Associate Director, High-Throughput Biology and Automation

Job Description Summary

Role Type: Onsite Working #LI-Onsite

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Relocation Support: This role is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support: please only apply if accessible.

What if you could define the high-throughput biology and automation strategy that accelerates the next generation of oncology medicines? As Associate Director, High-Throughput Biology and Automation, you will lead a critical Oncology function at the intersection of biology, biochemistry, automation, and data science.

You will set the strategic roadmap, align capabilities and portfolio priorities, translate complex portfolio questions into scalable experimental and data-enabled solutions, and proactively shape future platform and infrastructure needs. Leading a talented multidisciplinary team, you will deliver robust, decision-enabling science that advances the next generation of Oncology medicines.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute Oncology's high-throughput biology, biochemistry, and automation strategy, translating portfolio questions into fit-for-purpose experimental, automation, and data solutions.
• Lead a team accountable for designing, executing, and delivering high-throughput profiling workflows that generate robust, decision-enabling data for the Oncology portfolio.
• Shape and scale profiling platforms spanning biochemical, cellular, phenotypic, mechanistic, imaging, and multimodal readouts to meet evolving Oncology portfolio needs.
• Lead automation strategy across liquid handling, robotics, automated cell culture and banking, workflow miniaturization, platform integration, and device lifecycle planning.
• Proactively define future capability needs across assays, technologies, and infrastructure to guide platform evolution and strategic investment decisions.
• Define and implement data strategies that ensure high-throughput biology datasets are high-quality, well-annotated, FAIR, integrated, and actionable for portfolio decision-making.
• Lead cross-functional alignment with internal and external stakeholders to ensure HTB capabilities are integrated with Oncology portfolio strategy.
• Lead, develop, and empower a high-performing multidisciplinary team of engineers, cell biologists, and automation scientists, fostering scientific excellence, accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Essential Requirements

• PhD in a relevant scientific or technical field, or master's degree with substantial relevant industry experience.
• At least 10 years of experience in biotech, biopharma, pharmaceutical research, or a related scientific environment.
• Track record defining high-throughput biology, automation, and platform strategy.
• Deep expertise in profiling, assay development, miniaturization, optimization, validation, and decision-enabling data generation.
• Experience with biochemical, cellular, phenotypic, functional, mechanistic, imaging, and sequencing-based readouts.
• Strong experience designing, implementing, and scaling laboratory automation and automated workflows.
• Strong data expertise across experimental design, QC, analysis, data standards, metadata, laboratory data systems, and informatics partnerships.
• Demonstrated people leadership, Oncology drug discovery expertise, and success working across cross-functional and external partner environments.

Desirable Requirement

• Experience with in vivo-supporting workflows, single-cell technologies, multimodal omics, or cloud-based data platforms.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to lead a high-impact High-Throughput Biology and Automation function supporting Oncology discovery.
• Access to cutting-edge technologies and collaboration with scientific, automation, data, and translational experts.
• The opportunity to shape platform strategy, data workflows, automation capabilities, and the development of a scientific team.
• An environment focused on scientific innovation, inclusion, operational excellence, and professional growth.

• The salary for this position is expected to range between $145,600 and $270,400 per year.
• The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors.
• Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.

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.

To learn more about the culture, rewards and benefits we offer our people

Skills Desired

Analytical Thinking, Analytical Thinking, Business Influence, Chemical Biology, Chemistry, Clinical Research, Clinical Trials, Collaboration, Communication, Curious Mindset, Data Analysis, Data Management, Decision Making, Design of Experiments (DOE), Detail-Oriented, Drug Development, Drug Discovery Process, Ethics, Gene Therapy, Laboratory Research, Leading Project Teams, Life Science, Machine Learning (ML), Medical Research, Mentorship {+ 10 more}