Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow, Target Biology – Oncology

Job Description Summary

We are excited to invite applications for the Novartis Biomedical Research Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, a unique training opportunity designed for exceptional early-career scientists eager to tackle some of the most challenging problems in biomedical research and drug discovery.

As a Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow, you will join the Target Biology & Discovery team in Cambridge, Massachusetts and pursue an innovative research project at the forefront of biomedical science and drug discovery. You will work alongside leading scientists in a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary environment while gaining exposure to the broader ecosystem that translates scientific discovery into medicines.

Our fellows are empowered to ask bold scientific questions, apply cutting-edge technologies, and develop approaches with the potential to transform patient care. The Novartis Biomedical Research Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is designed to develop the next generation of scientific leaders and power the future of medicine through rigorous research, immersive learning, and exposure to emerging technologies including artificial intelligence in biomedical research

 

Job Description

Internal Job Title: Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow

Position Location: Cambridge, MA, onsite #LI-onsite

* This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. 

* Please note that relocation support is not available for this position.

* This is a full-time training position of up to three years in duration.

The start date for the 2026 Novartis BR Postdoctoral Fellowship Program cohort is October 1, 2026. Please confirm your availability to meet this date in your cover letter.

Research Opportunity

Lineage-specific cell surface targets represent attractive “cellular addresses” for cancer therapies using modalities such as radioligand therapy, antibody drug conjugates, or immune cell engagers. This postdoctoral position will be pointed towards improving our understanding of cell intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms that regulate surface target expression, with a particular focus on clinically validated cell surface targets with appreciated connections to lineage-driven biologies.

Why Join the Program?

The Novartis Biomedical Research Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is designed to develop the next generation of scientific leaders and power the future of medicine through rigorous research, and immersive learning experiences, including the implementation of AI tools in biomedical research.

Postdoctoral Research Fellows benefit from:

• Guidance from accomplished scientific leaders and subject matter experts

• Access to advanced technologies, platforms, and research capabilities

• Collaboration across disciplines and organizational boundaries

• A global and diverse community of postdoctoral fellows

• Dedicated programming designed to help fellows thrive throughout their careers.

• Personalized experiential learning opportunities through a Postdoc Practicum that empower fellows to explore new scientific domains, build cross-functional expertise, and expand their impact beyond their primary research project.

• Opportunities to present research, publish in leading journals, and build an international scientific network

We are entering a new era of biomedical research breakthroughs through the convergence of biology, technology, and artificial intelligence tools, and fellows are also supported in engaging with these emerging approaches.

This is a full-time training position of up to three years in duration.

Reimagining Medicine Together

At Novartis, our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. Through this program, you will grow as a scientist and future leader while contributing to discoveries that may ultimately benefit patients worldwide.

Start Date

The start date for the 2026 Novartis BR Postdoctoral Fellowship Program cohort is October 1, 2026. Please confirm your availability to meet this date in your cover letter.

Key Responsibilities

• Executes experiments and interprets complex data to draw logical and innovative conclusions, connecting and enabling work of relevant collaborators.

• Generates innovative ideas within own team and/or project team to meet new technical requirements and/or answer project key scientific questions.

• Establishes target dates and priorities to enable data‐driven advancements in projects and with collaborators.

• Identifies scientific/technical trends within own discipline that impact projects.

Essential Requirements

• PhD (or equivalent doctoral degree) in a relevant scientific discipline completed prior to the fellowship start date. The program is intended for scientists immediately following their PhD training (PhD conferred in 2026 only).

• Demonstrated record of scientific achievement (publications, presentations, patents, or equivalent)

• Strong commitment to learning, innovation, and professional development

Desirable Requirements

• Prior research experience in epigenetics and chromatin biology topics.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and cover letter by September 1st.

In your cover letter, please describe your research interests, career aspirations, and how participation in the Novartis Biomedical Research Postdoctoral Fellowship Program will support your long-term development.

Compensation & Benefits

The starting salary for this position is 87,000 USD per year (this is for Job Post US only).
US-based employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package including health, life, and disability coverage, a 401(k) plan with company contribution, and a generous time-off package.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.  (this is for US Job Post only)

Please note that relocation support is not available for this position.

The start date for the 2026 Novartis BR Postdoctoral Fellowship Program cohort is October 1, 2026. Please confirm your availability to meet this date in your cover letter.

 

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 Thinking, Chemical Biology, Chemistry, Clinical Research, Clinical Trials, Collaboration, Curious Mindset, Data Analysis, Detail-Oriented, Ethics, Gene Therapy, Immunology, Machine Learning (ML), Mammalian Cell Culture, Medical Research, Molecular Biology, Patient Care, Science