Principal Scientist I – Flow Cytometry Specialist for IOH

Job Description

6000! That’s the number of associates in the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR). This division is the innovation engine of Novartis, focusing on powerful new technologies that have the potential to help produce therapeutic breakthroughs for patients.

We are seeking a talented and highly motivated individual with extensive experience and interest in operating, maintaining and trouble-shooting multiple different types of cytometers in our state-of-the-art flow facility in Immuno-Oncology & Hematology (IOH), which is being expanded to include Mass Cytometry (aka Cytometry by Time-Of Flight or CyTOF). The primary responsibility of this individual will be instrumentation and user support in the IOH Flow Cytometry Facility, with additional responsibilities to include support for CyTOF.

The overarching goal of the IOH team is to elucidate the immuno-biology of cancer and non-malignant hematology to improve therapeutic strategies. Specifically, we focus on gaining a deep mechanistic understanding of host immune responses, the tumor microenvironment, and ex vivo engineered HSC therapies for hematopoietic genetic diseases. While each project uses a variety of multidisciplinary approach, flow cytometry is a critical technology for most projects.

Your responsibilities in this role will include, but not limited to:
•Perform instrument (flow cytometers) QC, maintenance, and instrument hands-on trainings, trouble shooting for cell analyzers.
•Assist users with experimental design and data analysis.
•Perform cell-sorts on BDFACSArias. Train users to self-operate the Sony MA900 cell sorter.
•Perform QC, maintenance and troubleshooting of CyTOF-XT.
•Communicate with manufacturers to arrange instruments’ preventive maintenance and repair.
•Assist facility manager to develop and/or optimize and enforce facility user guidelines, develop and/or optimize user training SOPs, instruments operating SOPs, and QC SOPs.
•Run samples on CyTOF-XT.
•Perform CyTOF antibody conjugations and validation.
•Optimize and validate CyTOF antibody panels.
•Evaluate data quality after sample run.
•Perform data management according to Novartis guideline.
•Give presentations as needed to educate users on new platforms.

Diversity & Inclusion / EEO

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers and take pride in maintaining a diverse environment. 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 are committed to building diverse teams, representative of the patients and communities we serve, and we strive to create an inclusive workplace that cultivates bold innovation through collaboration and empowers our people to unleash their full potential.

Minimum Requirements

What you’ll bring to the role:
•Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Chemistry or Physics with a minimum of 7 years of experience in the flow cytometry field, or an advanced degree with 5 plus years of experience in flow cytometry.
•Expertise in conventional Flow Cytometry, such as BD cell analyzers and cell sorters including FACSCanto, FACSFortessa and AriaFusion.
•Familiarity with other flow cytometry instrument platforms including Agilent NovoCyte flow cytometer, Sony MA900 cell sorter, Cytek Aurora.
•Proficiency with FlowJo data analysis software. •Familiarity with FCS Express, SpectroFlo and OMIQ is preferred.
•A willingness to help others, and an ability to explain complex principles clearly and concisely to all levels.
•Knowledge, familiarity, and proficiency with CyTOF instrument operation, CyTOF antibody conjugation and validation is preferred.
•Scientifically motivated self-starter, capable of independently conceiving, conducting, and critically analyzing research with minimal or no supervision
•Excellent communication skills to provide classroom and hands-on training to users, as well as aptitude and interest to establish new flow technology in-house.

Why Novartis?
766 million lives were touched by Novartis medicines in 2021, and while we’re proud of this, we know there is so much more we could do to help improve and extend people’s lives.

We believe new insights, perspectives and ground-breaking solutions can be found at the intersection of medical science and digital innovation. That a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment inspires new ways of working.

We believe our potential can thrive and grow in an unbossed culture underpinned by integrity, curiosity and flexibility. And we can reinvent what’s possible, when we collaborate with courage to aggressively and ambitiously tackle the world’s toughest medical challenges. Because the greatest risk in life, is the risk of never trying!
Imagine what you could do here at Novartis!

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Accessibility and Reasonable Accommodations: Individuals in need of a reasonable accommodation due to a medical condition or disability 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.

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $112,800 and $169,200/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a sign-on bonus, restricted stock units, and discretionary awards in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Join our Novartis Network: If this role is not suitable to your experience or career goals but you wish to stay connected to hear more about Novartis and our career opportunities, join the Novartis Network here: https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network .