Job Description Summary
As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, you will join Neuroscience in Cambridge and pursue an innovative research project at the forefront of biomedical science and drug discovery. You will work alongside leading scientists in a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary environment while gaining exposure to the broader ecosystem that translates scientific discovery into medicines.

Job Description

Internal Job Title: Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow

Position Location: Cambridge, MA, onsite

* Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible for you.

* This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Please only apply if you are currently authorized to work in the US for the 3 year duration of the program.

* This is a full-time training position of up to three years in duration.

Research Opportunity:

The Postdoctoral Fellow will leverage spatial transcriptomics, advanced bioinformatics, CRISPR engineering, and human iPSC-based functional assays to discover and validate novel therapeutic targets for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the neuroimmune interface

Start Date: The start date for the 2026 Novartis BR Postdoctoral Fellowship Program cohort is October 1, 2026. Please confirm your availability to meet this date in your cover letter. This is a full-time training position of up to three years in duration.

Key Responsibilities:

• Establish and apply high-resolution spatial transcriptomics workflows to profile disease-relevant regions in ALS model systems and identify spatially organized gene-expression programs.
• Develop and benchmark computational pipelines for spatial transcriptomic analysis, including spatial clustering, gene-module detection, ligand-receptor interaction mapping, and integration with single-cell and human ALS datasets.
• Generate and characterize CRISPR-engineered knockout or knock-in human iPSC lines for selected spatially identified target genes.
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams across neuroscience, functional genomics, bioinformatics, genome engineering, stem cell biology, and translational research.
• Communicate research findings through internal presentations, conference abstracts, and peer-reviewed publications.

Essential Requirements:

• PhD (or equivalent doctoral degree) in neuroscience, biology or related discipline (completed prior to the fellowship start date). The program is intended for scientists immediately following their PhD training (PhD conferred in 2026 only).
• Demonstrated record of scientific achievement (publications, presentations, patents, or equivalent)
• Strong commitment to learning, innovation, and professional development
• Strong background in spatial transcriptomics, single-cell genomics, stem cell biology, functional genomics, or related areas.
• Experience with human iPSC-derived cell lines and models.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex omics datasets.

Desirable Requirements:

• Hands-on experience with one or more relevant experimental platforms, such as tissue processing, transcriptomic profiling, human iPSC culture and differentiation, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, high-content imaging, co-culture systems, or functional cellular assays.
• Familiarity with computational analysis of transcriptomic or spatial omics datasets, including use of tools or workflows such as Seurat, spatial clustering, differential gene-expression analysis, pathway analysis, or cell-cell communication analysis.

How to Apply:

Please submit your CV and cover letter by July 25, 2026.

In your cover letter, please describe your research interests, career aspirations, and how participation in the Novartis Biomedical Research Postdoctoral Fellowship Program will support your long-term development.

Compensation & Benefits:

The starting salary for this position is 87,000 USD 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.

Salary Range
$57,800.00 - $107,300.00

Skills Desired
Analytical Thinking, Chemical Biology, Chemistry, Clinical Research, Clinical Trials, Collaboration, Curious Mindset, Data Analysis, Detail-Oriented, Ethics, Gene Therapy, Immunology, Machine Learning (ML), Mammalian Cell Culture, Medical Research, Molecular Biology, Patient Care, Science