Associate Director and Senior Principal, AI Methods, AI for Research (AI4R)

Summary

Job Title: Associate Director and Senior Principal, AI Methods, AI for Research (AI4R)
#LI-Hybrid

Location: Cambridge, USA

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

Shape the future of drug discovery through cutting-edge artificial intelligence. As a leader in the AI Methods group within AI for Research (AI4R), you will drive the development of advanced machine learning approaches that unlock new insights across the biomedical research pipeline. From identifying novel therapeutic targets to accelerating clinical translation, your work will directly contribute to delivering innovative medicines faster. This is a unique opportunity to combine deep technical expertise with scientific curiosity, collaborate with world-class researchers, and redefine how AI transforms healthcare.

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

• Lead matrixed teams to design and deliver robust, scalable machine learning solutions for drug discovery
• Drive development of core machine learning capabilities across priority AI use cases in biomedical research
• Identify opportunities for methodological innovation across the end-to-end drug discovery pipeline
• Build advanced algorithms, models, and workflows to accelerate therapeutic discovery and development
• Establish and manage strategic collaborations with leading academic and external research partners
• Act as subject matter expert on state-of-the-art machine learning approaches across research domains
• Translate complex model outputs into actionable scientific hypotheses and guide experimental design
• Define and implement meaningful success metrics for AI models to ensure measurable research impact
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to align AI solutions with scientific and business objectives
• Promote awareness and adoption of advanced AI methods within the broader research organization

Essential Requirements

• 6+ years of experience in developing and deploying machine learning solutions across drug discovery domains
• Hands-on expertise applying machine learning to target identification, protein modelling, or translational research
• Strong experience with large-scale model training, high performance computing, and cloud-based infrastructure
• Advanced knowledge of modern machine learning methods such as representation learning or neural network architectures
• Proficiency in Python and deep learning frameworks, with strong software development and version control practices
• Demonstrated ability to drive innovation and deliver impactful machine learning solutions in complex, matrixed environments

Desirable Requirements

• Demonstrated contributions through publications, patents, or open-source projects in advanced machine learning research
• Experience with multimodal or foundation models applied to biomedical data such as imaging, genomics, or molecular structures

Novartis Compensation and Benefit Summary

The salary for this position is expected to range between 1,60,300.00 - 2,97,700.00 USD Annual.

The final salary offered is determined based on factors such as relevant skills and experience and will be reviewed periodically upon joining Novartis. Novartis may update 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 for annual equity awards.

US-based eligible associates receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life, and disability coverage, a 401(k) plan with company contribution and matching, and a range of additional benefits. Associates are also eligible for a generous time-off package, including vacation, personal days, holidays, and other leave options. To learn more about the culture, rewards and benefits we offer our people click here.

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?

Benefits and Rewards: Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally.
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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 & 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 [email protected] 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.