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

Novartis • San Diego, CA

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Novartis is a leader in neuroscience 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 teams to shape and lead optimization strategies and advance programs from candidate selection to first-in-human studies. As part of a truly translational modeling team, you will work closely with clinical pharmacology and pharmacometrics groups to support clinical programs, applying quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) approaches to inform key decisions spanning early dose optimization through life-cycle management. This role reports to a Modeling and Simulation(M&S) team lead and is situated within Avidity Therapeutics, a Novartis company.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in biology, bioengineering, pharmaceutical sciences, biophysics, or a related field. Master’s degree with 5+ years of industry experience and demonstrated impact (e.g., publications) 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, data visualization, and foundational data science concepts.
• 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 disease area is preferred but not strictly required.
• Experience with oligonucleotide therapeutics (siRNA, ASO, PMO, etc.), antibodies, and/or 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.
• Engage in strategic initiatives within M&S, such as developing translational modeling strategies for new platforms and modeling workflows that extend across multiple projects or coordinating modeling activities for a disease area.
• 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
• performance-based cash incentive
• eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees