Major accountabilities:

• Actively participate in teams, projects, networks and/or platforms.  Fulfill all related tasks and respon-sibilities related to own discipline. (I) Proactively communicate key issues and any other critical topics in a timely manner to the appropriate management level and/or to any other relevant project team member(s). (I) Design, plan, perform and monitor all assigned activities. (I) Ensure quality, quantity and timelines in all assigned projects, networks and/or platforms. (I) Support and assign associates in specific projects and/or networks.  Coach on target dates and priori-ties. (Leadership)
• Proactively participate in budget forecast, grant preparation and tracking of invoices.  Ensure costs and cost awareness in all assigned projects and/or networks. (K) Advise team members and work according to appropriate SOP’s, GLP, GMP, OQM, HSE, ISEC and No-vartis guidelines. (N) Interpret results, evaluate data, draw relevant conclusions and write reports. (I)
• Contribute to optimization of scientific/technical activities in assigned projects, network and/or plat-forms.  Contribute to optimization of processes within the own area of responsibilities. (I) Contribute to risk analyses and/or peer review and process challenge meetings. (M) Generate and select most appropriate scientific documents to hand over to internal and/or external partners (TechOps, authorities, other companies). (I) Proactively support generation of international registration documents. Interact with authorities where appropriate. (U)  Interact/collaborate with Research and/or other functions in Development to facilitate transfer of knowledge and deliveries of DS and/or DP. (I)
• Actively support TRD as a technical expert on audits and inspections. (N) Actively support TRD as a technical expert on Due diligence teams.  Provide quality assessment of po-tential in-licensing products in a timely manner and support follow-up activities as appropriate. (I)  Proactively contribute to setting, updating and monitoring of team goals. Translate team goals into dai-ly work. (I)
• Support and facilitate the journey towards a multi-skilled, highly innovative and motivated workforce operating in a self-directed team set-up. Drive cultural evolution and change management.  Support a culture of exceptional performance and continuous improvement, enabling innovative, competitive, compliant and consistent delivery on objectives of teams, projects, networks and/or platforms. Inspire/coach/lead team members: support objectives setting, performance evaluations, development planning discussions and ensure all related tasks (objectives entered, help to identify needs for training courses and development of new skills, etc.) are performed appropriately. Participate in recruiting process. (Leadership)
• Ensure all own activities are aligned with overall drug development process. (B) Work according to appropriate SOPs, GMP, GLP, QM, HSE, ISEC & Novartis Guidelines. (N) Strategic and scientific contribution to Networks, target achievements according to network charter and annual objectives (I)
• Develop salt, co-crystal, and polymorphism screening, and physico-chemical characterization pro-grams and techniques. Supervise collection, analysis, and presentation of data. Work closely with the project team on optimal API form selection. Other duties as needed and/or assigned to support optimal API form selection and characterization. GMP experience required. Knowledge of molecular modeling would be a plus.

Minimum Requirements:

• A Ph.D. in a scientific or relevant discipline – with strong emphasis on solid state chemistry and 5+ years experience in pharmaceutical industry, or a strong MS candidate with 10+ years experience.
• Good knowledge of English (oral and written). Knowledge of Mandarin Chinese language is desirable but not required.
• Successfully demonstrated several years (mini-mum of 3 years) of directly related experience as principal scientist or equivalent. Recognized expertise in a specific area. Proven track record in utilization of special tools/equipment, lab automation tools and spe-cialized facilities e.g., containment/sterile labs.
• Thorough knowledge of state-of-art instrumenta-tion/equipment for broad field of applications. Thorough understanding of development pro-cesses in a specific function. Profound literature search skills. 
• Ability to work in and/or lead interdisciplinary and/or cross-cultural teams. Proven leadership skills. Strong knowledge of relevant SOP, GLP, GMP and Novartis regulations and policies. Strong communication skills.  Strong presenta-tion skills and scientific/technical writing skills.