Senior Scientist -Sickle Cell Disease; Hematology

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common genetic hematological disorder, accounting for over 305,000 births in 2010, with millions of people affected across the globe centralizing in low and middle income countries. The condition can cause extreme pain, life-threatening infections and other complications such as stroke or loss of vision. The disease can drastically impact the quality of life of inflicted individuals. While the standard of care is treatment of symptoms, we are pursuing gene therapy as a potential cure for sickle cell disease (SCD). As the innovation engine of Novartis, the Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research (NIBR) is collaborating with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to develop in vivo gene therapies for SCD.

Do you want to be part of a team that brings together NIBR drug discovery, innovation, and gene therapy expertise with funding support from the Gates foundation; focusing on early drug discovery projects that translate into medical revolution for Sickle Cell Disease? The Immuno-Oncology and Hematology (IOH) department at NIBR is looking for a highly motivated senior scientist\newly graduated PhD candidates to join a team developing innovative, transformative in vivo therapies for Sickle Cell Disease. IOH is a highly dynamic and collaborative research department that interfaces innovative biology, genetic engineering, viral and non-viral delivery platforms, and genome analysis for pre-clinical drug development and translational medicine.

Your key responsibilities:
Your responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• A crucial role in the development of novel therapeutic concepts and will contribute at all stages of a project, from inception, early project validation, optimization, candidate selection and through early clinical development of novel medicines for patients with sickle cell disease
• Culturing cell lines and establishing in vitro assays for hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells from human and mouse primary sources
• Independently designing, executing, and interpreting experiments
• Executing in vivo pharmacology studies according to IACUC and NIBR guidelines
• Coordinating and collaborating with other Novartis departments, external academic and business partners, and CROs to conduct research studies
• Maintaining detailed documentation of experiments in the NIBR electronic system

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $92,800 and $139,200 year; however, while salary ranges are effective from 1/1/23 through 12/31/23, fluctuations in the job market may necessitate adjustments to pay ranges during this period. Further, final pay determinations will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to geographical location, experience level, knowledge, skills and abilities. 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.

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:
• MS in a scientific discipline, such as cell or molecular biology, genetics, or pharmacology, with relevant years of experience in drug discovery or related lab research, or PhD with relevant research experience
• Experience in a laboratory focused on hematopoietic stem cells
• Accountability from experimental design, and execution, to data analysis
• Creative problem-solving skills; excellent analytical, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to perform mouse procedures and injections (SC, IP, IV, RO), monitor animal health biometrics, and harvest tissues is desirable
• Experience in mouse bleeding and bone marrow isolation procedures preferred
• Proficiency in cell and molecular biology, molecular cloning, sequence and protein analysis, real-time PCR, cell culturing, transfection and transduction methods
• Proficiency in multi-parameter flow cytometric and NGS analysis
• Deep understanding of gene editing tools and principles. Experience in gene editing is preferred.
• Experience in using gene delivery methods (viral and non-viral) is preferred
• Knowledge in stem cell biology, hematology, and immunology is preferred
• Enthusiasm to learn and work in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary, collaborative research environment

Why Novartis?

766 million lives were touched by Novartis medicines in 2021, and while we’re proud of this, we know there is so much more we could do to help improve and extend people’s lives.

We believe new insights, perspectives and ground-breaking solutions can be found at the intersection of medical science and digital innovation. That a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment inspires new ways of working.

We believe our potential can thrive and grow in an unbossed culture underpinned by integrity, curiosity and flexibility. And we can reinvent what's possible, when we collaborate with courage to aggressively and ambitiously tackle the world’s toughest medical challenges. Because the greatest risk in life, is the risk of never trying!

Imagine what you could do here at Novartis!

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:
Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse team’s representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Accessibility and reasonable accommodation
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 in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [email protected] 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.

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