AI Specialist in Biomedical Research Full Time

Looking for a role where artificial intelligence meets real-world medical impact? Novartis is hiring an AI Specialist in Biomedical Research at its global headquarters in Basel, Switzerland. This is a full-time position within the Novartis Biomedical Research division, where you will work at the intersection of machine learning, drug discovery, and patient outcomes. If you have a background in AI or data science and want your work to contribute to life-changing therapies, this opportunity deserves your attention.

Quick Overview — AI Specialist in Biomedical Research, Novartis

About Novartis — The Employer

Novartis is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland. With a mission to reimagine medicine and improve outcomes for patients globally, Novartis employs approximately 78,000 people across more than 140 countries. The company is consistently ranked among the top global pharma firms and invests heavily in research and development — spending over billion annually on R&D. Novartis has built a strong reputation for innovation in gene therapy, oncology, and cardiovascular medicine, and its Biomedical Research division is central to discovering the next generation of treatments.

Working at Novartis means joining a culture that values scientific curiosity, collaboration across borders, and a genuine commitment to patient well-being. The Basel campus itself is a major hub for biomedical research, housing state-of-the-art laboratories and attracting talent from around the world. For anyone serious about building a career in pharmaceutical AI, Novartis offers one of the most credible and well-resourced environments in Europe.

What Does an AI Specialist in Biomedical Research Do at Novartis?

As an AI Specialist in the Biomedical Research division, you will apply machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to accelerate drug discovery and development. This is not a generic data science role — it is specifically embedded within Novartis’s research pipeline, meaning your models and analyses will directly influence which compounds advance toward clinical trials and ultimately reach patients.

Day-to-day responsibilities include designing and implementing AI models for target identification, biomarker discovery, and patient stratification. You will collaborate closely with bench scientists, translational researchers, and clinical teams to translate biological questions into computational problems. The role also involves working with large-scale genomic, chemical, and clinical datasets, requiring both technical depth and the ability to communicate insights to non-technical stakeholders.

This position sits at the core of Novartis’s strategy to integrate AI across its R&D operations. The company has publicly committed to scaling AI-driven drug discovery, making this a strategically important hire rather than a peripheral one. If you want your AI expertise to contribute to tangible medical breakthroughs, this is the kind of role that delivers on that promise.

Key Skills and Qualifications

Novartis has outlined specific requirements for this AI Specialist role. Below is a summary of what they are looking for:

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MSc or PhD) in Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Machine Learning, or a closely related field
• Proven experience developing and deploying machine learning models in a research or industry setting
• Strong programming skills in Python, including familiarity with ML frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or scikit-learn
• Experience working with biomedical or life sciences data (genomics, proteomics, chemical biology, or clinical data)
• Ability to collaborate across disciplines — working effectively with biologists, chemists, and clinical researchers

Preferred Qualifications

• Published research in AI or machine learning applied to drug discovery or biomedical problems
• Experience with deep learning architectures (transformers, graph neural networks, or generative models)
• Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) for large-scale model training
• Knowledge of drug development pipelines and regulatory considerations
• Experience with data engineering pipelines and MLOps practices

Salary and Benefits

Salary: Not specified by the employer. Novartis typically offers competitive compensation packages aligned with Swiss pharmaceutical industry standards. Basel-based AI and data science roles at major pharma companies generally range from CHF 100,000 to CHF 160,000 annually for mid-level specialists, though the exact figure depends on experience and qualifications. We strongly recommend discussing compensation directly with the Novartis recruitment team during the interview process.

Benefits: As a global pharmaceutical leader, Novartis provides a comprehensive benefits package that typically includes health and dental insurance, pension contributions, performance-based bonuses, professional development budgets, relocation support, and access to on-site amenities at the Basel campus. Specific benefits will be confirmed during the hiring process.

Visa and Work Permit Information

Visa sponsorship: Not specified by the employer in the job posting. Switzerland has specific work permit categories for non-EU nationals, including the EU Blue Card (for highly qualified professionals) and standard B permits. If you are an international applicant, we recommend reaching out to the Novartis recruitment team directly to clarify whether visa support is available for this role. You may also find our guide on visa sponsorship jobs helpful for understanding the general process.

Who Is This Job Best Suited For?

This AI Specialist role is ideal for professionals who already have a solid foundation in machine learning and want to apply their skills to biomedical challenges rather than traditional tech industry problems. If you are a data scientist, ML engineer, or computational biologist who finds purpose in contributing to human health, this position aligns well with that ambition.

The role suits candidates who are comfortable operating in a cross-functional environment where scientific rigour matters as much as technical performance. You will not just be building models in isolation — you will be interpreting results alongside domain experts and iterating on solutions based on biological feedback. Strong communication skills and a genuine interest in the science behind the data are essential.

For those considering relocation to Switzerland, Basel offers an exceptional quality of life, a vibrant international community, and proximity to both France and Germany. The city is a major European hub for pharmaceutical and life sciences research, making it a compelling destination for anyone building a career in this space. Our international job search guide covers practical steps for relocating abroad.

How to Apply

To apply for the AI Specialist in Biomedical Research position at Novartis, follow these steps:

1. Visit the official Novartis careers page for this role
2. Create or log in to your Novartis Workday account
3. Complete the online application form with your personal and professional details
4. Upload your CV/resume and a cover letter highlighting your relevant AI and biomedical experience
5. Submit your application before the deadline of June 26, 2026

Important: Always apply through the official Novartis careers portal. Do not apply through third-party sites or send personal documents to unofficial email addresses. If you are unsure about the legitimacy of a job posting, check our scam alerts page for guidance.

Documents to Prepare

• An up-to-date CV or resume that highlights your machine learning and biomedical research experience
• A cover letter explaining why you are interested in applying AI to drug discovery at Novartis
• Copies of academic degrees and transcripts (especially relevant for PhD holders)
• A portfolio or links to published papers, GitHub repositories, or project summaries demonstrating your AI work
• Professional references from previous supervisors or collaborators

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a remote position?

The job posting indicates this role is based in Basel, Switzerland. There is no mention of remote or hybrid arrangements. You should confirm the working model directly with the Novartis recruitment team during the application process.

Does Novartis provide visa sponsorship for this role?

Visa sponsorship is not explicitly stated in the job posting. As a major global employer, Novartis does sponsor work permits for qualified international hires, but this varies by role and location. Contact the Novartis recruiting team to confirm whether visa support is available for this specific position.

What is the salary range for this AI Specialist role?

Novartis has not disclosed the salary in the job posting. Swiss pharmaceutical companies typically offer competitive packages. We recommend discussing compensation expectations during the interview process.

When is the application deadline?

The application deadline listed on the Novartis careers page is June 26, 2026. We recommend applying as early as possible, as positions may close sooner if a sufficient number of qualified applicants are received.

Do I need a PhD to apply?

An advanced degree (MSc or PhD) in a relevant field is required. While a PhD is preferred — especially for roles involving original research — candidates with a strong MSc and significant industry experience in applied machine learning should not be discouraged from applying.

Related Opportunities

If this Novartis AI Specialist role interests you, you might also want to explore other technology and healthcare positions on JobsRivo:

• Senior Software Developer at Philips, Eindhoven (Netherlands) — another major healthcare tech company hiring in Europe
• Software Engineer at Google Singapore — for those considering AI roles in Asia-Pacific
• Accounting Policies Specialist at Siemens Healthineers, Germany — healthcare sector roles in the DACH region

Disclaimer: This job listing is provided for informational purposes only. JobsRivo is not affiliated with Novartis and does not participate in the hiring process. All details, including deadlines and requirements, are based on information available on the official Novartis careers page at the time of writing. Always verify details on the employer’s official website before applying. For more information, please read our disclaimer.