Novartis Posted June 22, 2026

Senior Expert I, Data Science

LaJolla/SD, United States Regular
Data & Digital Senior

Novartis is the source of truth for this posting and owns the application process. We surface normalized context and market comparison you won't find on the original listing.

About this opportunity

Position Location: onsite, San Diego, CA #LI-hybrid*This role is based in San Diego, CA. Please only apply if this location is accessible for you.The Oncology Data Science group within Biomedical Research supports the Oncology Disease Area with computational biology, Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning (AI/ML), and data engineering for novel therapeutics across multiple drug modalities. As integrated scientists and engineers, we apply advanced analytics to pre-clinical and clinical projects, enabling progress in target discovery, drug development, and translational and clinical science. Help us bring innovative drugs to the clinic by analyzing and interpreting multi-dimensional molecular data (‘omics) into target identification, drug development, and patient biomarker discovery. The Low Molecular Weight (LMW) team at Novartis Biomedical Research Oncology Data Science is seeking a highly motivated Senior Computational Scientist to join our team. With a focus on induced proximity therapeutics, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams in Biomedical Research and Oncology stakeholders to advance efforts in target identification and drug development to support our ground-breaking drug discovery programs.

Major accountabilities:Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary wet-lab and computational scientists to design, analyze, and interpret high-dimensional biological data (e.g., bulk RNA-seq, DNA-seq, CRISPR, drug screening) to inform critical project decision.Lead profiling strategies and analysis of high-throughput genomic and phenotypic screening data to inform patient stratification and mechanism of resistance, in support of drug discovery and development.Integrate multi-modal internal and external preclinical datasets (e.g., genomics, transcriptomics, pharmacology, and functional screens) to produce translationally relevant insights.Apply advanced bioinformatics and machine learning approaches across multi-modal datasets to uncover novel, actionable biological insights and therapeutic hypotheses.Develop and implement innovative analytical methods to support emerging technologies and to effectively integrate, interrogate, and visualize multi-dimensional datasets.Drive oncology research by leveraging data mining and genomic profiling to identify novel targets for induced proximity modality, elucidate mechanism of action and support patient stratification strategies.Communicate integrative analyses and key findings clearly and effectively to diverse audiences, including cross-functional scientific teams and stakeholders.Qualifications:PhD in Computational Biology, System Biology, Bioinformatics, Data/Computer Science, or related field with relevant industry experience.Strong knowledge of cancer biology and multi-modal data types such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and phenotypic screening data.Proficiency in one or more programming languages for bioinformatics applications (e.g., Python, R) with experience in UNIX/Linux environment, version control, and reproducible workflows.Demonstrated statistical rigor and analytic depth in the analysis of high-dimensional omics datasets (e.g., bulk and single-cell transcriptomics, genomics).Demonstrated experience leveraging AI‑assisted coding tools (e.g., copilots, code generators, and LLM-based workflows) to accelerate data analysis, model development, and reproducible scientific pipelines.Familiarity with data workflows, including preclinical biomarker discovery and validation; survival analysis is a plus.Proven ability to work independently, prioritize tasks effectively, define next steps and manage multiple projects and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.Excellent communication skills, with the ability to deliver complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.Curiosity, creativity and a solution-oriented mindset when addressing scientific problems.Fluency in English (written and verbal).The salary for this position is expected to range between $126,000 and $234,000 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors.Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.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.

Job details

Seniority
Senior
Function
Data & Digital
Therapeutic area
Not listed
Location
LaJolla/SD, United States
Employment type
Regular

How this role compares

Computed from every other active Data & Digital role in our database, not just this employer's listings.

We currently track 92 comparable Senior Data & Digital roles across 23 biopharma companies.

92Comparable roles tracked
87Currently active
23Companies hiring similar roles
13Countries represented

Salary context

15 of 92 peers report a salary range (USD, annualized)

Peers share this role's job function and a matching or adjacent seniority level -- not necessarily the same therapeutic area or country.

This roleSubject $126,000/yr – $234,000/yr
Lowest disclosed · Senior Associate, Metadata Engineering · Pfizer $79,400/yr – $132,400/yr
Highest disclosed · Associate Director, AI Engineer - Remote · Novartis $176,400/yr – $327,600/yr
Peer group range $105,900 – $252,000 (median $188,100)

Where these roles are based

Top locations among the 92 comparable roles

India48
United States22
United Kingdom5
Japan3
Ireland3
Spain2

+ 7 more countries

Seniority mix

92 of 92 peers have a known seniority level

Senior56
Associate Director20
Principal16

Therapeutic area mix

2 of 92 peers have a known therapeutic area; the rest are genuinely unlabeled, not hidden

Oncology1
Immunology1

Similar opportunities

The closest matches from our peer group, ranked by how similar they are, not how well you'd qualify for them -- treat this as market context, not a guaranteed shortlist; a weak match is labeled as one below.

60%similar
E.R. Squibb & Sons,L.L.C. Princeton, United States Senior
Same function Same seniority Same country
60%similar
Sanofi US Services Inc. Framingham, United States Senior
Same function Same seniority Same country
60%similar
AbbVie North Chicago, IL Senior
Same function Same seniority Same country
60%similar
Pfizer New York City, United States Senior
Same function Same seniority Same country
60%similar
Novartis Cambridge (USA), United States Senior
Same function Same seniority Same country
50%similar
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc (USA) Warren, United States Principal
Same function Adjacent seniority Same country

How we calculate "similar"

No black box, no LLM guesswork: a deterministic score built from four normalized attributes. Here's this role's own peer group at different match levels, so you can see the mechanism, not just the result.

Every comparison starts from the same 100-point budget: 25 for working in the same function, 40 for the same therapeutic area, 20 for the same or adjacent seniority, 15 for the same country. A dimension we can't confirm on both sides contributes nothing, never a guess, never a free pass.

60%
Senior Data Engineer
E.R. Squibb & Sons,L.L.C. · Princeton, United States · Senior
Function Therapeutic area Seniority Country
60%
Senior Associate, Metadata Engineering
Pfizer · New York City, United States · Senior
Function Therapeutic area Seniority Country
50%
Principal Statistical Programmer
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc (USA) · Warren, United States · Principal
Function Therapeutic area Adjacent seniority Country
50%
Associate Director, Biostatistics - Genetic Medicine
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc (USA) · Tarrytown, United States · Associate Director
Function Therapeutic area Adjacent seniority Country
Unmatched or unknown dimensions score exactly the same: 0 points, never a partial guess. A role we know almost nothing about beyond its function bottoms out at 25%; it never inflates to 100% just because there's little to compare against. Seniority uses a defined ladder (Associate → Manager → Associate Director → Senior → Principal → Director → Senior Director → Executive/VP) so "Director" and "Senior Director" count as adjacent, but "Director" and "Executive/VP" do not.