Senior Imaging Expert (Dual Level Posting)
About The Position
The Biomarker Development (BMD) group at Novartis is seeking a Senior Principal Scientist or Associate Director to join our Clinical Imaging and Analytics team. This role will provide strategic, scientific, technical, and operational leadership on the optimal use of imaging in drug development. The successful candidate will be part of an imaging department with deep expertise in structural, molecular, and quantitative biomarkers and their application in translation and development. They will provide scientific leadership across Oncology (including Radioligand Imaging), Neuroscience, Cardiovascular/Renal/Metabolic, and emerging precision medicine initiatives, including xRNA programs and novel tracer development. The role involves partnering with clinical trial teams to establish the role of imaging endpoints along novel biological mechanisms across diverse therapeutic areas. The position offers a wide view of programs across various stages, from research to early development and subsequently to PhII/III trials. As part of building imaging endpoints, the role also provides unique exposure to a variety of other critical biomarkers (soluble and genetics) for an integrated view of identifying unique patient populations, assessing target engagement, and generating decision-critical readouts of efficacy, safety, and mechanism of action.
Requirements
- PhD or MD or MD/PhD with 8+ years of experience in PET/SPECT Imaging in academia or industry, including at least 5 years supporting clinical drug development.
- Deep technical expertise in PET and/or SPECT as applied to clinical drug development
- Strong understanding of clinical trial design, endpoint development, biomarker strategy, statistical considerations and clinical data flow is required.
- Experience with clinical protocol writing across line functions is required.
- Proactive, self-motivated and independent working style; comfortable operating in a multidisciplinary and highly matrixed organization.
- Ability to drive for results with urgency, accountability and sound judgment while balancing scientific quality and portfolio priorities.
- Strong communication skills in English, with demonstrated ability to influence, mentor and act as a collaborative servant leader.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with PET/SPECT tracer development, radioligand imaging, dosimetry, receptor occupancy or clinical Radioligand/Radiopharmaceutical Therapy (RLT/RPT) is a plus.
- Experience in regulatory interactions, submissions, first-in-human imaging studies, endpoint validation or qualification is a plus.
- Understanding of sites, budgets, imaging CROs, imaging data standards and experience with multisite trial execution is a plus.
- Demonstrated track record of innovative research preferably across imaging modalities
Responsibilities
- Act as an internal expert in molecular and clinical imaging, including PET, SPECT and other advanced imaging methodologies relevant to clinical and translational drug development.
- Partner with Oncology and General Medicine teams to develop and lead fit-for-purpose imaging strategies across research, early development and late-stage clinical development.
- Develop imaging biomarker, target engagement and translational imaging strategies that generate decision-critical evidence for patient selection, pharmacodynamics, efficacy, safety and mechanism of action.
- Collaborate with internal operational teams, imaging CROs, academic centers and external experts to design, execute and interpret imaging readouts across multisite clinical trials.
- Ensure quality and timely execution of imaging trials to deliver critical drug development decisions; be agile and responsive to clinical teams during the course of design, execution and interpretation of imaging trials.
- Evaluate and implement novel imaging techniques, quantitative methodologies, AI-enabled analytics and imaging platform capabilities, to improve portfolio decision making.
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
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
