Senior Scientist / Principal Scientist, In Vivo Pharmacology, Oncology (Dual Posting)

Job Description Summary

About the role:

#LI-Onsite

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Scientist specialized in oncology pharmacology to join our in vivo pharmacology team in the Oncology Disease Area at the Novartis BioMedical Research (BR) facility located in San Diego, CA. Our team is dedicated to the creation and development of innovative medicines to help cancer patients. We conceive, develop, validate, and employ pharmacological tools to evaluate the efficacy and safety of novel oncology drug candidates.

 

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• As an experienced and skilled lab-based in vivo pharmacologist, you will develop and work on various preclinical tumor models that involves surgery procedures.

• You will be part of a fast-paced, integrated, and interactive research group exploring novel and innovative therapeutics for oncology programs.

• You will be responsible for generating and communicating pharmacology data to support the progression of oncology programs.

• Designing, conducting, analyzing and reporting in vivo and ex vivo studies

• In vivo work will include animal handling and techniques such as tumor inoculation, measurement, oral, SC, IP, and IV dosing, blood and tissue collection and model development

• Ex vitro work includes a range of cellular and biochemical assays, including multi-color flow cytometry, WES, ELISA, qPCR to help interpret in vivo observations

• Employ good laboratory, data recording and data documentation practices.

• Present results in lab, department and project meetings

• Collaborate effectively while working in a matrixed environment

Essential Requirements:

• This position will be located at the San Diego, CA site and will not have the ability to be located remotely. This position will not require travel.

• This is a dual posting. The final level and title of the offer role would be determined by the hiring team based on the skills, experience, and capabilities required to perform the role at the level the role has been offered (Senior Scientist / Principal Scientist).

• Principal Scientist must be proficient with small rodent surgical techniques.

• Principal Scientist must have hands on experience developing complex in vivo cancer models such as orthotopic and GEMM models

• Bachelors or Masters in Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Biology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology or a related life science area

• At least 5+year hands on experience and highly proficiency in rodent handling procedures and in vivo skills including but not limited to dosing (IV, PO, SC, IP), tumor measurement, blood and tissue collection, necropsy.

• Proficiency in cell culture, passaging and harvesting cells

• Hands-on experience with ex vivo biological techniques and assays for PD analysis is a plus

• Must be independent and able to follow pre-established experimental designs, as well as develop new methods, protocols, and technologies based on existing literature.

• Must be detail-oriented, punctual, reliable and available on weekends when necessary.

• Must be multi-tasking and able to handle multiple in vivo studies in parallel.

• Computer literacy, especially proficiency with GraphPad Prism or similar system, Excel, PowerPoint and Word

Desirable Requirement

• Hands-on experience with ex vivo biological techniques and assays for PD analysis.

• Senior Scientist: Proficiency with small rodent surgical techniques. Experience developing complex in vivo cancer models such as orthotopic and GEMM models.

Novartis Compensation and Benefit Summary: The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between: $93,800 and $174,200 / year for the Senior Scientist and $103,600 and $192,400 / year for the Principal Scientist; however, while salary ranges are effective from 1/1/25 through 12/31/25, fluctuations in the job market may necessitate adjustments to pay ranges during this period.  Further, final pay determinations will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to geographical location, experience level, knowledge, skills,