Principal Scientist II/Senior Principal Scientist, Modeling & Simulation (Dual Level Posting)

Summary

Balance of in‑person and virtual working, with an average of 12 days a month on site.

Location

San Diego, CA

About The Role

Novartis is a leader in neuroscience with a robust and diverse pipeline of innovative therapies. We are seeking a translational modeler eager to accelerate oligonucleotide therapeutics (“xRNA”), including antibody‑xRNA conjugates, from discovery through clinical translation. In this role, you will partner with multi‑disciplinary teams to shape and lead optimization strategies and advance programs from candidate selection to first‑in‑human studies.

As part of a truly translational modeling team, you will work closely with clinical pharmacology and pharmacometrics groups to support clinical programs, applying quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) approaches to inform key decisions spanning early dose optimization through life‑cycle management.

This role reports to a Modeling and Simulation (M&S) team lead and is situated within Avidity Therapeutics, a Novartis company.

Key responsibilities

• Act as the M&S representative on several programs, develop and execute modeling strategies, contribute to project team discussions, and guide model‑informed decisions from therapeutic design to first‑in‑human dose selection and beyond.
• Build and apply mechanistic models (PK/PD, QSP, and PBPK/PD) that link drug pharmacology, tissue biodistribution, mechanism(s) of action, and downstream effects.
• Integrate modeling into the design and interpretation of preclinical in‑vivo and in‑vitro studies to support candidate selection, optimization, and advancement towards the clinic.
• Engage in strategic initiatives within M&S, such as developing translational modeling strategies for new platforms and modeling workflows that extend across multiple projects or coordinating modeling activities for a disease area.
• Proactively seek opportunities to increase the understanding and adoption of translational modeling among internal partners and expand its impact and visibility through external collaborations.

Essential Requirements

• Ph.D. in biology, bioengineering, pharmaceutical sciences, biophysics, or a related field. Alternatively, a Master’s degree with 5+ years of industry experience and demonstrated impact (e.g., publications) will be considered.
• Expert level proficiency in core modeling fundamentals, including scripting languages (MATLAB, R), construction of ordinary differential equation (ODE) models, parameter estimation, data visualization, and foundational data science concepts.
• Proficiency in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD), quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP), and/or mechanistic physiologically based PK/PD (PBPK/PD) is required. Knowledge of pharmacometrics concepts (Population PK, exposure‑response modeling) is preferred.
• Prior experience with the integration of computational modeling and biological concepts is required. Experience in the neuroscience disease area is preferred but not strictly required. Experience with oligonucleotide therapeutics (siRNA, ASO, PMO, etc.), antibodies, and/or antibody‑drug conjugates (ADCs) is strongly preferred.
• Strong communication skills: ability to convey modeling results to a multidisciplinary audience for collaboration and to facilitate strategy and decision‑making. Fluency in English (oral and written) is required.

Other Details

Position Title: Principal Scientist II (3+ years) or Senior Principal Scientist (5+ years). Salary range: $126,000 – $234,000 per year, with performance‑based cash incentive and eligibility for annual equity awards. US‑based eligible employees receive a comprehensive benefits package including health, life, disability, 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a generous time‑off package (vacation, personal days, holidays, other leaves).

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

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process or to perform the essential functions of the position, contact reasonableaccommodations@novartis.com or call +1‑877‑395‑2339. Please include the job requisition number in your message.