Group Leader
800 biomarker discovery and development projects, across more than 100 clinical studies, which generate 20 petabytes and 2 million patient-years of data! All waiting for you to unlock the next breakthrough in medicine.
Biomarkers are critical components of translational research and medicine, enabling robust therapeutic and mechanistic hypothesis testing in early and late clinical development, and as precision medicine enablers e.g. defining patient subpopulations, understanding disease heterogeneity, predicting therapeutic responses, and potential development as diagnostics.
As an Immunology Therapeutic Area Biomarker Lead (TABL) you will lead disease area biomarker matrix teams and be accountable for the delivery of “fit for purpose” exploratory biomarker strategies across multiple programs in early and late clinical stages. In late phase particularly, you’ll be expected to assume the overall accountability for the biomarker strategy for at least one of our portfolio assets. You will be a core member of Project teams, involved in Global Biomarker and Diagnostic Teams, engaged in Translational Data Science teams, and provide therapeutic area line strategic, scientific and tactical input. As a TABL you will lead efforts to identify, develop, and drive disease, mechanistic and compound biology that serves the precision medicine hypotheses for the multi-indication portfolio.
In the role of TABL in Biomedical Research, Translational Medicine-Biomarker Development (BMD) you will be responsible for:
• Delivering therapeutic area, as well as clinical project, “fit for purpose” exploratory biomarker strategies within our Immunology General Medicine disease indications and in close collaboration with research, clinical development and commercial functions.
• Leading a dedicated matrixed group of biomarker subject matter experts and project team representatives to develop and contribute to clinical project strategies, plans and timelines in partnership with line function leaders.
• Leading overarching asset related biomarker strategies enabling the delivery of late phase assets and respective launch.
• Representing BMD on early and late Disease Area Decision Boards to identify, develop, and drive disease and compound mechanistic biology, clinical decision-making exploratory biomarkers and precision medicine hypotheses for the portfolio.
• Co-leading strategic translational data working groups centered on integrating and analyzing large-scale patient multi-modal data sets (omics, imaging, digital, etc.) to identify new indications and endpoints, enable early and late phase data delivery to support decision making, and identify potential responder patient subpopulations.
• Providing thought leadership with other BMD TABLs to identify synergies and drive innovation across our large and diverse clinical portfolio in General Medicine.
• Representing BMD line functions in Therapeutic Area Line Function committees for clinical protocol development.
• Implementing strategies in close collaboration with the BMD global organization which includes over 100 associates with expertise in all aspects of biomarker science i.e. genetics, genomics, molecular and cellular, digital devices, imaging and data sciences.
Diversity & Inclusion / EEO
We are committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.
Minimum Requirements
What you will bring to the role:
• MD, MD/PhD, or PhD degree required, plus additional PhD/postdoc or equivalent level research
• 5 to 10 years professional experience
• Industry experience preferred.
• Deep understanding of clinical disease that can be applied to questions of biomarker development, diagnosis, and treatment monitoring
• Clinical and/or biological expertise in immunology or related field
• Relevant expertise utilizing biomarkers for clinical decision-making including pharmacodynamics, clinical efficacy, disease deconvolution, response characterization, patient stratification and/or precision medicine.
• Evidence of interpreting and disseminating omics related findings, e.g. genetics, genomics, proteomics, with relevant application to clinical decision making while partnering with key stakeholders from research, data sciences and clinical development.
• Scientific excellence supported by recognized high quality publications
• Experience performing similar role within a pharmaceutical/biotechnology research company, clinical research organization or academic medical center
• Proven success in leading and partnering in multidisciplinary matrix teams across Pharma/biotech (clinical research through healthcare applications), academic institutions, or commercial business functions.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills with good presence and ability to influence and negotiate with senior leadership, experienced presenter and communicator.
• Fluent in oral and written English; other languages e.g. German, French, Italian useful but not required
Position can be based in Basel, Switzerland or Cambridge, USA.
Position to be offered commensurate with candidates’ level of experience.
Why Novartis?
769 million lives were touched by Novartis medicines in 2020, and while we’re proud of this, we know there is so much more we could do to help improve and extend people’s lives.
We believe new insights, perspectives and ground-breaking solutions can be found at the intersection of medical science and digital innovation. That a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment inspires new ways of working.
We believe our potential can thrive and grow in an unbossed culture underpinned by integrity, curiosity and flexibility. And we can reinvent what’s possible, when we collaborate with courage to aggressively and ambitiously tackle the world’s toughest medical challenges. Because the greatest risk in life, is the risk of never trying!
Imagine what you could do here at Novartis!
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