Senior Scientist I

Job Description Summary

In this essential role, we seek a creative and collaborative scientist to contribute to developing innovative medicines for patients suffering from neurological disorders. The Synaptic & Cellular Neurobiology Unit in the Neuroscience (NS) research department at Novartis Biomedical Research (BR) is looking for a Senior Scientist responsible for designing, executing, and delivering preclinical research results spanning both in vitro cellular models and in vivo animal models of disease, while working in a matrixed and collaborative environment. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

 

Job Description

This role is being recruited for at either the Senior Scientist I (SS1) or Senior Scientist II (SS2) level, depending on the applicant’s profile & level of experience.

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Location: Cambridge, MA

Internal job title: Senior Scientist I or Senior Scientist II

Key Responsibilities:

• Planning, conducting, and analyzing experiments to address key scientific questions. Use a variety of in vitro & in vivo model systems and techniques, in collaboration with other scientists in the Unit and across NS/BR, to generate decision-making datasets that advance drug discovery programs.
• Implementation and optimization of in vitro laboratory techniques (e.g., mouse & human neuronal cell culture, immunocytochemistry, fluorescence imaging, image analysis, biochemistry) while applying creative solutions to overcoming experimental challenges
• Conducting and analyzing experiments using a variety of in vivo rodent models and study paradigms (e.g., dosing, tissue collection, ex vivo analysis)
• Implementing techniques for surgical (e.g., intracranial & intracerebroventricular injections) and other routes of delivery (e.g., intravenous retro-orbital & tail vein) of drug candidates to mouse & rat CNS
• Analyze, summarize, and clearly present data to facilitate decision-making while keeping electronic laboratory notebook records up to date

Essential Requirements:

• B.S. degree in neuroscience, cell biology, or a related field
• At the SS1 level, at least 4 years of relevant laboratory-based neuroscience research experience. At the SS2 level, at least 7 years of experience.
• Substantial experience with in vitro models (e.g., rodent primary neuronal culture) in neuroscience and running cell-based assays
• Proficiency with implementation and optimization of immunocytochemistry (e.g., antibody labeling, fluorescence microscopy, and at least intermediate-level image, data, & statistical analysis experience) and RNA (e.g., RT-qPCR) & protein expression (e.g., Western, JESS, ELISA, and/or MSD) -based readouts
• Proficiency with rodent in vivo experimentation, including stereotaxic brain surgery, central (e.g., adult intracranial injections) & peripheral (e.g., IV, RO, IP) dosing, and advanced necropsy techniques (e.g., brain/spinal cord microdissection & extraction, CSF collection)
• At the SS2 level, ability and willingness to propose novel experiments and directions to refine preclinical flowcharts & advance project strategy. Emerging scientific leader.
• A self-motivated and proactive attitude, with the ability & desire to multi-task; can plan ahead and follow through with completion of multiple, multi-part tasks over a range of timeframes to meet deadlines
• Ability to work independently as well as in a matrixed setting; team-oriented & collaborative mindset

Preferred Qualifications:

• M.S. degree or equivalent in neuroscience, cell biology, or a related field
• At least half of the experience has been in an industrial setting
• Experience with embryonic rodent brain dissection and neuronal dissociation

Role will be hired at either Senior Scientist I or Scientist II depending on experience/skills of candidate.

The salary for Senior Scientist I position is expected to range between $85,000 and $158,000 per year.

The salary for Senior Scientist II position is expected to range between $93,000 and $174,000.

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

 

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 and 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 us.reasonableaccommodations@novartis.com 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.

 

Salary Range

$85,400.00 - $158,600.00

 

Skills Desired

Analytical Skill, Analytical Skill, Analytical Thinking, Anesthesiology, Animal Models, Animal Testing, Animal Welfare, Chemistry, Clinical Pharmacology Skills, Clinical Research, Clinical Trials, Communication, Computer Systems, Curiosity, Data, Data Analysis, Decision Making, Design of Experiments (DOE), Detail-Oriented, DNA Extractions, Drug Discovery Process, Group Problem Solving, Laboratory Instrumentation, Leading Project Teams, Life Science {+ 9 more}