Computational Chemist, Protein-Protein Interactions

Internal Position Title: Senior Expert II, Data Science

Job Location: Cambridge, MA onsite/hybrid

About the Role:

Join our vibrant and innovative Computer-Aided Drug Discovery (CADD) team in Cambridge, where we bring together diverse talents to redefine the way Biomedical Research discovery teams validate and develop new targets. As a part of Biomedical Research at Novartis, we are a driving force behind drug discovery, and we are now eagerly searching for an outstanding computational scientist to make an impact on the lives of patients by discovering medicines to address unmet medical need. As a passionate scientist, you will thrive at the intersection of experimental and groundbreaking digital technologies.

Your Responsibilities Include:

• Apply structure-based, ligand-based and machine learning approaches to progress drug discovery project by enabling decision-making.

• Drive hypothesis generation to improve clinical success rates for programs involving small molecules, peptides, RNAs, protein degradation, molecular glues, transient covalent inhibitors, and kinetic stabilization of drug-target complexes.

• Drive the design of medicinal chemistry efforts by applying in-depth knowledge of structure-activity relationships (SAR), a profound understanding of target biology, and predictive methods for assessing on- and off-target activity, physical properties, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD), and synthetic feasibility.

• Stay abreast of scientific literature and engage with internal and external scientists to incorporate biological insights into lead characterization and screening initiatives.

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary project teams to facilitate effective decision-making throughout the target identification to candidate nomination process. This involves applying and developing predictive models based on high-content and time-resolved screening data, including imaging techniques.

• Take a leading role in cross-disciplinary mechanistic studies using physics-based modeling and simulation, biophysical characterization, and cellular validation. These studies will inform the strategic targeting strategies of discovery projects, aiming for optimal mechanisms of action (MoAs).

What you will bring to the role:

• Advanced degree in medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry or related field with demonstrated 3-5 years of hands-on industry experience of applying structure- and ligand-based design approaches, with a particular emphasis on modulating protein-protein interactions.

• Experience in computational approaches such as MD simulations, free energy calculations, conformational sampling techniques as applied to protein-ligand and protein-protein-ligand complexes.

• Demonstrated expertise in designing small molecule modulators of protein-protein interactions (protein-protein interaction inhibitors / activators and targeted protein degraders / stabilizers).

• Proven track record of innovation through analogue design, leading to significant impact on discovery projects, demonstrated by a strong publication record.

• Familiarity with computational drug design tools and high-performance computing environments.

• Experience in leading an early-stage drug discovery project.

Desired Core Competencies:

• Proactively anticipates project needs with a clinical focus.

• Demonstrates rigor and diligence in idea substantiation, analogue design, and experimentation.

• Strong team orientation with multitasking and adaptability in support and leadership roles.

• Effective listener with excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Proficient in data visualization to effectively communicate insights.

Why Novartis: Our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives and our vision is to become the most valued and trusted medicines company in the world. How can we achieve this? With our people. It is our associates that drive us each day to reach our ambitions. Be a part of this mission and join us! Learn more here: https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

You’ll receive: You can find everything you need to know about our benefits and rewards in the Novartis Life Handbook: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion / EEO: The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers and take pride in maintaining a diverse environment. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We are committed to building diverse teams, representative of the patients and communities we serve, and we strive to create an inclusive workplace that cultivates bold innovation through collaboration and empowers our people to unleash their full potential.

Novartis Compensation and Benefit Summary: The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $144,000 to $216,000/year; however, while salary ranges are effective from 1/1/24 through 12/31/24, fluctuations in the job market may necessitate adjustments to pay ranges during this period. Further, final pay determinations will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to geographical location, experience level, knowledge, skills, and abilities. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a sign-on bonus, restricted stock units, and discretionary awards in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Join our Novartis Network: If this role is not suitable to your experience or career goals but you wish to stay connected to hear more about Novartis and our career opportunities, join the Novartis Network here: https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network

You’ll receive: You can find everything you need to know about our benefits and rewards in the Novartis Life Handbook: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams' representative of the patients and communities we serve.