Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow, Target Identification and Mechanistic Biology for Antimalarial Drug Discovery

Job description

Band Level 3 Job Description Summary We are excited to invite applications for the Novartis Biomedical Research Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, a unique training opportunity designed for exceptional early-career scientists eager to tackle some of the most challenging problems in biomedical research and drug discovery. As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, you will join Discovery Sciences (DSc) in San Diego 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. Our fellows are empowered to ask bold scientific questions, apply cutting-edge technologies, and develop approaches that have the potential to transform patient care. Job Description Internal Job Title: Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow Position Location: San Diego, CA, USA (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 Malaria remains a major global health challenge, and the molecular targets and mechanisms of action of several promising antimalarial compounds remain incompletely understood. In this Discovery Postdoctoral Fellowship, you will develop and apply innovative target-identification and interactomics approaches to uncover the biological pathways underlying parasite survival and drug response. The fellow will establish a T7 phage display library representing the blood-stage proteome of Plasmodium falciparum and apply this resource to identify targets and interaction partners of next-generation antimalarial compounds. Using complementary approaches including phage display, mass spectrometry-based proteomics, and computational analyses, the fellow will investigate protein interaction networks and generate mechanistic insights into parasite biology and therapeutic response. This project combines expertise in malaria biology, phage display technology, and quantitative proteomics within a highly collaborative and multidisciplinary environment. Working closely with scientists across Global Health and Discovery Sciences, the fellow will contribute to fundamental discoveries in parasite biology while developing expertise in state-of-the-art technologies for target identification and mechanism-of-action studies. Successful outcomes are expected to generate impactful publications and provide new opportunities for antimalarial drug discovery. Why Join the Program? The Novartis Biomedical Research Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is designed to develop the next generation of scientific leaders and power the future of medicine through rigorous research, and immersive learning experiences, including the implementation of AI tools in biomedical research. Postdoctoral Research Fellows benefit from: Guidance from accomplished scientific leaders and subject matter experts Access to advanced technologies, platforms, and research capabilities Collaboration across disciplines and organizational boundaries A global and diverse community of postdoctoral fellows Dedicated programming designed to help fellows thrive throughout their careers. Personalized experiential learning opportunities through a Postdoc Practicum that empower fellows to explore new scientific domains, build cross-functional expertise, and expand their impact beyond their primary research project. Opportunities to present research, publish in leading journals, and build an international scientific network We are entering a new era of biomedical research breakthroughs through the convergence of biology, technology, and artificial intelligence tools, and fellows are also supported in engaging with these emerging approaches. This is a full-time training position of up to three years in duration. Reimagining Medicine Together At Novartis, our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. Through this program, you will grow as a scientist and future leader while contributing to discoveries that may ultimately benefit patients worldwide. 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. Key Responsibilities: Design, construct, and characterize phage display libraries representing the blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum proteome Develop and optimize phage display screening workflows for target identification and protein interaction mapping Propose and execute biochemical, structural, and cell-based validation studies for candidate targets and interaction partners Collaborate closely with scientists across malaria biology, proteomics, structural biology, and computational biology disciplines Prepare and deliver clear, data-driven presentations that translate into actionable insights and support strategic decision-making Publication of scientific manuscripts describing novel discoveries, methodologies, and research outcomes in high-impact peer-reviewed journals Essential Requirements: PhD (or equivalent doctoral degree) in a relevant scientific 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 Demonstrated expertise in display technologies for therapeutic discovery, including phage, yeast, ribosome, and mRNA display platforms Experience with molecular biology techniques such as cloning, recombinant DNA manipulation, library construction, protein expression, or related approaches Desirable Requirements: Familiarity with protein-protein interaction technologies beyond display methods, affinity purification, immunoprecipitation, proximity labeling, or related screening approaches Knowledge of mass spectrometry-based proteomics, chemical proteomics, next-generation sequencing, or computational analysis of large biological datasets How to Apply: Please submit your CV and cover letter by July 25th, 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. To learn more about the culture, rewards and benefits we offer our people click here. 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, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We strive to create an inclusive workplace that cultivates bold innovation through collaboration and empowers our people to unleash their full potential. Accessibility and reasonable accommodations The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals wi