Associate Director, Translational Modeling & Simulation
About The Position
Novartis is a leader in neuroscience and cardiovascular disease areas with a robust and diverse pipeline of innovative therapies. We are seeking a translational modeler eager to accelerate oligonucleotide therapeutics (xRNA”), including antibody-xRNA conjugates, from discovery through clinical translation. In this role, you will partner with multi-disciplinary discovery and preclinical teams to develop and apply model-informed approaches that shape program strategies. As part of a truly translational modeling team, you will also work closely with clinical pharmacology and pharmacometrics groups to support clinical programs, applying quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) and mechanistic PBPK/PD approaches to inform key decisions from early dose optimization through life-cycle management. This role reports to a Modeling and Simulation (M&S) team lead within the Pharmacokinetic Sciences (PKS) M&S team.
Requirements
- Ph.D. in biology, bioengineering, pharmaceutical sciences, biophysics, or a related field and 7+ years of industry experience with progressively increasing levels of responsibility.
- Expert level proficiency in core modeling fundamentals is required, including scripting languages (e.g., MATLAB, R), construction of ordinary differential equation (ODE) models, parameter estimation, and data visualization.
- Expert level proficiency in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD), quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP), and/or mechanistic physiologically based PK/PD (PBPK/PD) is required.
- Proficiency in pharmacometrics concepts (Population PK, exposure-response modeling) is preferred.
- Prior experience with the integration of computational modeling and biological concepts is required.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate modeling results to a multidisciplinary audience for collaborative work and/or to facilitate strategy and decision-making.
- Fluent in English (oral and written).
Nice To Haves
- Role-specific experience in the highlighted disease areas (neuroscience, cardiovascular, metabolism) and drug modalities (oligonucleotides, ADCs) is preferred but not required.
Responsibilities
- Act as the M&S representative on several programs. Develop and execute modeling strategies, contribute to project team discussions, and guide model-informed decisions from therapeutic design to first-in-human dose selection and beyond.
- Build and apply mechanistic models (PK/PD, QSP, and PBPK/PD) that link drug pharmacology, tissue biodistribution, mechanism(s) of action, and downstream effects.
- Integrate modeling into the design and interpretation of preclinical in vivo and in vitro studies to support candidate selection, optimization, and advancement towards the clinic.
- Collaboratively develop platform disease (QSP) and PBPK/PD models that extend across multiple projects and phases of discovery & development.
- Engage in strategic initiatives within M&S, such as creating platform-level translational modeling strategies tofor new platformsthat impact across projects and developing new and modeling workflows (e.g., agentic AI).
- Proactively seek opportunities to increase the understanding and adoption of translational modeling among internal partners and expand the impact and visibility of modeling through external collaborations.
- A modeler at the Associate Director level will have additional mentorship and strategic responsibilities within M&S and will engage in wider platforms and initiatives across Novartis.
Benefits
- health, life and disability benefits
- a 401(k) with company contribution and match
- a variety of other benefits
- a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
