Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow in Neuroscience

Novartis • Cambridge, MA

4d • $57,800 - $107,300 • Onsite

About The Position

We are excited to invite applications for the Novartis Biomedical Research Postdoctoral Fellowship Program; a unique training opportunity designed for exceptional early career scientists eager to tackle fundamental challenges in neurodegenerative disease and drug discovery. As a Discovery Postdoctoral Research Fellow, you will join the Neuroscience Disease Area in Cambridge and pursue an innovative research program investigating mechanisms of TDP 43–driven neurodegeneration. You will work alongside leading scientists in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment while contributing to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Please note that relocation support is not available for this position. The start date for the 2026 Novartis BR Postdoctoral Fellowship Program cohort is October 1, 2026. Please confirm your availability to meet this date in your cover letter. This project maps early neuronal TDP-43 interaction networks influenced by disease-associated glial environments in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Alzheimer’s disease to identify shared, druggable targets across neurodegeneration. The Fellow will leverage human iPSC‑derived neuron–glia systems, proteomics, transcriptomics, and multi‑omics integration to uncover mechanisms of neuronal vulnerability and disease progression. The Novartis Biomedical Research Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is designed to develop the next generation of scientific leaders and power the future of medicine through rigorous research, and immersive learning experiences, including the implementation of AI tools in biomedical research. Postdoctoral Research Fellows benefit from: Guidance from accomplished scientific leaders and subject matter experts Access to advanced technologies, platforms, and research capabilities Collaboration across disciplines and organizational boundaries A global and diverse community of postdoctoral fellows Dedicated programming is designed to help fellows thrive throughout their careers. Personalized experiential learning opportunities through a Postdoc Practicum that empower fellows to explore new scientific domains, build cross-functional expertise, and expand their impact beyond their primary research project. Opportunities to present research, publish in leading journals, and build an international scientific network We are entering a new era of biomedical research breakthroughs through the convergence of biology, technology, and artificial intelligence tools, and fellows are also supported in engaging with these emerging approaches. This is a full-time training position of up to three years in duration. At Novartis, our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. Through this program, you will grow as a scientist and contribute to discoveries that may ultimately benefit patients worldwide.

Requirements

• PhD (or equivalent) in neuroscience, biology, or related discipline (completed prior to fellowship start date)
• The program is intended for scientists immediately following their PhD training (PhD conferred in 2026 only)
• Demonstrated record of scientific achievement (publications, presentations, patents, or equivalent)
• Strong expertise in neurobiology, molecular and cell biology, or biochemistry
• Strong commitment to learning, innovation, and professional development
• Experience with human iPSC‑derived neuronal or glial models
• Experience in confocal microscopy and high-content imaging and analysis
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex proteomics datasets

Nice To Haves

• Expertise in TDP-43 or apolipoprotein E biology and mechanisms of neurodegeneration
• Experience with protein interactome mapping (Halo µMapping) or chemo-proteomics

Responsibilities

• Design and execute an independent, hypothesis‑driven research program
• Develop and apply human iPSC‑based neuron and glial models
• Utilize genomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics approaches
• Analyze and integrate multi‑omics datasets
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams across research units
• Communicate findings through presentations and peer‑reviewed publications

Benefits

• health
• life and disability benefits
• a 401(k) with company contribution and match
• vacation
• personal days
• holidays and other leaves

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree