Research Scientist, in vivo Pharmacology-Oncology

Novartis•Cambridge, MA

2d•$57,800 - $107,300•Onsite

About The Position

The Research Scientist will design and lead preclinical oncology studies investigating drug exposure, target engagement, pharmacodynamic responses, and anti-tumor efficacy. The role integrates in vivo and ex vivo data to answer scientific questions and provide actionable recommendations to multidisciplinary drug discovery teams. The position is based onsite in Cambridge, USA. Novartis is unable to provide relocation support for this role.

Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in pharmacology, biology, cancer biology, molecular biology, or a related scientific subject.
Relevant industry or academic research experience demonstrating scientific independence and expertise appropriate for a Scientist role.
Strong hands-on experience with mouse studies, including dosing, tumor implantation, animal monitoring, and sample collection.
Hands-on experience with protein-based assays such as Meso Scale Discovery assays, ELISA, or Western blot.
Ability to independently design, execute, analyze, and troubleshoot in vivo pharmacology studies beyond following established study plans.
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
Strong scientific judgment and ability to translate biological questions into testable hypotheses and fit-for-purpose experimental designs.
Ability to interpret complex datasets, communicate clear scientific conclusions, and collaborate effectively with Biology, DMPK/PK, and other disciplines.

Nice To Haves

Experience with oncology models, including xenograft, patient-derived xenograft, or syngeneic models; integrated in vivo efficacy and PK/PD studies; and RNA-based pharmacodynamic analyses.
Strong understanding of PK/PD principles and exposure–target engagement–efficacy relationships.
Proficiency with GraphPad Prism or equivalent quantitative analysis tools.

Responsibilities

Independently design, plan, and execute preclinical in vivo oncology studies to test hypotheses, evaluate candidate medicines, and inform project decisions.
Perform animal procedures, including dosing, tumor implantation, monitoring, and sample collection, while following procedures and animal-welfare requirements.
Establish and characterize tumor models and select appropriate models for efficacy and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies.
Define study objectives and experimental strategies, including dose selection, treatment schedules, controls, and pharmacodynamic sampling plans.
Develop, optimize, and troubleshoot protein-based pharmacodynamic assays, including MSD, ELISA, and Western blot, to assess target engagement and pathway modulation.
Design and interpret RNA-based gene-expression analyses alongside protein measurements to investigate pharmacodynamic and biomarker responses.
Oversee tumor and normal tissue processing and optimize sample preparation and assay workflows for reliable downstream analyses.
Integrate efficacy, drug-exposure, and pharmacodynamic datasets to evaluate exposure–response relationships, identify limitations, and recommend next experiments.
Record experiments accurately and promptly in the electronic laboratory notebook.
Communicate scientific conclusions, study limitations, and data-driven recommendations to cross-functional project teams through presentations and study reports.