Require Principal Scientist at Novartis

Novartis has one of the most exciting product pipelines in the industry today. A pipeline of innovative medicines brought to life by diverse, talented and performance driven people. All of which makes them one of the most rewarding employers in their field.

Post : Principal scientist I

Job Description
• Provide support at BR India within Discovery Sciences (DSc), focusing on small molecule lead identification and optimization in close collaboration with Novartis colleagues in the US and Switzerland, as well as Indian CROs, to discover and advance innovative therapies addressing areas of high unmet medical need.
• Make significant contributions to multidisciplinary project teams by developing and implementing in vitro activity assays, including biochemical, cell-based, and biophysical assays.
• Establish advanced assay protocols at CROs, adapting from internal Novartis SOPs or relevant literature sources.
• Oversee the transfer and troubleshooting of all assay protocols between Novartis project teams and CRO partners.
• Ensure timely and accurate data reporting into NVS databases, serving as the primary point of contact to identify and resolve issues related to assay performance, quality, or timelines.
• Develop and define key performance indicators (KPIs) for CROs—such as data quality, turnaround times, primary data analysis, documentation, and data upload formats—in coordination with BR project teams.
• Act as the primary liaison to the CRO, implementing best practices for assay management to ensure productivity, efficiency, and alignment with project priorities.
• Collaborate closely with multiple NVS line functions to facilitate project success.
• Represent BR to external organizations and cultivate new professional relationships.

Candidate Profile
• PhD with 3-4 years or Master’s with 7-8 years of experience in life sciences, biochemistry, or related discipline with experience in drug discovery within biomedical or pharmaceutical research settings.
• Experience in assay development and data analysis using established quality control metrics, along with troubleshooting skills.
• Demonstrated scientific and technical background in drug discovery, with proficiency in assay development, optimization, and small molecule screening.
• Experience designing and implementing 384-well microplate assays for low molecular weight compound/ protein interactions, utilizing all the technologies in biochemical and cell-based assays
• Experience working with CROs and managing collaborative projects, including participation in assay development and execution for hit identification and optimization; experience with hit finding and screening is also considered advantageous.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented matrix environment and adapt to changing priorities and deadlines.
• Familiarity with enzymology, kinetics, and the mechanism of action studies is preferred.
• Willingness to engage with diverse perspectives and commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Proficient written and verbal English communication and influencing skills, with the ability to present and discuss project strategies and challenges collaboratively with project managers.
• Understanding of and adherence to Novartis health, safety, and environmental policies.

Additional Information
Experience : 3-8 years
Qualification : PhD or Master’s
Location : Hyderabad (Office)
Industry Type : Pharma/ Healthcare/ Clinical research
Job ID : REQ-10059724
End Date : 30th September 2025