Principal Scientist II

Novartis • Cambridge, MA

7d • $119,700 - $222,300 • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated Principal Scientist to join our xDC team and help advance next-generation targeted therapeutic platforms. This role will contribute to the development and expansion of biologics and drug-conjugate infrastructure, with a focus on innovative vectorization strategies, biology-informed payload approaches, and differentiated conjugate designs. The ideal candidate will bring strong scientific judgment, hands-on technical expertise, and experience working in a collaborative, cross-functional environment. Industry experience in biologics, ADCs, targeted therapeutics, or related modalities is preferred.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, immunology, chemical biology, bioengineering, or a related discipline
• 3–5 years of relevant post-Ph.D. experience, preferably in an industry setting
• Experience with biologics, antibody-drug conjugates, targeted delivery platforms, protein therapeutics, or related modalities
• Strong understanding of disease biology, target selection, mechanism-of-action studies, and translational research principles
• Familiarity with biologics engineering, conjugation strategies, payload biology, or preclinical therapeutic development is preferred
• Demonstrated ability to design rigorous experiments, analyze complex data, and make data-driven recommendations
• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary research environment

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience in ADC, xDC, or other targeted therapeutic platforms
• Experience evaluating novel targets, payload mechanisms, or biology-driven therapeutic hypotheses
• Familiarity with in vitro and in vivo pharmacology workflows
• Experience working with external partners, CROs, academic collaborators, or technology vendors
• Track record of scientific contributions through publications, patents, presentations, or program advancement

Responsibilities

• Drive scientific activities supporting the discovery and optimization of next-generation xDC and biologics platforms
• Contribute to the design and evaluation of new vectorization approaches for targeted delivery
• Support the development of payload strategies aligned with disease biology and therapeutic mechanism of action
• Participate in the exploration of differentiated conjugate formats, including multi-payload or combination-based approaches
• Work closely with cross-functional teams across biology, chemistry, protein engineering, pharmacology, translational sciences, and CMC
• Design, execute, and interpret experiments to guide platform and program decisions.
• Identify emerging scientific opportunities and help translate them into actionable research strategies
• Communicate results clearly through presentations, reports, and scientific discussions
• Contribute to external collaborations and technology evaluation efforts as needed
• Maintain awareness of the competitive and scientific landscape in ADCs, biologics, and targeted therapeutic platforms

Benefits

• health, life and disability benefits
• a 401(k) with company contribution and match
• a variety of other benefits
• 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