Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow in Neuroscience

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 fundamental challenges in neurodegenerative disease and drug discovery.

As a Discovery Postdoctoral Research Fellow, you will join the Neuroscience Disease Area in Cambridge and pursue an innovative research program investigating mechanisms of TDP 43–driven neurodegeneration. You will work alongside leading scientists in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment while contributing to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets.

* Please note that relocation support is not available for this position.

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.

This project maps early neuronal TDP-43 interaction networks influenced by disease-associated glial environments in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Alzheimer’s disease to identify shared, druggable targets across neurodegeneration.

The Fellow will leverage human iPSC‑derived neuron–glia systems, proteomics, transcriptomics, and multi‑omics integration to uncover mechanisms of neuronal vulnerability and disease progression. ​

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.

• Guidance from accomplished scientific leaders and subject matter experts

• Access to advanced technologies, platforms, and research capabilities

• Collaboration across disciplines and organizational boundaries

• Dedicated programming is 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.

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 contribute to discoveries that may ultimately benefit patients worldwide. ​

• Design and execute an independent, hypothesis‑driven research program

• Develop and apply human iPSC‑based neuron and glial models

• Utilize genomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics approaches

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams across research units

• Communicate findings through presentations and peer‑reviewed publications

• PhD (or equivalent) in neuroscience, biology, or related discipline (completed prior to 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 expertise in neurobiology, molecular and cell biology, or biochemistry

• Strong commitment to learning, innovation, and professional development

• Experience with human iPSC‑derived neuronal or glial models

• Experience in confocal microscopy and high-content imaging and analysis

• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex proteomics datasets

• Expertise in TDP-43 or apolipoprotein E biology and mechanisms of neurodegeneration

• Experience with protein interactome mapping (Halo µMapping) or chemo-proteomics

Please submit your CV and cover letter by July 25th, 2026. In your cover letter, describe your research interests, career aspirations, and how this fellowship will support your long‑term development. ​

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 .

Skills Desired Analytical Thinking, Chemical Biology, Chemistry, Clinical Research, Clinical Trials, Collaboration, Curious Mindset, Data Analysis, Detail-Oriented, Ethics, Gene Therapy, Immunology, Machine Learning (ML), Mammalian Cell Culture, Medical Research, Molecular Biology, Patient Care, Science