Director, Modeling & Simulation

About the role

Novartis is seeking a modelling and simulation leader to build and lead a team focused on multiscale disease modelling to support portfolio decision making across the Novartis pipeline.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing team focused on disease modelling, including recruitment, coaching, performance management, and talent development.
• Define and execute disease modelling strategies aligned with portfolio priorities, ensuring models address key decision questions across discovery and development.
• Develop and apply mechanistic disease models (e.g., QSP, systems biology, integrative PK/PD-disease frameworks) to understand disease progression, variability, and response to intervention.
• Drive portfolio-level impact, including modelling to support target selection, indication prioritisation, competitive differentiation, and probability of technical success.
• Collaborate with PKS and TM leadership to shape scientific priorities and ensure alignment with broader M&S and organisational strategy.
• Establish and evolve modelling platforms, workflows, and best practices that can be leveraged across disease areas and programs.
• Integrate diverse data sources (preclinical, clinical, omics, and external data) to enable robust, predictive disease models.
• Lead or contribute to cross-functional initiatives that advance modelling capabilities, including adoption of innovative approaches (e.g., AI-enabled methods, digital twins where relevant).
• Drive scientific excellence and continuous improvement, ensuring use of state-of-the-art methodologies and strengthening disease modelling capabilities across the organisation.
• Influence internal and external stakeholders, including contributions to scientific publications, consortia, and collaborations that enhance Novartis leadership in disease modelling.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in biology, bioengineering, pharmaceutical sciences, biophysics, or a related field.
• 10+ years of relevant postdoctoral, academic, industry, or government experience with a track record as a leader and individual contributor in one or more of the following fields: Disease Modeling, Pathway Modeling, Quantitative Pharmacology, Systems Pharmacology, Mechanistic Modeling.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including building and developing teams and delivering through both direct reports and matrix environments.
• Proven experience applying mechanistic or systems-level disease models to inform portfolio or program decisions.
• Strong understanding of drug discovery and development, and how modelling informs key transitions from discovery to clinical development.
• Experience influencing strategy through contributions to governance discussions, cross-functional teams, or scientific leadership initiatives.
• Track record of driving scientific innovation, including development or application of new methodologies, platforms, or modelling approaches.
• Strong collaboration and stakeholder engagement skills across scientific and clinical disciplines.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Established credibility in the M&S or quantitative pharmacology community (e.g., publications, collaborations, or scientific leadership).
• Fluency in English (oral and written).