Novartis

Biocatalysis and Protein Engineering - Industrial Post Doctoral Researcher in Global Discovery Chemistry (Novartis Genesis Labs)

Basel-City, Switzerland

Full-time

First seen by offpeak October 23, 2026

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Job Description Summary

18. That's the number of months you will spend embedded in Global Discovery Chemistry (GDC) as an Industrial Postdoc, working at the heart of Novartis's most ambitious internal innovation initiative — the Genesis program. We are looking for a highly motivated, bold-thinking postgraduate scientist with expertise in biocatalysis, protein engineering, synthetic biology or a closely related field, ready to develop transformative technology platforms that reshape how medicines are discovered and made.

This is not a conventional postdoc. Genesis is Novartis's flagship internal innovation program — structured as an internal startup within one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. Think of it as the intellectual challenge and pace of an early-stage biotech, backed by the resources, scientific depth, and pipeline of Novartis Biomedical Research. We will encourage you to move fast, think big, and work on problems that matter — with the support of a world-class interdisciplinary team around you.

This role is a unique opportunity to work at the cutting edge of applied biocatalysis and protein engineering, at the interface between research and development, with direct impact on the Novartis portfolio. You will not only transfer your scientific knowledge into practice — you will develop your leadership skills, build a powerful internal and external network, and lay the foundation for an exceptional career in the pharmaceutical industry or academia.

Job Description

Your Responsibilities

Your responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Design and develop innovative technology platforms in biocatalysis and protein engineering as part of the Genesis flagship program, advancing Novartis's discovery capabilities at speed.
Conduct enzyme discovery and engineering campaigns — leveraging latest computational tools and high-throughput automated screening — to identify and optimise novel biocatalysts for pharmaceutical synthesis applications.
Develop novel biocatalytic synthetic solutions that enable efficient, scalable, and sustainable preparation of drug candidates across novel modalities, from early discovery through to clinical and commercial supply.
Get exposure to peptide chemistry and display technologies to expand the scope and diversity of biocatalytic solutions available to the Novartis portfolio.
Apply cutting-edge automation platforms and advanced automation for high-throughput enzyme screening, data-rich experimentation, and rapid iteration across engineering campaigns.
Contribute to defining scientific strategy on Genesis program projects — identifying bold opportunities, designing novel experimental approaches, and helping shape the direction of the platform.
Collaborate with world-class experts in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Process Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Analytical Chemistry across Novartis and with external academic and industry partners.
Communicate your science — present findings internally, contribute to patents, and make complex science accessible to diverse audiences.

What You'll Bring to the Role

A completed PhD at the interface of Chemistry and Biology with a focus on biocatalysis, synthetic biology, enzyme engineering, or a closely related discipline.
Hands on experience in development of peptide-, or protein-modifying enzymatic transformations is preferred.
Strong track record of original research and the ability to develop innovative (bio)catalytic transformations.
Scientific curiosity and team spirit to effectively work at the interface of multiple scientific disciplines in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.
Effective interpersonal and communication skills are essential.
Effective knowledge of English, both oral and written, is required.
Experience with state-of-the-art high throughput, computation or display technologies as well as previous post-doctoral experience is a further advantage but not a requirement.

Why Consider Novartis?

750 million. That's how many lives our products touch. And while we're proud of that, in this world of digital and technological transformation, we must also ask ourselves: how can we continue to improve and extend even more people's lives?

We believe the answers are found when curious, courageous, and collaborative people like you are empowered to ask new questions, make bolder decisions, and take smarter risks.

At Novartis Biomedical Research, you will have access to state-of-the-art infrastructure — advanced automation, high-throughput screening, computational design platforms, and structural biology capabilities. You will be mentored by world-class scientists and embedded in a scientific community that spans academic leaders, industry partners, and the Novartis global network. You will publish, present, and file patents. And through the Genesis program, you will experience something that is genuinely rare in large-company R&D: the energy, pace, and creative latitude of a startup, combined with the resources and pipeline of a top-five global pharmaceutical company.

Skills Desired