Innovation Postdoctoral Fellow, Peptide or LMW Delivery of New Drug Modality
Novartis
September 02, 2026
On-site
San Diego, CA
Clinical Research and Development
Internal Job Title: Innovation Postdoctoral Fellow
Position Location: San Diego, CA, USA (Onsite)
Research Opportunity
- Advance targeted delivery of oligonucleotides with peptides and other low-molecular-weight (LMW) ligands.
- Study how chemical modifications affect therapeutic potency, pharmacokinetics, and biodistribution.
- Focus on ligand design and optimization for targeted central nervous system (CNS) oligonucleotide delivery using peptide ligands and other LMW ligands.
- Collaborate with experts in oligonucleotides, peptide therapeutics, bioconjugation chemistry, pharmacokinetics, translational biology, and computational sciences.
Key Responsibilities
- Design & synthesize functional small molecules; bioconjugate with peptides and/or oligonucleotides for biological evaluation.
- Use analytical/biophysical methods (e.g., LC-MS/MS, chromatography, mass spectrometry) to assess purity, stability, binding, and pharmacological properties.
- Develop and propose innovative chemistry/chemical biology ideas to advance drug modality (primary focus: CNS delivery).
- Present findings and publish manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals.
- Work independently and in interdisciplinary teams.
Essential Requirements
- PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant scientific discipline completed prior to start; intended for candidates immediately post-PhD (PhD conferred in 2026 only).
- Rich experience in synthetic/medicinal chemistry.
- Demonstrated scientific achievement (publications, presentations, patents, or equivalent).
- Strong commitment to learning, innovation, and professional development.
Desirable Requirements
- Background in drug delivery, biomolecule conjugation, and chemical biology.
- Experience in CNS and/or other highly unmet-need disease areas.
Compensation & Benefits
- Starting salary: $87,000 USD/year.
- Benefits include health, life and disability, 401(k) with company contribution/match, and paid time off.
How To Apply
- Submit CV and cover letter by 08/24/2026 (include research interests, career aspirations, and how the program supports long-term development).
Position Location: San Diego, CA, USA (Onsite)
Research Opportunity
- Advance targeted delivery of oligonucleotides with peptides and other low-molecular-weight (LMW) ligands.
- Study how chemical modifications affect therapeutic potency, pharmacokinetics, and biodistribution.
- Focus on ligand design and optimization for targeted central nervous system (CNS) oligonucleotide delivery using peptide ligands and other LMW ligands.
- Collaborate with experts in oligonucleotides, peptide therapeutics, bioconjugation chemistry, pharmacokinetics, translational biology, and computational sciences.
Key Responsibilities
- Design & synthesize functional small molecules; bioconjugate with peptides and/or oligonucleotides for biological evaluation.
- Use analytical/biophysical methods (e.g., LC-MS/MS, chromatography, mass spectrometry) to assess purity, stability, binding, and pharmacological properties.
- Develop and propose innovative chemistry/chemical biology ideas to advance drug modality (primary focus: CNS delivery).
- Present findings and publish manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals.
- Work independently and in interdisciplinary teams.
Essential Requirements
- PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant scientific discipline completed prior to start; intended for candidates immediately post-PhD (PhD conferred in 2026 only).
- Rich experience in synthetic/medicinal chemistry.
- Demonstrated scientific achievement (publications, presentations, patents, or equivalent).
- Strong commitment to learning, innovation, and professional development.
Desirable Requirements
- Background in drug delivery, biomolecule conjugation, and chemical biology.
- Experience in CNS and/or other highly unmet-need disease areas.
Compensation & Benefits
- Starting salary: $87,000 USD/year.
- Benefits include health, life and disability, 401(k) with company contribution/match, and paid time off.
How To Apply
- Submit CV and cover letter by 08/24/2026 (include research interests, career aspirations, and how the program supports long-term development).