Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow – Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research

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.Location: Basel, Switzerland Duration: 3 yearsProgram start date: October 1, 2026Application deadline: July 15, 2026 EOBAs a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, you will join Discovery Sciences in Basel, a multidisciplinary research department advancing target discovery and translational research through innovative science and technology, 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.Research OpportunityInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains a significant unmet medical need. This project aims to advance our understanding of mechanisms that influence intestinal tissue function and inflammatory processes by leveraging innovative human-derived experimental systems. The postdoctoral fellow will develop and apply state-of-the-art human organoid and cellular models together with molecular and cellular biology approaches to investigate disease-relevant mechanisms regulating intestinal tissue function and inflammation. These models will be used to improve disease understanding, enable mechanistic studies, and support the discovery and validation of novel therapeutic targets. Working within a highly collaborative and multidisciplinary environment, the fellow will generate insights that contribute to the identification of new therapeutic opportunities for patients with IBD.Why Join the Program?The Novartis Biomedical Research Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is designed to develop the next generation of scientific leaders, powering the future of medicine, through rigorous research, and immersive learning experiences, such as implementation of AI tools in biomedical research.Postdoctoral Research Fellows benefit from:Guidance from accomplished scientific leaders and subject matter expertsAccess to advanced technologies, platforms, and research capabilitiesCollaboration across disciplines and organizational boundariesA global and diverse community of postdoctoral fellowsDedicated development programs 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 networkWe 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 TogetherAt 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.Key ResponsibilitiesEstablish human intestinal organoid and epithelial barrier models for IBD researchDevelop assays assessing barrier integrity, inflammatory responses, and multi-omics profilesImplement CRISPR-Cas9 genetic perturbations in organoid systems to investigate gene function and validate therapeutic target hypothesesExecute medium-throughput functional screening of IBD-associated genetic risk factorsIdentify and prioritize novel therapeutic targets based on genetic risk factors and functional screening dataDrive experimental design, data interpretation, and project advancementAnalyze and interpret experimental and molecular datasetsCollaborate closely with scientists across departmentsPresent research findings internally and externally, and drive the preparation and publication of scientific manuscripts.Essential RequirementsPhD (or equivalent doctoral degree) in cell biology, molecular biology, immunology, genetics, bioengineering, biomedical sciences, or a relevant scientific discipline completed prior to the fellowship start date. The program is intended for scientists immediately following their PhD training (graduated in 2026)Demonstrated record of scientific achievement (publications, presentations, patents, or equivalent)Experience with complex mammalian cell culture systems, such as organoids, stem-cell-derived models, or epithelial tissue modelsStrong experimental skills in molecular and cellular biologyInterest in disease mechanisms, translational research, advanced human in vitro models, and the integration of human genetic and single-cell omics dataAbility to work effectively in a multidisciplinary and collaborative environmentStrong communication, presentation, and scientific writing skillsStrong commitment to learning, innovation, and professional developmentDesirable RequirementsExperience with CRISPR-based genome engineeringExperience developing functional assays in complex intestinal modelsImportant:Please submit your CV and cover letter by July 15th 2026 end of day.In your cover letter, please describe your research interests, career aspirations, and how participation in the Novartis Biomedical Research Postdoctoral Fellowship Program will support your long-term development.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.Please note that we can only accept applicants who are eligible to work in Switzerland.