Principal Scientist II/Senior Principal Scientist, Modeling & Simulation (Dual Level Posting)

Novartis • Cambridge, MA

7d • $126,000 - $261,000 • Hybrid

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 3+ years of industry experience with progressively increasing levels of responsibility. Master’s degree with 5+ years of industry experience and demonstrated impact will be considered.
• 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.
• Proficiency in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD), quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP), and/or mechanistic physiologically based PK/PD (PBPK/PD) is required.
• 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

• Proficiency in pharmacometrics concepts (Population PK, exposure-response modeling) is preferred.
• Experience modeling in the neuroscience and/or cardiovascular disease areas is preferred but not strictly required.
• Experience with oligonucleotide therapeutics (siRNA, ASO, PMO, etc.) and/or related experience with antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) is strongly preferred.

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 to impact across projects and developing 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.

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

What This Job Offers

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