In Vivo Senior Scientist - Comparative Medicine

Job Description Summary

The Senior Scientist will join Research Collaborations (RC) within Comparative Medicine, In Vivo Science & Technology, providing scientific leadership and hands-on expertise to design, execute, analyze, and interpret complex in vivo studies across multiple therapeutic modalities.

The role will support the continued expansion of the xRNA/siRNA portfolio, development of a globally aligned PK/PD capability, and growth of specialized surgical model capabilities, including disease-relevant procedures, targeted tissue delivery, and advanced in vivo methodologies. The successful candidate will partner closely with Biomedical Research project teams to develop translational study strategies, generate decision-enabling efficacy, PK/PD, biodistribution, phenotyping, and mechanistic datasets, and support candidate progression from target validation through therapeutic development.

The position will also contribute to capability building, scientific innovation, standardization of global workflows, and operational excellence while ensuring the highest standards of scientific rigor, animal welfare, and compliance. Experience with advanced phenotyping platforms, surgical models, and emerging modalities such as siRNA/xRNA is highly desirable.

Job Description

Internal Job Title: Senior Scientist I / II, Comparative Medicine

Position Location: Onsite, Cambridge, MA

About the Role:

Research Collaborations (RC) is a functional unit within In Vivo Science & Technology (IST), part of the Comparative Medicine (CM) group within SciOps. RC focuses on developing and delivering cutting-edge in vivo science, animal models, and studies that support drug discovery and development. As a centralized scientific organization, RC comprises in vivo experts who develop and implement innovative technologies applicable across multiple Disease Areas (DAs) within Biomedical Research (BR). As a result, RC associates work closely with scientific project teams to address key biological questions by providing innovative in vivo solutions and well-designed studies that enable project progression and informed decision-making.

We are seeking a highly experienced and motivated Senior Scientist I or II with strong hands-on in vivo expertise and the ability to support and lead scientific studies and programs in partnership with cross-functional project teams across BR. The successful candidate will collaborate with RC and project teams to design, coordinate, execute, and interpret in vivo studies supporting target validation and therapeutic development for both small molecules and biologics, including antibodies and xRNA-based modalities. Areas of focus may include PK/PD and efficacy studies, advanced phenotyping, surgical models, and complex tissue-specific pharmacology.

This role requires exceptional in vivo technical expertise combined with scientific leadership, a commitment to experimental rigor, operational excellence, and strong stakeholder collaboration. The successful candidate will contribute to a diverse portfolio of in vivo projects across multiple disease areas and therapeutic modalities, including emerging platforms such as siRNA. Experience in advanced phenotyping, surgical models, or novel in vivo technologies is highly desirable.

Your Key Responsibilities:

Scientific Partnership and Study Leadership

• Partner with project teams to define scientific questions, study objectives, and decision criteria that support drug discovery and development.
• Lead the design, execution, analysis, and interpretation of complex in vivo research programs.
• Evaluate study strategies, models, endpoints, and experimental approaches to ensure scientific rigor and translational relevance.
• Integrate diverse data streams into clear recommendations and communicate scientific findings to multidisciplinary stakeholders.
• Build collaborative partnerships across Biomedical Research, Comparative Medicine, and specialist functions.

In Vivo and Translational Science

• Independently design, perform, and oversee complex in vivo studies using the highest ethical, technical, and scientific standards.
• Develop, characterize, and apply disease-relevant models to address key biological and translational questions.
• Generate, analyze, and interpret efficacy, mechanistic, translational, and PK/PD datasets to support project decision-making.
• Integrate biomarker, pathology, imaging, phenotyping, and tissue-based endpoints into comprehensive scientific assessments.
• Apply expertise in advanced in vivo methodologies, including phenotyping platforms and surgical models where applicable, to support project delivery and capability development.

Data Analytics, Innovation, and Operational Excellence

• Apply statistical and computational approaches to analyze complex datasets and generate actionable scientific insights.
• Develop and implement innovative technologies, digital workflows, and data solutions that enhance scientific quality, reproducibility, and operational efficiency.
• Provide scientific mentorship and matrix leadership while contributing to capability development and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support resource planning and delivery of a diverse portfolio of studies across multiple disease areas and therapeutic modalities.
• Champion scientific integrity, animal welfare, compliance, data quality, and adherence to 3Rs principles.

Role Requirements:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacology, Physiology, Comparative Medicine, Life Sciences, or a related discipline. We will also consider recent PhD graduates (within last 3 years).
• 5+ years of relevant experience in laboratory animal research, in vivo pharmacology, translational research, or drug discovery, with a proven ability to design, execute, and deliver complex in vivo studies and research programs.

Required Qualifications:

• Extensive experience designing, executing, analyzing, and interpreting in vivo pharmacology studies within a drug discovery or translational research environment.
• Strong expertise in efficacy, mechanism-of-action, translational pharmacology, PK/PD research, and disease-relevant model development.
• Proficiency with data analysis and visualization tools, including R, Python, or comparable analytical platforms.
• Experience applying data-driven approaches, digital workflows, or computational tools to support scientific decision-making and operational efficiency.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex scientific data into clear conclusions, recommendations, and stakeholder communications.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with a proven ability to work effectively in a matrixed research environment while maintaining high standards of scientific rigor, animal welfare, and compliance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with phenotyping platforms, longitudinal physiological assessment, surgical models (EEG, IC/ICVC (Intracranial injection/Ventricular Cannulation implant), Tissue targeted delivery), or specialized in vivo procedures.
• Experience supporting siRNA, oligonucleotide, gene-targeting, or other emerging therapeutic modalities.
• Experience utilizing advanced imaging approaches to support translational and mechanistic research.
• Experience working across multiple therapeutic areas and multidisciplinary research programs.
• Demonstrated ability to provide scientific mentorship and influence through matrix leadership.

Schedule and Physical Requirements:

• This is a full-time onsite position based in Cambridge, MA.
• The role typically follows a Monday through Friday schedule but requires flexibility to support study execution and project needs.
• Weekend on-call responsibilities, non-standard dosing schedules, and Biomedical Research holiday coverage may be required.
• The position involves regular work in laboratory and vivarium environments and requires the ability to lift up to 50 lbs., stand for extended periods, and perform repetitive-motion tasks.

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary for this position is expected to range between $98,700 and $183,300 per year for Senior Scientist I, and $103,600 and $192,400 for Senior Scientist II. 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.

To learn more about the culture, rewards and benefits we offer our people click here.

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 [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.

Salary Range

$98,700.00 - $183,300.00

Skills Desired

Analytical Thinking, Animal Models, Animal Testing, Animal Welfare, Chemistry, Clinical Research, Clinical Trials, Collaboration, Computer Systems, Curious Mindset, Data Analysis, Decision Making, Detail-Oriented, Medical Research, Patient Care, Pharmacology