Principal Scientist, Early Pipeline Development
Novartis
August 23, 2026
On-site
Minnehaha County, SD
Clinical Research and Development
Responsibilities:
- Lead and manage a 3–5 person downstream process team; provide technical support, training, and SME knowledge.
- Coordinate with upstream and analytical teams.
- Develop early drug discovery strategies with Disease Areas through lead selection and developability assessment.
- Serve as SME to transfer manufacturing process knowledge to Technical R&D and advance pipeline programs into clinical phases.
- Collaborate with Technical R&D to develop innovative, cost-effective downstream processes for next-generation AAV.
- Manage multiple project workflows to ensure timely delivery.
- Prepare written reports per documentation practices, including electronic lab notebook.
Required Qualifications:
- PhD in bioprocessing, biochemical engineering, gene therapy, or related field; 3+ years of relevant process development experience in biotech/pharmaceutical environment.
- Experience in people management.
- Knowledge of downstream purification (affinity and ion-exchange chromatography) and hands-on experience with AKTA purification systems.
- Technical proficiency, creativity, independent thinking.
- Effective communication with research scientists and cross-functional collaborators.
- Strong organization and problem-solving; attention to detail.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, matrix environment.
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience in AAV gene therapy.
- Experience with viral gene therapy.
Compensation/Benefits:
- Salary range: $108,500–$201,500 (Principal Scientist I) or $119,700–$222,300 (Principal Scientist II); performance cash incentive; potential annual equity awards.
- US-based benefits and time off package (health/life/disability, 401(k) match, vacation/personal days/holidays/leaves).
- Lead and manage a 3–5 person downstream process team; provide technical support, training, and SME knowledge.
- Coordinate with upstream and analytical teams.
- Develop early drug discovery strategies with Disease Areas through lead selection and developability assessment.
- Serve as SME to transfer manufacturing process knowledge to Technical R&D and advance pipeline programs into clinical phases.
- Collaborate with Technical R&D to develop innovative, cost-effective downstream processes for next-generation AAV.
- Manage multiple project workflows to ensure timely delivery.
- Prepare written reports per documentation practices, including electronic lab notebook.
Required Qualifications:
- PhD in bioprocessing, biochemical engineering, gene therapy, or related field; 3+ years of relevant process development experience in biotech/pharmaceutical environment.
- Experience in people management.
- Knowledge of downstream purification (affinity and ion-exchange chromatography) and hands-on experience with AKTA purification systems.
- Technical proficiency, creativity, independent thinking.
- Effective communication with research scientists and cross-functional collaborators.
- Strong organization and problem-solving; attention to detail.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, matrix environment.
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience in AAV gene therapy.
- Experience with viral gene therapy.
Compensation/Benefits:
- Salary range: $108,500–$201,500 (Principal Scientist I) or $119,700–$222,300 (Principal Scientist II); performance cash incentive; potential annual equity awards.
- US-based benefits and time off package (health/life/disability, 401(k) match, vacation/personal days/holidays/leaves).