Immune System Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Job Description Summary

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.
As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, you will join Diseases of Aging and Regenerative Medicine (DARe) in San Diego 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.

Job Description

Internal Job Title: Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow

Position Location: San Diego, CA, USA (Onsite)

* Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible for you.

* This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Please only apply if you are currently authorized to work in the US for the 3 year duration of the program.

* This is a full-time training position of up to three years in duration.

Research Opportunity:

The Diseases of Aging and Regenerative Medicine (DARe) department at Novartis investigates how the biology of aging contributes to disease and how these insights can be translated into transformative medicines. Our mission is to restore cell and tissue function by targeting the fundamental mechanisms that drive age-related decline across multiple disease areas.

We are seeking an exceptional Discovery Postdoctoral Fellow to join DARe in San Diego and develop an independent research project focused on understanding how the aging immune system influences tissue function, regeneration, and disease susceptibility. The fellow will have substantial freedom to shape project direction and build an independent scientific profile through high-impact publications, presentations, and external collaborations. Working alongside experienced mentors and a multidisciplinary network of scientists, the fellow will investigate how age-associated changes in the immune system influence tissue function, repair, and regenerative capacity, and explore approaches to restore regenerative potential in disease-relevant contexts.

Projects may leverage organoid systems, functional genomics, advanced imaging, single-cell profiling, genetic perturbation technologies, and in vivo disease models. Fellows will have access to Novartis' unique cross-disciplinary research ecosystem spanning human genetics, advanced screening, translational research platforms, and expertise across multiple therapeutic areas.

Why Join the Program?

The Novartis Biomedical Research Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is designed to develop the next generation of scientific leaders and power the future of medicine through rigorous research, and immersive learning experiences, including the implementation of AI tools in biomedical research.

Postdoctoral Research Fellows benefit from:

• Guidance from accomplished scientific leaders and subject matter experts

• Access to advanced technologies, platforms, and research capabilities

• Collaboration across disciplines and organizational boundaries

• A global and diverse community of postdoctoral fellows

• Dedicated programming 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 network

We 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 Together

At 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.

Start Date:

The start date for the 2026 Novartis BR Postdoctoral Fellowship Program cohort is October 2026. Please confirm your availability to meet this date in your cover letter.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and execute independent, hypothesis-driven research programs aligned with strategic disease biology questions.

• Develop and apply advanced in vitro and in vivo model systems to investigate how age-associated changes in the immune system influence tissue function, repair, and regeneration.

• Design, perform, and interpret molecular, cellular, and in vivo experiments to uncover mechanisms linking aging to tissue dysfunction.

• Develop innovative experimental and analytical approaches to investigate mechanisms of tissue regeneration, aging, and cellular plasticity.

• Communicate scientific findings through publications, internal meetings, and presentations at external scientific conferences.

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams spanning regenerative biology, immunology, data science, screening sciences, translational research, and therapeutic area biology.

Essential Requirements:

• PhD (or equivalent doctoral degree) in a relevant scientific discipline completed prior to the fellowship start date. The program is intended for scientists immediately following their PhD training (PhD conferred in 2026 only).

• Strong scientific background in immunology, aging biology, regenerative biology, developmental biology, stem cell biology, cell biology, or related discipline.

• Ability to conduct mechanistic studies to generate, test, and validate biological hypotheses.

• Demonstrated record of scientific achievement (publications, presentations, patents, or equivalent) and ability to independently drive research projects.

• Strong commitment to learning, innovation, and professional development

• Demonstrated hands-on experience in molecular, cellular, and in vivo biology, including cell, organoid, or ex vivo culture; imaging; phenotypic analysis; genetic perturbation approaches; and assay development.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a matrix environment.

Desirable Requirements:

• Experience investigating tissue-immune interactions in the context of aging, regeneration, or disease.

• Experience with animal models, tissue harvesting, and downstream tissue profiling approaches.

How to Apply:

Please submit your CV and cover letter by September 17th, 2026. 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.

Compensation & Benefits:

The starting salary for this position is 87,000 USD per year.

US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life anddisability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. Inaddition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days,holidays and other leaves. #LI-onsite

To learn more about the culture, rewards and benefits we offer our people click here.

EEO Statement:

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Accessibility and reasonable accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to us.reasonableaccommodations@novartis.com or call +1(877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Salary Range

$57,800.00 - $107,300.00

Skills Desired

Analytical Thinking, Chemical Biology, Chemistry, Clinical Research, Clinical Trials, Collaboration, Curious Mindset, Data Analysis, Detail-Oriented, Ethics, Gene Therapy, Immunology, Machine Learning (ML), Mammalian Cell Culture, Medical Research, Molecular Biology, Patient Care, Science