Translational Medicine Academy fellow in Clinical Science & Innovation (CS&I)

Job Description Summary

Novartis is a place where bright, curious minds combine to solve the world’s toughest healthcare challenges and reimagine medicine together. It’s an inspiring environment for aspiring talent. For those embarking on a career in innovative medicines or moving into the industry it’s an opportunity to gain early exposure, experience and insights that are hard to find anywhere else.

Biomedical Research’s global Translational Medicine (TM) group builds on basic research advances to develop new therapies that address unmet medical need. We are the crucial bridge between drug discovery and clinical application. Through our work, we increase the speed, quality and productivity of drug discovery and development by Novartis and play a pivotal role in bringing innovative medicines to patients.

Clinical Sciences & Innovation (CS&I) plans, designs and manages the clinical TM portfolio and partners with Global Clinical Operations to execute the TM clinical portfolio worldwide. Our associates strive to support a smooth transition from discovery research to clinical practice – driven by a strong focus on clinical & data sciences, clinical innovation, patient centricity and strategic planning.

The TM Academy is a cross-functional program within TM designed for career starters, career changers, and career relaunchers. If you are ready for two transformative years to gain hands-on experience in a diverse, multicultural, global and inclusive environment in early drug development and clinical trials, contributing to innovative programs and projects that help bring breakthrough treatments closer to patients worldwide, then this is the opportunity for you!

 

Job Description

This advert is exclusively for Clinical Sciences & Innovation (CS&I) within the TM Academy. Other TM Academy roles are advertised separately under:

• REQ‑10077029 – TM Academy Pharmacokinetic Sciences (PKS) Modeling & Simulation

• REQ‑10077055 – TM Academy Preclinical Safety – Data Science

• REQ‑10077246 – TM Academy Fellow in Biomarker Development

• REQ‑10076845 – TM Academy Biomarker Development Laboratory Excellence and Operations (BMD LEO)

Location: Basel, Switzerland

Duration of program: 24 months

Program start: 01-September- 2026

Applications are open until 17-May-2026 included.

By submitting your application, you confirm that you would be available to begin the program on 01-September, with final selection decisions expected to be communicated by end of June/early July.

Please note that we can only accept applicants who are eligible to work in Switzerland.

The TM Academy is designed for individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences:

• Career starters: recent university degree graduate within the past 2 years

• Career changers: professionals with experience from a different field

• Career relaunchers: professionals wanting to return to work after a career break

Your journey begins with a basecamp: 4-week immersive blended experience designed to introduce you to our organization, the drug development process, the various departments in Translational Medicine, the clinical trial process and the tools and technical platforms needed for your work.

Throughout the program, fellows reunite for continuous learning focused on soft skills, cross-functional exposure, and thematic introduction series - broadening your perspective beyond your immediate team and function.

As a TM Academy fellow in CS&I, you will have the opportunity to gain knowledge and contribute to the operational and logistical aspects of early phase clinical trials in TM across different therapeutic areas. In parallel to your Academy learning, your focus will be to provide support to the various CS&I groups and the clinical teams throughout the trial lifecycle – from set-up, through maintenance, and reporting.

During the TM Academy you will… 

• build a strong foundation in translational medicine with support from industry experts

• embark on a progressive, blended and flexible learning experience covering conceptual, theoretical and experiential techniques 

• be part of a global network of supportive peers and mentors who will guide you to work and collaborate on meaningful projects that shape the future of medicine

• gain hands-on experience by contributing to and supporting a range of clinical trial operations activities such as:

  • play a key role in shaping the quality of clinical, regulatory, and trial documents by ensuring that they are complete, accurate, consistent, and ready for submission

  • support creating and refining important clinical documents - working closely with experienced colleagues who will guide you as you grow

  • bring energy to team communications by crafting trial newsletters and helping organize engaging investigator and study‑related meetings

  • learn the ins and outs of clinical trial documentation by supporting the setup and oversight of the Trial Master File

  • facilitate communication and collaboration across global teams, investigator sites, and vendors by helping gather information and keeping activities moving smoothly

  • build hands‑on experience with key clinical trial systems (CTMS, risk/issue tracking, site‑engagement tools), ensuring data is accurate and up to date

  • support day‑to‑day trial operations - coordinating meetings, tracking materials, and keeping signatures and documentation flowing

• broaden your professional horizon by doing a deep-dive within one of the CS&I groups aligned with your interests and based on open opportunities, such as e.g. trial management, feasibility, study budget, data visualizations, clinical pharmacology, clinical innovation

• have the opportunity to teach back and help welcome new fellows by contributing to their onboarding and sharing what you’ve learned along the way

Role requirements

Candidates should have:

• Demonstrated interest in clinical research and drug development and curious to engage in a scientific environment focused on clinical trial operations enablement, documentation, and cross-functional coordination

• University degree (BA; BSc, MA, MSc, PharmD or PhD) or relevant professional experience

• Fluency in business-level English; oral & written

• Good organizational, interpersonal, collaboration, and communication skills

• ability to work in a team and independently, managing multiple priorities with support

• Good Office IT skills

Accessibility and accommodation 
Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable 
accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in order to receive more detailed information about the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to 
diversity.inclusion_ch@novartis.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message. 
 

 

Skills Desired