Senior Principal Scientist/Associate Director PK Sciences (DUAL LEVEL POSTING)

Senior Principal Scientist / Associate Director, PK Sciences, Therapeutic Areas (DUAL LEVEL POSTING)

Location: Cambridge, MA or San Diego (US)

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated PK Sciences project team representative to develop and implement translational or clinical pharmacology strategies to support the pursuit of transformative new medicines through late clinical development. Our unique organizational structure enables colleagues to work seamlessly in the translational and/or clinical space, offering opportunities for development and bench‑to‑bedside‑to‑bench translation. Experience in late discovery and/or clinical area is preferred. The scope of the role potentially includes small molecules, biologics/therapeutic proteins, antibody drug‑conjugates, radioligand therapies and/or cell therapies across major therapeutic areas in Novartis, including oncology, immunology, cardiovascular‑renal‑metabolism, neuroscience, and global health. This position drives close interdisciplinary collaboration among the PK Science disciplines, Drug Disposition (ADME, BA), Modeling & Simulation (M&S), and Operations through PK science sub‑teams to achieve a holistic and integrative perspective of the ADME/clinical pharmacology properties of candidates and drugs.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently represent the PK Sciences function in cross‑functional project teams, interacting with stakeholders within the organization and with regulatory agencies, as appropriate.
• Lead a PK Science Subteam with interdisciplinary representation of the major functions from within PK Science and beyond.
• Ensure implementation of project strategies and monitor timelines, objectives, and budgets for assigned projects.
• Present projects at various institutional review and approval boards.
• Proactively contribute to developing drug candidates across the Research Development and Commercial continuum, providing expert pharmacokinetic / drug metabolism and clinical pharmacology input.
• Develop and execute clinical pharmacology strategies, including input into nonclinical and clinical study design, and analysis of PK and PK/PD data, to support compound development from discovery through late development.
• Provide PK, dosage, PK/PD and M&S components of study protocols, reports, project summaries and development plans, and author pharmacokinetic/clinical pharmacology/biopharmaceutics sections, radiation dosimetry of IND/IMPDs and NDA/BLAs as well as prepare appropriate responses to global Health Authority questions.
• Use Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning (ML) approaches to enable model‑guided molecular design, preclinical and clinical data automation, authoring regulatory documents, and the use of predictive models.
• Act as a mentor to or manage junior associates in the organization.

Essential Requirements

• Ph.D. / Pharm.D. with relevant experience.
• Preferred candidates will have a minimum of 5+ years at the Senior Principal Scientist Level and 8+ years at the Associate Director level in clinical pharmacology, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics or a related background in an industry setting.
• Extensive and in‑depth knowledge of pharmacokinetics including drug metabolism and PK/PD evaluation, experience working in project teams (preferably global) and sound awareness of recent developments in drug development and regulatory sciences.
• Demonstrated success in working in a cross‑functional, matrixed, project‑team environment.
• An influential team player and talented negotiator with strong oral and written communication skills.
• Proven record of mentorship and/or people management.

Desirable Requirements

• Hands‑on project experience with Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning (ML) approaches is a plus.

Leadership / Novartis Behaviors in Action

• Delivers results through disciplined execution, continuous improvement, and a strong focus on value and outcomes.
• Demonstrates an enterprise mindset and strong ownership by prioritizing resources and decisions for maximum Novartis and patient impact.
• Role‑models Novartis leadership behaviors through visible actions, continuous self reflection, and openness to feedback.
• Builds trust through transparent communication, clear accountability, and consistent delivery against commitments.
• Empowers others to innovate and improve while maintaining high scientific, ethical, and operational standards.

AI Fluency

• Brings strong AI and digital fluency, using enterprise tools to enhance insight generation, decision making, and team productivity.
• Accountable for the ethical, transparent, and compliant use of AI in line with Novartis AI governance and data protection standards.

External Eminence

• Acts as an external thought leader, advancing Novartis' reputation in translational science and innovation.

Operational Excellence

• Drives operational excellence through disciplined execution, continuous improvement, and effective use of resources to maximize PKS and enterprise value.
• Acts as a responsible steward of people, data, and digital capabilities, leveraging AI and automation to improve efficiency, quality, and decision speed.

This is a dual posting. The final level & title of the offer role would be determined by the hiring team based on the skills, experience & capabilities required to perform the role at the level the role has been offered.

Salary

Senior Principal Scientist: $138,600 and $257,400 per year.
Associate Director: $145,600 and $270,400 per year.
Final salary offered is determined based on factors such as relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors. Compensation includes a performance‑based cash incentive and, depending on the level, eligibility for annual equity awards.

US‑based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time‑off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves. To learn more about the culture, rewards and benefits we offer our people click here.

Why Novartis

Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together?

Benefits and Rewards

Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally. Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB).

EEO Statement

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Accessibility & Reasonable Accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e‑mail to or call and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

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