Associate Dir, Search & Evaluation (Platforms & AI)

This role is based in our Cambridge, MA office 3x/week.

About The Role

• Deliver against S&E and C&BD priorities by supporting AI-focused search, landscaping, triage, and evaluation activities across R&D.
• Execute structured landscapes in priority AI areas.
• Conduct initial assessment and triage of inbound and proactively sourced AI opportunities, including review of technical differentiation, data assets, validation evidence, model performance, IP position, implementation requirements, and strategic fit.
• Partner with internal scientific, clinical, data science, digital, legal/IP, procurement, finance, and BD&L colleagues to develop balanced opportunity assessments and identify key diligence questions.
• Prepare high-quality materials for internal review and governance, including opportunity summaries, competitive landscapes, diligence updates, and recommendation slides.
• Support external engagement with AI-focused companies, VCs, academic groups, and technology partners to build Novartis visibility and improve access to differentiated opportunities.
• Track external deal-making, financing, technology shifts, and competitive moves in AI-enabled drug discovery and development.
• Maintain organized documentation of AI landscapes, company interactions, triage rationale, and follow-up actions to support portfolio transparency and decision quality.

Responsibilities

• High-quality and timely evaluation of AI-enabled R&D opportunities.
• Robust landscape analyses that inform S&E priorities and governance decisions.
• Effective cross-functional alignment with all relevant stakeholders.
• Clear, decision-ready documentation of opportunity assessments, diligence findings, and strategic recommendations.
• Strong contribution to external ecosystem coverage across AI biotech, technology companies, academia, and venture investors.
• Development and maintenance of an up-to-date AI opportunity knowledge base and company tracking approach.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in life sciences, computational biology, chemistry, engineering, medicine, data science, or a related field strongly preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in biopharma R&D, AI-enabled life sciences, business development, strategy, consulting, venture, data science, or computational drug discovery.
• Strong understanding of drug discovery and development, with ability to evaluate how AI/ML, generative models, foundation models, knowledge graphs, lab automation, and data platforms can create R&D value.
• Strong understanding of AI-enabled target discovery, chemistry, biologics, translational science, clinical development, or digital/agentic tools.
• Experience assessing external technologies, companies, scientific platforms, or BD opportunities.
• Ability to synthesize technical, scientific, strategic, and business considerations into clear recommendations.
• Professional proficiency in Mandarin Chinese is preferred.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, life, and disability benefits.
• 401(k) with company contribution and match.
• Generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays, and other leaves.
• Performance-based cash incentive.
• Eligibility for annual equity awards (depending on role level).

Pay

The salary for this position is expected to range between $160,300 and $297,700 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like relevant skills and experience and is reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors.