Job Description Summary

Role type: Full time onsite, #LI-Onsite
Location: Durham, North Carolina, United States
Relocation Support: Yes

Join the team shaping the future of Cell and Gene Therapy and help bring transformational medicines to patients worldwide. As a Senior Scientist – Downstream Process Development, you will play a critical role in advancing viral vector technologies across adeno-associated virus (AAV) and lentiviral vector (LVV) platforms. Combining scientific expertise, innovation, and hands-on laboratory leadership, you will drive process development strategies that support breakthrough therapies from pre-clinical development through clinical manufacturing. This is a unique opportunity to influence cutting-edge science, collaborate with world-class experts, and accelerate the delivery of life-changing treatments to patients with urgent unmet needs.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

You will serve as the downstream technical lead for one or more gene therapy programs. This role is responsible for defining the overall downstream development plan for assigned gene therapy programs; designing, executing, and interpreting downstream process development studies; performing hands-on process operations at both small scale and large scale; and collaborating with cross-functional teams to advance AAV and LVV programs from pre-clinical development through clinical manufacturing.

Other responsibilities will include:

Perform hands-on downstream process operations at both small scale and large scale, delivering high-quality experimental outputs within program timelines.
Apply a strong statistical and data-driven mindset to analyze process study results, draw scientifically sound conclusions, and inform development strategy.
Drive downstream innovation by evaluating emerging technologies, current scientific advances, and state-of-the-field approaches relevant to viral vector process development.
Promote adoption of technical standards, platform approaches, and best practices across multiple programs and modalities.
Author technical reports, summarize process development outcomes, and contribute downstream content to regulatory filings, including IND submissions.
Present study results, technical recommendations, and development strategies to internal and external stakeholders in cross-functional forums.
Be a technical coach and mentor, fostering an innovative, collaborative, and scientifically rigorous culture.
Present technical recommendations and mentor colleagues to foster scientific excellence and collaboration.

Essential Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, chemical engineering, or a related technical field with 8+ years of relevant experience; Master’s degree with 6+ years of relevant experience; or PhD with 4+ years of relevant experience.
Strong technical background in downstream process development for biologics and/or viral vector-based therapies, with hands-on experience designing, executing, and interpreting process development studies.
In-depth expertise across multiple downstream unit operations such as chromatography, depth filtration, precipitation or flocculation, tangential flow filtration, ultracentrifugation, impurity clearance, and adventitious virus clearance.
Proficiency in statistical analysis principles, Design of Experiments (DoE), and data-driven decision-making.
Proven ability to define technical plans, solve complex process development challenges, and deliver scientific objectives within program timelines.
Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders, communicate technical recommendations clearly, and contribute to program strategy in a matrixed environment.
Innovative mindset with experience advancing continuous improvement, technical standards, best practices, or platform approaches across programs.

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.

Salary Range

$119,700.00 - $222,300.00

Skills Desired

Data Science
Materials Science
Process Simulation
Technical Writing
Waterfall Model

Welcome to where we thrive together

Improving the lives of people living with disease takes more than innovative science. It takes a focus on the needs of people and a community committed to meeting them. It takes a team of people like you. Working together. Learning together. Thriving together. Discover how you can join us in changing people’s lives.

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Senior Scientist - Downstream Process Development

About the role