Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow, Fibrosis & Aging

Job Description Summary

As part of the Discovery Fellowship track of the Novartis Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, you will join our vibrant, dedicated postdoctoral community for events, including the monthly postdoc seminars and other scheduled events for postdocs. Fellows are surrounded by a supportive, collaborative community of postdocs and scientists, who would contribute to the acceleration of your scientific growth, along with building your professional skillset, e.g. you will have the opportunity to do a Postdoc Practicum in another laboratory or in a business function of Novartis. This applied research program is up to 3 years in length, with the option of applying for an extension of up to 1 year (pending review by the Head of Biomedical Education & Innovation and the postdoc supervisor).

 

Job Description

Internal Job Title:  Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow

Position Location: Onsite, Cambridge, MA  #LI Onsite

About the role:

We are thrilled to open applications for our Discovery Fellowship track of the Novartis Postdoctoral Fellowship Program.

Come join Novartis Biomedical Research as a Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow and help identify the signaling pathways and cell states at the intersection of inflammaging, fibrosis and infection.

You will be part of our Fibrosis and Global Health teams in Cambridge, MA, and will collaborate with international researchers in our Immunology, Aging & Regeneration and Cardiovascular and Metabolism units. Your co-mentors, an immunologist and a pharmacologist, will help you develop a research program investigating the connections between fibrosis, aging, sterile inflammation and infection. To execute this program, you will independently design in vivo and in vitro experiments and will conduct and analyze these with the support of a cross-disciplinary team. As you conduct your postdoctoral research, your co-mentors will help you grow your scientific network, including through conference presentations and publishing in peer-reviewed journals, to ensure you leave the Program as a competitive candidate for the next step in your professional journey.

As part of the Discovery Fellowship track of the Novartis Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, you will join our vibrant, dedicated postdoctoral community for events, including the monthly postdoc seminars and other scheduled events for postdocs. Fellows are surrounded by a supportive, collaborative community of postdocs and scientists, who would contribute to the acceleration of your scientific growth, along with building your professional skillset, e.g. you will have the opportunity to do a Postdoc Practicum in another laboratory or in a business function of Novartis. This applied research program is up to 3 years in length, with the option of applying for an extension of up to 1 year (pending review by the Head of Biomedical Education & Innovation and the postdoc supervisor).

Discovery Postdoctoral Fellows have a unique opportunity to conduct innovative, interdisciplinary research and are expected to publish their results in leading journals. We collaborate across scientific and organizational boundaries, with a focus on powerful new technologies that have the potential to help produce therapeutic breakthroughs for patients.

Through the Novartis Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, you will build your competency as a drug hunter, and as a scientific leader in the field. You will join a professional network that will support your growth as a research scientist, and you will have the opportunity to tackle disease and make an impact, by reimagining medicine together.

Key responsibilities:

As a Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow, you will:

• Design a research project with the support of your co-mentors to investigate the connections between fibrosis, aging, sterile inflammation and infection

• Conceive, conduct, and analyze in vivo and in vitro experiments using a genetically engineered mouse model and cutting-edge techniques in primary human cells

• Proactively troubleshoot issues, analyze, present data at internal / external forums and publish in peer-reviewed journals

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to complete the post-doctoral project and deliver value to the company

Role Requirements:

• Ph.D. degree in Immunology / Infectious Diseases / Cell Biology / Molecular Biology or related field including full-time independent research experience (students defending in 2025 and those within 2 years of their defense are eligible to apply)

• Hands-on experience with pre-clinical mouse models including genotyping, breeding, handling, dosing and endpoint analyses

• Demonstrated proficiency in a broad range of techniques across immunology / pharmacology / molecular biology / protein biochemistry / cellular assays & analysis with required expertise in:

  • high-parameter flow cytometry,

  • genetic manipulation (CRISPR, siRNA or viral transduction), and

  • primary cell culture

• At least one first-author (or co-first) publication submitted to or published in a peer reviewed journal and at least one presentation at a scientific conference (either poster or oral is acceptable)

• collaborative successes that convey an ability to clearly communicate verbally and in writing with colleagues from a range of specialties

• Willingness to spend ~6 consecutive weeks in Emeryville, CA, USA

• Passion for fundamental exploratory research and boundless curiosity

How to apply:

Please submit your CV and cover letter by July 11th, 2025 for consideration. Please make sure to discuss in the cover letter how this training program will help you fulfill your career goals. 

#PDX

The starting salary for this position is $87,000 per year.

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.

 

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 and 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 us.reasonableaccommodations@novartis.com or call +1(877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

 

Salary Range

$57,800.00 - $107,300.00

 

Skills Desired

Analytical Skill, Analytical Skill, Analytical Thinking, Chemical Biology, Chemistry, Clinical Research, Clinical Trials, Collaboration, Communication Skills, Curiosity, Data, Data Analysis, Design Of Experiments, Detail-Oriented, Diversity & Inclusion, Drug Discovery, Ethics, Gene Therapy, Immunology, Laboratory, Lifesciences, Machine Learning (Ml), Mammalian Cell Culture, Medical Research, Molecular Biology {+ 11 more}