Translational Medicine Expert – Dermatology, Associate Director

Job Summary

Location: Basel, Switzerland

As a Translational Medicine Expert (TME), you will provide medical and scientific expertise and leadership to:

• Drive success of early global programs, develop and implement strategies to achieve Transition Decision Point (TDP)
• Drive success of late global programs by developing and implementing strategies, which lead to clinical pharmacology and profiling packages that meet regulatory requirements and support differentiated and competitive drug labeling.
• Support translational research in developing new indications, endpoints and biomarkers, using in vitro, in vivo, or in silico methods.
• Provide scientific expert assessments and support for in‑licensing opportunities, including due diligences.

• Early Clinical Projects (Phase I / II, “Discovery”) – Develop, in collaboration with the dermatology TA and work with teams to carry out strategies for the Translational Medicine component of drug development projects from research to TDP in single or multiple indications, including post‑indication expansion (PIE) projects.

• Late‑Stage Clinical Projects (post‑TDP, “Profiling”) – In collaboration with the dermatology TA Head, act as a key leader in developing the Phase 2–3 and post‑approval profiling strategy for drug programs, representing TMDP on the Global Project Team along with other TM line functions. Provide support for dose selection, study design, and other clinical pharmacology matters throughout the development cycle. Oversee conduct and interpretation of studies prioritized to support the pivotal trials, such as special populations, drug‑drug interactions, mechanism of action assessments, Pediatric Investigational Plan, etc.

• Translational Research (TR; indication seeking, endpoint and biomarker development) – In collaboration with the dermatology TA Head,   research scientists, and other TM line functions (BMD, CS&I, PCS, PKS), develop strategies to identify initial or expansion (PIE) indications and obtain sufficient evidence to fund these ideas.

• Business Development and Licensing (BD&L; in‑licensing and out‑licensing compounds) – Participate on BD&L teams as the TM representative.

• General Responsibilities

  • Responsible for clinical monitoring and integrated safety data review during and after the live phase of a study.
  • Provide medical and scientific leadership and expertise to all line functions on the study team.
  • Represent clinical Translational Medicine aspects to health authorities and other stakeholders (e.g. payers, patient advocacy groups).
  • Oversee publication strategy for TM studies; lead writing of scientific publications and present study results externally where appropriate.

• Leadership

  • Lead study‑specific teams/clinical trial teams in partnership with other line functions.
  • Lead  ‑sub‑team(s) on Global Project Teams for late‑phase programs.
  • Collaborate closely with other TM (especially CS&I) and non‑TM (especially Project Management) line functions to ensure operational excellence, continued urgency, and close attention to timelines, costs, and subject burden in balance with high scientific standards and innovation.

• Doctoral degree, MD
• Board certified Dermatologist
• Preferably Ph.D. within dermatology/immunology
• At least 5 years’ experience in a pharmaceutical/biotech company, CRO, or academic medical center, or related experience
• Innovation:
  Seeks out new clinical discovery opportunities and approaches to reach TDP
• Recognized expert in field, driving success for individual studies and projects; respected by colleagues across R&D, Development, and externally
• Fluent oral and written English

Competitive base salary, performance‑based bonus, long‑term equity awards, insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources, global recognition programs, flexible and hybrid working options, and a minimum of 14 weeks paid parental leave.

• -  CHF Annual

The base salary offered is determined based on gender‑neutral objectives such as relevant skills, competencies and experience in accordance with the Novartis pay setting policy and will be reviewed periodically upon joining…