Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow, Display Technology for Target Identification and Mechanistic Biology

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 some of the most challenging problems in biomedical research and drug discovery. As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, you will join Discovery Sciences (DSc) in San Diego and pursue an innovative research project at the forefront of biomedical science and drug discovery. You will work alongside leading scientists in a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary environment while gaining exposure to the broader ecosystem that translates scientific discovery into medicines. Our fellows are empowered to ask bold scientific questions, apply cutting-edge technologies, and develop approaches that have the potential to transform patient care. Job Description Internal Job Title: Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow Position Location: San Diego, CA, USA (Onsite) * Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible for you. * This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Please only apply if you are currently authorized to work in the US for the 3 year duration of the program. * This is a full-time training position of up to three years in duration. Research Opportunity Malaria remains a major global health challenge, and the molecular targets and mechanisms of action of several promising antimalarial compounds remain incompletely understood. In this Discovery Postdoctoral Fellowship, you will develop and apply innovative target-identification and interactomics approaches to uncover the biological pathways underlying parasite survival and drug response. The fellow will design, construct, and characterize molecular libraries and discovery resources, including display-based and related screening platforms, to enable systematic target identification and interaction mapping. These resources will be applied to identify targets and interaction partners of next-generation compounds and biological probes. The fellow will focus on developing broadly applicable molecular discovery workflows that can support target identification, protein interaction mapping, and mechanism-of-action studies. This project places molecular discovery platform development at the center of an adaptable discovery framework, combining display technologies, protein engineering, molecular-library screening, selection design, and targeted validation to generate mechanistic insight into biological pathways. Working closely with scientists across Discovery Sciences and Global Health, the fellow will have the opportunity to engage with complementary technologies such as mass spectrometry-based proteomics, chemical proteomics, structural biology, next-generation sequencing, and computational analysis as relevant to target identification and mechanism-of-action studies. Successful outcomes are expected to generate impactful publications and provide reusable resources for future antimalarial drug discovery efforts across disease-relevant biological systems . Why Join the Program? 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. Postdoctoral Research Fellows benefit from: Guidance from accomplished scientific leaders and subject matter experts Access to advanced technologies, platforms, and research capabilities Collaboration across disciplines and organizational boundaries A global and diverse community of postdoctoral fellows Dedicated programming 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. Reimagining Medicine Together 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 future leader while contributing to discoveries that may ultimately benefit patients worldwide. Start Date 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. Key Responsibilities: Design, construct, and characterize display libraries. Develop, implement, and optimize display screening workflows for target identification and protein interaction mapping. Propose and execute biochemical, structural, and cell-based validation studies for candidate targets and interaction partners. Collaborate closely with scientists across malaria biology, proteomics, structural biology, and computational biology disciplines. Prepare and deliver clear, data-driven presentations that translate into actionable insights and support strategic decision-making. Publication of scientific manuscripts describing novel discoveries, methodologies, and research outcomes in high-impact peer-reviewed journals. Essential Requirements: PhD (or equivalent doctoral degree) in a relevant scientific discipline completed prior to the fellowship start date. The program is intended for scientists immediately following their PhD training ( PhD conferred in 2026 only ). Demonstra