Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow – Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research

As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, you will join Discovery Sciences in Basel, a multidisciplinary research department advancing target discovery and translational research through innovative science and technology, 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 that have the potential to transform patient care.

Research Opportunity

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains a significant unmet medical need. This project aims to advance our understanding of mechanisms that influence intestinal tissue function and inflammatory processes by leveraging innovative human-derived experimental systems. The postdoctoral fellow will develop and apply state-of-the-art human organoid and cellular models together with molecular and cellular biology approaches to investigate disease-relevant mechanisms regulating intestinal tissue function and inflammation. These models will be used to improve disease understanding, enable mechanistic studies, and support the discovery and validation of novel therapeutic targets. Working within a highly collaborative and multidisciplinary environment, the fellow will generate insights that contribute to the identification of new therapeutic opportunities for patients with IBD.

Why Join the Program?

The Novartis Biomedical Research Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is designed to develop the next generation of scientific leaders, powering the future of medicine, through rigorous research, and immersive learning experiences, such as 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 development programs 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.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish human intestinal organoid and epithelial barrier models for IBD research
• Develop assays assessing barrier integrity, inflammatory responses, and multi-omics profiles
• Implement CRISPR-Cas9 genetic perturbations in organoid systems to investigate gene function and validate therapeutic target hypotheses
• Execute medium-throughput functional screening of IBD-associated genetic risk factors
• Identify and prioritize novel therapeutic targets based on genetic risk factors and functional screening data
• Drive experimental design, data interpretation, and project advancement
• Analyze and interpret experimental and molecular datasets
• Collaborate closely with scientists across departments
• Present research findings internally and externally, and drive the preparation and publication of scientific manuscripts.

Essential Requirements

• PhD (or equivalent doctoral degree) in cell biology, molecular biology, immunology, genetics, bioengineering, biomedical sciences, or a relevant scientific discipline completed prior to the fellowship start date. The program is intended for scientists immediately following their PhD training (graduated in 2026)
• Demonstrated record of scientific achievement (publications, presentations, patents, or equivalent)
• Experience with complex mammalian cell culture systems, such as organoids, stem-cell-derived models, or epithelial tissue models
• Strong experimental skills in molecular and cellular biology
• Interest in disease mechanisms, translational research, advanced human in vitro models, and the integration of human genetic and single-cell omics data
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary and collaborative environment
• Strong communication, presentation, and scientific writing skills
• Strong commitment to learning, innovation, and professional development

Desirable Requirements

• Experience with CRISPR-based genome engineering

• Experience developing functional assays in complex intestinal models

Important:

Please submit your CV and cover letter by July 15th 2026 end of day.

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.

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.

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