Research Investigator, Drug Discovery - Polycystic Kidney Diseases

Company: Novartis Farmac--utica
Location: Cambridge
Posted on: March 19, 2023

Job Description:

6000! This is the number of associates in the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR). This division is the innovation engine of Novartis, focusing on new technologies that have the potential to help produce therapeutic breakthroughs for patients.

The Disease Area x (DAx) department is accommodated within NIBR and is a group of about 145 scientists that work in close collaboration with colleagues from Novartis Research and Development on several therapeutic areas with high unmet need, including kidney disease. Using a diverse array of approaches and cutting-edge technology, DAx aims to develop drugs that improve the lives of individuals suffering from chronic kidney diseases for which there is currently no cure.

Impact of this position
We are seeking an innovative, independent and dynamic renal research scientist with broad expertise in molecular and cellular biology to join a discovery biology team focused on developing innovative therapeutic agents in the area of polycystic kidney disease (PKD).

Your key responsibilities
Your responsibilities will include, but not limited to:

--- Contribute to the NIBR drug discovery process with the goal to discover and develop novel therapeutic treatment options for patients with PKD.
--- Conduct impactful research in the area of PKD and provide scientific leadership and innovation by acting as subject matter expert on genetic cystic kidney diseases.
--- Lead early drug projects in the renal disease space, propose and champion new targets and novel approaches for disease treatment. Act as a leader of a team tasked with the triage and validation of new biology knowledge harnessed from genome wide and pharmacological screens in complex 3D human model systems.
--- Design and execute in vitro and in vivo experimental research plans to evaluate targets modulating renal cyst expansion, inflammation and fibrosis.
--- Develop assays and implement new technologies to enable the delivery of high quality data-driven package and enable project decisions a/o portfolio transitions. Record and interpret experimental data, and present results to project team members.
--- Engage in interdisciplinary research requiring the application of specialized scientific knowledge and advanced laboratory techniques, in particular engineered complex cellular models and their use with chemical biology and gene editing approaches.
--- Collaborate with other scientists in a global matrixed dynamic environment fostering innovation and advance project activities. Develop and maintain external relationships/contacts.
--- Deliver impact to projects by identifying technical trends, both internal and external to your discipline.

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $118,400.00 and $177,600.00 per year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. 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 will bring to the role:

--- A PhD and/or MD degree with postdoctoral experience and a minimum of three years of research in renal biology and physiology, preferably in the pharmaceutical / biotechnology industry or academia.
--- In-depth knowledge of (patho-)physiology of PKD, including direct experience with PKD mechanisms and complex in vitro renal cell-based platforms recapitulating human cystic phenotype and in vivo models of disease progression.
--- Extensive "hands-on" experience and proven track-record in the use of a wide range of cellular, biochemical and genome editing methods and technologies to unravel complex cellular signaling pathways
--- Familiarity with "state of the art" computational and analytical approaches and be comfortable with analyzing large scale datasets
--- A track record of leading drug discovery projects and working alongside disease areas specialists to bring mechanistic target biology and target validation understanding for renal diseases.
--- Strong communication skills with an ability to effectively interact with people in a dynamic matrix environment, both internally and externally
--- A proven scientific impact on innovation through a solid publication track record and strong external scientific network with academic experts.
--- Excellent oral and written communication skills (in English) are essential

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 teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Accessibility and Reasonable Accommodations: Individuals in need of a reasonable accommodation due to a medical condition or disability for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to tas.nacomms@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.

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

Keywords: Novartis Farmac--utica, Cambridge , Research Investigator, Drug Discovery - Polycystic Kidney Diseases, Other , Cambridge, Massachusetts