Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow, Targeted Protein Degradation and Induced-Proximity

Job Description Summary

Job Description

Internal Job Title: Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow

Position Location: onsite, Emeryville, CA #LI-Onsite

About the role:

We are thrilled to open applications for our Discovery Fellowship track of the Novartis Postdoctoral Fellowship Program.

Come join Novartis Biomedical Research as a Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow in our Discovery Sciences (DSc) research team in Emeryville, California, investigating biological systems that may be exploited in drug discovery for induced proximity-based therapeutics. This position is part of a robust local and global department with advanced technical capabilities and deep scientific expertise to deliver innovations at the leading-edge of drug discovery.

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to be part of our team located in Emeryville, CA, and will collaborate with both internal and external researchers in our global DSc department. Your co-mentors, a cell biologist and a protein scientist expert, will help you develop a research program investigating a novel protein degradation pathway. The goal will be to illuminate the mechanistic details of this pathway and develop tools to assess suitability for targeted protein degradation (TPD). Additional insights will be gained by in vitro biochemical/structural studies. The ideal candidate should demonstrate a diverse skill set and knowledge base in cell biology, molecular biology, and protein biology as their ability to leverage a range of disciplines will be key to discovering novel biological insights and uncovering new strategies for modulating protein/cellular function.

As part of the Discovery Fellowship track of the Novartis Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, you will join our vibrant, dedicated postdoctoral community for events, including the monthly postdoc seminars and other scheduled events for postdocs. Fellows are surrounded by a supportive, collaborative community of postdocs and scientists, who would contribute to the acceleration of your scientific growth, along with building your professional skillset, e.g. you will have the opportunity to do a Postdoc Practicum in another laboratory or in a business function of Novartis. This applied research program is up to 3 years in length, with the option of applying for an extension of up to 1 year (pending review by the Head of Biomedical Education & Innovation and the postdoc supervisor).

Discovery Postdoctoral Fellows have a unique opportunity to conduct innovative, interdisciplinary research and are expected to publish their results in leading journals. We collaborate across scientific and organizational boundaries, with a focus on powerful new technologies that have the potential to help produce therapeutic breakthroughs for patients.

Through the Novartis Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, you will build your competency as a drug hunter, and as a scientific leader in the field. You will join a professional network that will support your growth as a research scientist, and you will have the opportunity to tackle disease and make an impact, by reimagining medicine together.

Start date: October 2025

Key responsibilities:

As a Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow, you will:

• Design a research project with the support of your co-mentors to investigate a novel protein degradation mechanism

• Work independently as well as with interdisciplinary teams to carry out research activities

• Design and develop experiments and proof-of-concept tools to test targeted protein degradation, using genetic and/or chemical biology methods.

• Proactively troubleshoot issues, analyze, present data at internal / external forums and publish in peer-reviewed journals

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to complete the post-doctoral project and deliver value to the company

Role Requirements:

• Note that PhD students in the last year of their thesis work are eligible to apply. Applicants are only eligible to apply up to 2 years from the date of receiving their PhD (i.e. PhD degrees must have been awarded May 2023 or later)

• PhD in Cellular Biology, Molecular Biology, Chemical Biology, or a related field including full-time independent research experience

• Demonstrated proficiency in a broad range of techniques across molecular biology / cellular biology/ cellular assays / protein biochemistry / & analyses

• Desirable, but not required: proficiency in protein purification, structural biology, synthetic chemistry

• Strong publication record or other scientific achievements (i.e. awards, patents, grants)

• Excellent analytical, communication, presentation and organizational skills

• Passion for fundamental exploratory research and boundless curiosity

How to apply:

Please submit your CV and cover letter by August 1st 2025 for consideration. Please make sure to discuss in the cover letter how this training program will help you fulfill your career goals.

The starting salary for this position is $87,000 per year.

US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves. #PDX

EEO Statement:

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Accessibility and reasonable accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to us.reasonableaccommodations@novartis.com or call +1(877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

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Skills Desired