About the program

The Novartis Innovation Postdoctoral Fellowship offers aspiring drug hunters a unique opportunity to join our teams at the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR), the innovation engine of Novartis. Mentored by experienced NIBR scientists, Innovation Fellows will gain first-hand experience in the design and development of breakthrough therapies and innovative technologies. We are looking for Innovation Fellows who will harness their scientific creativity and natural curiosity to help bring transformative treatments to patients. Join us as we reimagine medicine together.

Program highlights

  • Program duration: 2-3 years
  • Mentorship & access to technology: Innovation Fellows will drive a multi-year research project under the mentorship of distinguished NIBR scientists and have access to NIBR state-of-the-art technology platforms to achieve their research goals
  • Curriculum: at the start of their Fellowship, Innovation Fellows will attend a comprehensive training series (boot camp), including dedicated courses covering the fundamentals of drug discovery and development. They will participate in our Science & Business pillars of drug hunting sessions during their first 2 years, as well as several professional development seminars.
  • Rotation option: toward the end of their Fellowship, Innovation Fellows will have the opportunity to choose a short-term rotation in either a scientific or business-related discipline to broaden their exposure and skillset
  • Fireside chats with local leading scientists and entrepreneurs
  • Community: Innovation Fellows will join our vibrant postdoctoral community for dedicated events, including the monthly postdoctoral seminars and our annual Research Day Symposium
  • New cohorts of Innovation Fellows start in the Fall

Who are the Innovation Fellows?

  • Early-career scientists (MD and/or PhD), with terminal degree received within the last 3 years (students graduating in the next 5 months are eligible to apply)
  • Dedicated to translating scientific discoveries into medicines that improve human health 
  • All scientific and technical disciplines welcome (biology, chemical biology, chemistry, computational and data sciences, and more)
  • Strong publication record or other scientific achievements (i.e. awards, patents) 
  • Entrepreneurial mindset and boundless curiosity

How to Apply

We are currently accepting applications for the:

All applications will be evaluated by a review team comprised of NIBR discipline experts. Candidates selected as finalists will be invited for an all-day virtual interview in July 2023. New Innovation Fellows are expected to start in the Fall of 2023.

If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]. Please note that we are not able to accept or respond to applications sent by email.