Associate Director (m/f/d) Method Expert Team (80-100%)

Summary

Location: Basel, Switzerland Role Purpose: Are you passioned to lead a team of Method Development Experts? Have you successfully developed analytical methods based on QbD Principles? Have you used automation solutions for method development? Do you thrive on challenges and enjoy creating new physicochemical methods for biopharmaceutical molecules? Would you be willing to develop and support your team associates in their professional growth? Are you attracted to living in a vibrant region of Europe with abundant cultural and outdoor activities? If you answered "yes" to all of these questions, then we want you to join the Novartis Process Analytical Sciences team in Basel, Switzerland. Our team develops Biologics drug substance and drug products, from candidate selection to launch, emphasizing agility, innovation, and scalability to best serve our portfolio, partners, and patients.

About the Role

Your key responsibilities

As Associate Director you will lead the Method Expert Team of Process Analytical Sciences at our TRD Biologics site in Basel.
Your responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Operational manager for approx. 7+ associates in total Collaboration and Leadership: As a team lead, you will be responsible for providing technical and scientific guidance but also to inspire your team. You will work with global cross-functional teams and manage interfaces e.g. with research, process development, quality assurance, scientific office, and regulatory affairs, e.g. to ensure alignment on method development or Process Analytical Technology (PAT) strategies. Method Development and Optimization using Quality-by-Design (QbD) Principles:
Drive the physicochemical analytical (PCA) method development and optimization of assigned pipeline projects for all relevant sample matrices (Drug Substance, Drug Product, Intermediates). Provide guidance on experimental designs, risk assessments, and the use of statistical tools to ensure the development of robust and reliable analytical methods. Drive innovation programs:

• Advanced Instrumentation and Technology:
  Leverage advanced analytical instrumentation and emerging technologies to enhance existing analytical methods.
• Miniaturization and Automation:
  Explore opportunities for miniaturization and automation to increase throughput, reduce sample and reagent consumption, and enhance efficiency.
• Data-Driven Approaches:
  Utilize data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to analyze large datasets and develop data-driven approaches for method development. Identify critical quality attributes, process parameters and correlations to optimize method performance.

Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and support filings applying principles described e.g. in recent ICH guidelines.

What you'll bring to the role

• Leadership Skills:
  Proven ability to lead and inspire a team of scientists, with a focus on achieving team and organizational goals.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels of the organization.
• People Development:
  Commitment to the growth and development of team members, with a track record of successful mentoring and coaching.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and a strategic mindset.
• Technical and Scientific Expertise:
  Extensive experience in physicochemical analytical method development, including (U)HPLC, CE and other relevant techniques.
• QbD Principles:
  Strong understanding of QbD principles and their application to analytical method development.
• Expertise in Automation and Data Modeling:
  Experience with advanced analytical technologies and data analysis tools to enhance efficiency and decision-making.
• Expertise in Process Analytical Technology (PAT)

Desirable requirements

• University degree (PhD or equivalent is desirable) in life sciences
• Minimum of 10 years of proven experience in the pharmaceutical industry
• Minimum of 5 years in a leadership position with successful performance and track record of leading teams

Why Novartis? Our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people's lives and our vision is to become the most valued and trusted medicines company in the world. How can we achieve this? With our people. It is our associates that drive us each day to reach our ambitions. Be a part of this mission and join us! Learn more here: https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

You'll receive: You can find everything you need to know about our benefits and rewards in the Novartis Life Handbook. https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards

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

Accessibility and accommodation
Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in order to receive more detailed information about the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to inclusion.switzerland@novartis.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

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

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? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Join our Novartis Network: Not the right Novartis role for you? Sign up to our talent community to stay connected and learn about suitable career opportunities as soon as they come up: https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network