Principal Scientist I/II —CAR-T Lead

Novartis•Cambridge, MA

7d•$108,500 - $222,300•Onsite

About The Position

Novartis is seeking a motivated PhD scientist with 1–2 years of relevant experience to join a multidisciplinary cell therapeutics discovery team within Oncology Immune Therapeutics in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The successful candidate will be a key individual contributor, working with cross-functional research partners to apply CAR-T engineering and T-cell biology expertise to investigate novel cell therapy platforms and design, generate, and evaluate CAR constructs. The role focuses on producing high-quality data to deepen understanding of emerging CAR-T therapies, inform research and development decisions, and contribute to future clinical-trial design. The scientist will develop next-generation CAR-T approaches, including logic-gated CAR-T constructs, and integrate findings across engineering, in vitro biology, and in vivo pharmacology to guide candidate prioritization and translational opportunities.

Requirements

PhD in immunology, cell biology, molecular biology, bioengineering, or a related discipline, with 1–2 years of relevant research experience.
Hands-on experience in CAR-T engineering or engineered T-cell approaches.
Expertise in ex vivo cell characterization using multicolor flow cytometry (FACS) and cytokine profiling methods such as ELISA, MSD, or Luminex.
Experience with immune-cell isolation techniques and culture of primary human T cells.
Experience designing and generating lentiviral CAR constructs and interpreting functional data to guide iterative construct optimization.
Ability to independently design and execute experiments, prioritize research activities, solve complex problems, and make evidence-based recommendations.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and adapt to changing research directions and priorities.
Strong collaboration and scientific communication skills, meticulous documentation practices, and commitment to research quality and data integrity.

Nice To Haves

Experience partnering with computational biology, target discovery, and in vivo pharmacology teams to advance engineered cell therapies.
Experience with engineered T-cell manufacturing and culture.
Understanding of synthetic biology principles applied to cell engineering.
Experience developing functional profiling approaches and experimental models that support candidate selection and translational decision-making.

Responsibilities

Design and execute research advancing next-generation CAR-T approaches, translating project objectives into experimental plans and decision criteria.
Design, generate, and evaluate complex lentiviral constructs for logic-gated CAR-T approaches.
Perform functional testing and optimization of CAR-T cells and collaboratively develop and test novel analytical methods.
Engineer cell lines to create fit-for-purpose experimental models for evaluating function and informing construct selection.
Analyze and integrate findings across engineering, in vitro biology, and in vivo pharmacology to inform candidate prioritization and translational opportunities.
Collaborate to meet project timelines while maintaining high standards for quality and data integrity.
Follow established protocols and SOPs and maintain meticulous records in an electronic laboratory notebook.
Contribute to technical documents and, when relevant, scientific content for regulatory submissions.
Present results, project updates, and recommendations to cross-functional teams, department meetings, and scientific leadership.

Benefits

Performance-based cash incentive.
Depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.
Comprehensive benefits package for eligible US-based employees, including health, life, and disability benefits.
401(k) with company contribution and match.
Vacation, personal days, holidays, and other leaves.

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