Senior Principal Scientist/Principal Scientist, Immune Engagers

Novartis • Cambridge, MA

1d • $132,300 - $245,700 • Onsite

About The Position

Novartis Oncology Immune Therapeutics seeks a highly collaborative scientist to lead biology and drug-discovery efforts for novel immune cell engagers and multispecific immune modulators. The role combines cancer-immunology expertise, rigorous decision making, and cross-functional leadership to advance programs from target validation toward clinical development and contribute to broader immune-engager strategy. The position is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and is onsite.

The successful candidate will guide multidisciplinary discovery programs, integrate perspectives across antibody engineering, disease biology, translational science, pharmacology, safety, biomarkers, data science, and clinical development, and provide evidence-based recommendations at governance reviews. The role also includes supervising and developing scientists, building collaborations, and contributing to target and indication prioritization and next-generation modality innovation. Final level and title will be determined by the hiring team based on skills, experience, and capabilities.

Requirements

• PhD in cancer biology, immunology, or a related discipline with 5+ years of relevant research and/or industry experience; or an MS with 10+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Strong expertise in cancer biology and/or immunology, especially T cell and/or myeloid cell biology.
• Expertise in tumor immunology, especially T cell-mediated anti-tumor activity, tumor-associated myeloid cell biology, and immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment.
• Proficiency in immune-cell functional assays and complex immunophenotyping analysis, including integrated in vitro and ex vivo assays and multiparameter flow cytometry.
• Experience in antibody, multispecific biologic, and/or immune-engager discovery within cross-functional teams.
• Ability to formulate hypotheses, design rigorous experiments, interpret complex data, and translate findings into project decisions, supported by a strong research-publication track record.
• Excellent communication, presentation, analytical, and collaboration skills.

Nice To Haves

• Strong track record in T-cell engager or myeloid cell-engager discovery, with leadership from target validation through IND-enabling or early clinical activities.
• Demonstrated success as a project team leader, aligning multidisciplinary stakeholders and driving decisions through scientific and organizational complexity.
• End-to-end program perspective connecting indication biology, modality design, translational strategy, differentiation, and development path.
• Innovation in next-generation immune engagers or multispecific concepts, such as dual-targeting, logic-gated, or TME-dependent approaches, and associated discovery workflows.
• Experience mentoring junior project leaders and a broader scientific reputation demonstrated through publications, patents, presentations, or collaborations.

Responsibilities

• Identify and validate tumor-targeting strategies for immune cell engagers and/or multispecific immune modulators.
• Lead biology strategy and execution for multidisciplinary drug-discovery programs, defining goals, critical experiments, decision criteria, and differentiated product profiles.
• Serve as project team leader and/or biology lead, integrating antibody engineering, disease biology, translational, pharmacology, safety, biomarker, data science, and clinical perspectives.
• Design and interpret mechanistic studies of immune cell activation, anti-tumor activity, target biology, selectivity, resistance, and safety-relevant biology.
• Present evidence-based recommendations, risks, and development plans at governance reviews.
• Supervise and develop scientists while building productive internal and external collaborations.
• Contribute to immune-engager strategy, target and indication prioritization, and next-generation modality innovation.

Benefits

• Performance-based cash incentive.
• Depending on the role level, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.
• Health benefits.
• Life benefits.
• Disability benefits.
• 401(k) with company contribution and match.
• 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