining a team of seasoned drug hunters and contributing to the group's expertise in induced-proximity to develop the next generation of cancer therapeutics. You will take the reins of the science to define and execute an approach that aims at enhancing selective drug exposure in tumor cells to increase tumor killing while minimizing toxicity. By identifying key scientific questions, implementing in vitro studies, and collaborating with chemistry and pharmacology colleagues, you will impact the broader oncology community, contributing to the development of transformational medicines that address limitations of current therapies.
Through the Novartis Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, you will build your competency as a drug hunter, and as a scientific leader in the field. You will join a professional network that will support your growth as a research scientist, and you will have the opportunity to tackle disease and make an impact, by reimagining medicine together.
Internal Job Title: Innovation Postdoctoral Fellow
Position Location: San Diego, CA onsite #LI Onsite

Start date: September 2025

About the Role

Key responsibilities

As an Innovation Postdoctoral Fellow, you will:
  • Work independently as well as with interdisciplinary teams
  • Identify and dive deep into key scientific questions that drive decision-making. Design and execute high-impact studies to propel the project forward
  • Articulate the research to project team members, the Oncology leadership team and enable effective decision-making
  • Proactively seek and leverage collaboration opportunities to maximize efficiency and help shaping science and culture of the group
  • Publish or present the final research results at the oncology governance board meeting (whichever is applicable)
Role requirements:
  • PhD in cancer biology, cell biology, immuno-oncology, biology, biochemistry, pharmacology or closely related disciplines
  • Note that PhD students in the last year of their thesis work are eligible to apply. Applicants are only eligible to apply up to 2 years from the date of receiving their PhD (i.e. PhD degrees must have been awarded May 2023 or later).
  • Experience and knowledge in biochemical and molecular assays (western blot, RT-PCR, CRISPR, ELISA), cellular assays (cell proliferation and viability measurements, cell line engineering, flow-cytometry, confocal imaging) are required. Familiarity with commonly used oncology public databases and experience with large-scale data-mining or bioinformatic analysis is a plus.
  • Basic understanding of protein-protein interaction and PK/PD/efficacy relationship is preferred.
  • Strong publication record or other scientific achievements (i.e. awards, patents, grants)
  • Excellent analytical, communication, presentation and organizational skills
  • Passion for fundamental exploratory research and boundless curiosity
How to apply

Please submit your CV and cover letter by August 1, 2025 , for consideration. Please make sure to discuss in the cover letter how this training program will help you fulfill your career goals.

The starting salary for this position is $87,000 per year.

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. #PDX

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

Join our Novartis Network: Not the right Novartis role for you? Sign up to our talent community to stay connected and learn about suitable career opportunities as soon as they come up: https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network

Benefits and Rewards: Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we'll help you thrive personally and professionally: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards

EEO Statement:

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

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.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
On-Site
Communication
Oncology
Leadership
Presentations
Governance
Innovation
Research
Decision Making
Chemistry
Biochemistry
Cancer Biology
Biochemical Assays
Biology
Pharmacodynamics
Pharmacokinetics
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Drug Discovery
Data Mining
Professional Networking
Cell Cultures
Flow Cytometry
Cell Biology
Applied Research
Medical Research
Postdoctoral Research
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent (ELISA) Assay
Pharmacology
Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy
Western Blot
Molecular Assays
Protein-Protein Interactions
Cell Growth

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