Principal Scientist, Liquid handling Lab Leader, Compound Management

Principal Scientist, Liquid handling Lab Leader, Compound Management Summary

You are a self‑motivated, curious, creative and agile technology expert and leader with strong liquid handling, compound management and process automation skills, who enjoys contributing to lab work and process improvement as well as guiding and developing associates in your team. You enjoy working in a collaborative, fast‑paced environment and want to positively impact drug discovery through liquid handling technologies.

Internal job title:
Principal Scientist I/II

Location:

Cambridge, MA, onsite

2m+ is the number of compound samples managed by the global Discovery Sciences (DSc) compound management (CM) group, enabling 5000+ scientists and 200+ research projects on behalf of Novartis Bio Medical Research (BR). Operational excellence and a collaborative mindset are part of our DNA as process, technology, and drug discovery experts.

We are seeking a highly motivated, detail‑oriented and experienced liquid handling expert and lab leader to join our CM group in our research headquarters, Cambridge, MA, US. You and your lab team will accelerate drug discovery by producing high‑quality compound plates in various formats, implementing new capabilities in HT‑pipetting and sample process automation working closely with your colleagues in global DSc CM (Cambridge USA and Basel Switzerland).

• Manage a high‑throughput liquid handling laboratory for compound plate generation.
• Maintain and troubleshoot automated liquid handling workstations and automated compound management systems.
• Develop, document and maintain SOPs for process and quality control.
• Proactively identify and implement improvements to enhance system performance and reliability.
• Set up new liquid handling systems and processes in close collaboration with the CM automation engineering teams.
• Coordinate plating requests with the internal stakeholders.
• Present compound management activities and study results in cross‑functional meetings.
• Lead and develop a team of one to three associates.

• BS or MS in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Engineering, or related field, with 10+ years’ relevant experience, or PhD with 5+ years relevant experience
• Strong expertise in liquid handling processes and automation with multi‑year, hands‑on experience with different liquid‑handling equipment (e.g. Hamilton STARlet, Tecan Freedom EVO, CyBio FeliX, Echo acoustic dispenser).
• Hands‑on experience with various liquid‑handling and lab automation system software, ideally includes scripting skills (e.g. Venus, Evo Ware, Momentum, Cellario, GBG).
• Proven experience in compound management in a LMW drug discovery organization.
• High attention to detail and commitment to operational excellence.
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary global teams.
• Flexibility and responsiveness to shifting priorities.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

The salary for this position is expected to range between $103,600 and $192,400 per year for Principal Scientist I, and $114,100 and $211,900 for Principal Scientist II. 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 .

Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a…