Senior Principal Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry

Job Description Summary

Job Description

Internal Job Title: Senior Principal Scientist

Position Location: San Diego, CA, onsite. #LI-onsite

Join Novartis BioMedical Research (BR), the innovation engine of Novartis, where over 6,000 associates are dedicated to discovering transformative medicines. At Novartis, we are reimagining medicine to improve and extend lives through cutting-edge science and technology. We tackle some of the most challenging healthcare issues, striving to deliver breakthrough treatments to patients worldwide.

Global Discovery Chemistry at BR is seeking a passionate and innovative Senior Principal Scientist with a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry, Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Chemical Biology or analogous degree. Based in San Diego, you will play a pivotal role in discovering and developing novel therapies across multiple disease areas and therapeutic modalities. This is a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary position that offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on unmet medical needs.

Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Provide strategic and broad team leadership on drug discovery and/or early development projects and initiatives and/or leads broad technology development areas.

• Lead and/or contribute to multidisciplinary project teams focused on drug discovery across various disease areas and modalities.

• Design and execute medicinal chemistry strategies to deliver high-quality clinical candidates.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including computational chemists, biologists, protein scientists and pharmacologists.

• Apply state-of-the-art data analysis and digital tools to interpret complex data, develop hypotheses, and design novel molecules.

• Drive innovation by initiating new projects, exploring emerging technologies, and contributing to the development of the exploratory portfolio.

• Recognize and leverage external collaboration opportunities to advance drug discovery programs and emerging areas of interest.

• Document and communicate scientific findings through patents, publications, and presentations.

• Mentor and coach scientists, fostering their development and enhancing their impact on projects.

• Finds opportunities to delegate and empowers others; has strong self-awareness.

What you will bring to the role:

• Ph.D. in Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Biology, or a related field.

• Minimum of 8 years of drug discovery experience in a pharmaceutical and/or biotech setting.

• Proven track record in medicinal chemistry, including successful advancement of projects to clinical candidate nomination.

• Expertise in small molecules, bifunctional molecules, and cell-targeted conjugates including siRNA.

• Hands on experience with conjugation techniques and solid-phase synthesis of oligonucleotides and peptides is a plus.

• Strong understanding of biology, pharmacology, bioinformatics, and structure-based drug design.

• Demonstrated leadership in mentoring and developing scientific talent.

• Innovative problem-solving skills and a mindset open to diverse thinking.

• Interest in emerging technologies such as data science and automation.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, matrixed, team-oriented environment.

• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to articulate complex scientific concepts and strategies.

• Experience working with external chemistry teams and CROs.

• Hands-on experience with complex and novel therapeutic modalities (e.g., degraders, peptides, ADCs, xRNA) is highly desirable.

The salary for this position is expected to range between $138,600and $257,400 per year.

The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors.

Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.

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

Skills Desired