Novartis Posted August 11, 2026

Sr Principal Scientist / Associate Director, Biomarker Assay Development Laboratory

Cambridge (USA), United States FULL_TIME
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About this opportunity

#LI-OnsiteLocation: Cambridge, MA, USARelocation Support: YesImagine advancing biomarker science that helps transform promising discoveries into life-changing medicines. As a Sr Principal Scientist / Associate Director, Biomarker Assay Development Laboratory, you will lead a high-performing team at the forefront of translational research, developing innovative biomarker assays that shape critical decisions across drug discovery and clinical development. Working across a diverse portfolio spanning renal, liver, fibrosis, and emerging disease areas, you will collaborate with leading scientists and cross-functional partners to accelerate patient-focused breakthroughs. This is an exciting opportunity to combine scientific leadership, strategic thinking, and innovation to make a meaningful impact on the future of medicine.

Key ResponsibilitiesLead development and qualification of biomarker assays supporting discovery, translational research, and clinical development.Design fit-for-purpose assay strategies enabling target engagement, pharmacodynamics, and patient stratification decisions.Drive laboratory operations, resource planning, and prioritization to support portfolio objectives effectively.Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of innovative biomarker scientists.Foster a culture of scientific excellence, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.Partner with Translational Medicine, Data Science, and cross-functional project teams on biomarker strategies.Establish and manage external collaborations to access emerging technologies and specialized scientific capabilities.Oversee outsourced assay activities and ensure delivery of high-quality translational data.Provide scientific leadership that informs translational plans and clinical development strategies.Represent the laboratory in cross-functional forums and contribute to strategic program decisions.Essential RequirementsDoctor of Philosophy, Medical Doctor, or equivalent degree in a relevant life sciences discipline.Extensive experience developing biomarker assays within pharmaceutical or biotechnology environments.Deep expertise across cellular, circulating, proteomic, genetic, and genomic biomarker approaches.Proven success designing, qualifying, and implementing assays for preclinical and clinical studies.Strong experience with platforms such as polymerase chain reaction, next-generation sequencing, immunoassays, and mass spectrometry.Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and inspire teams within complex matrix organizations.Experience managing external partners and contract research organizations to deliver scientific outcomes.Excellent collaboration, scientific communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.Desirable RequirementsExperience applying multiomics profiling and patient stratification approaches within translational research programs.Strong strategic mindset with a track record of innovation and advancing scientific impact.Rewards At Novartis, we’re committed to reimagining medicine together - and rewarding the people who make it happen.  The rewards of being part of our team go far beyond base pay and incentives. We also offer a variety of competitive benefits in kind to help you thrive personally and professionally, such as insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources and global recognition programs. In addition, we provide flexible and hybrid working options, where possible, and a minimum of 14 weeks paid parental leave.  Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role: USA: 152,600.00 - 283,400.00 USD Annual The salary offered is determined based on gender-neutral objectives, such as relevant skills, competencies and experience in accordance with the Novartis pay setting policy and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically.   In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance-based bonus depending on certain performance parameters. Further details will be provided during the application process.   Pay equity is a fundamental principle of our employment policy and reflects our commitment to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment that treats all employees with dignity and respect, as outlined in our Code of Ethics.  Read our brochure to learn more about our global total rewards offering: https://www.novartis.com/sites/novartis_com/files/novartis-life-handbook.pdf  Note: Benefits and compensation may vary by country and are subject to local legal requirements, including provisions of collective bargaining agreements where applicable. A full overview of your compensation package, including any relevant collective bargaining agreement details applicable to your role based on your employment location and Novartis employer entity, will be communicated separately to you during the application process.   Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture Benefits and Rewards: Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards

Job details

Seniority
Associate Director
Function
Drug Discovery & Preclinical Research
Therapeutic area
Not listed
Location
Cambridge (USA), United States
Employment type
FULL_TIME

How this role compares

Computed from every other active Drug Discovery & Preclinical Research role in our database, not just this employer's listings.

We currently track 292 comparable Associate Director Drug Discovery & Preclinical Research roles across 47 biopharma companies.

292Comparable roles tracked
266Currently active
47Companies hiring similar roles
18Countries represented

Salary context

141 of 292 peers report a salary range (USD, annualized)

Peers share this role's job function and a matching or adjacent seniority level -- not necessarily the same therapeutic area or country.

This roleSubject $152,600/yr – $283,400/yr
Lowest disclosed · Senior Animal Behaviorist - Primate · Labcorp $70,000/yr – $80,000/yr
Peer group range $75,000 – $231,700 (median $145,470)

Where these roles are based

Top locations among the 292 comparable roles

United States223
India11
United Kingdom8
Switzerland6
Spain5
Japan5

+ 12 more countries

Seniority mix

292 of 292 peers have a known seniority level

Senior227
Associate Director41
Manager24

Therapeutic area mix

28 of 292 peers have a known therapeutic area; the rest are genuinely unlabeled, not hidden

Neuroscience10
Oncology9
Immunology8
Cardiovascular / CVRM1

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How we calculate "similar"

No black box, no LLM guesswork: a deterministic score built from four normalized attributes. Here's this role's own peer group at different match levels, so you can see the mechanism, not just the result.

Every comparison starts from the same 100-point budget: 25 for working in the same function, 40 for the same therapeutic area, 20 for the same or adjacent seniority, 15 for the same country. A dimension we can't confirm on both sides contributes nothing, never a guess, never a free pass.

60%
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Function Therapeutic area Seniority Country
Unmatched or unknown dimensions score exactly the same: 0 points, never a partial guess. A role we know almost nothing about beyond its function bottoms out at 25%; it never inflates to 100% just because there's little to compare against. Seniority uses a defined ladder (Associate → Manager → Associate Director → Senior → Principal → Director → Senior Director → Executive/VP) so "Director" and "Senior Director" count as adjacent, but "Director" and "Executive/VP" do not.