Global Head of Technology & Architecture in Biomedical Research (BR)

Novartis seeks a Global Head of Technology & Architecture in Biomedical Research to lead IT strategy for drug discovery and early clinical development. Based in Basel, this full-time hybrid role requires deep expertise in AI, data platforms, and cloud architecture, with a focus on advancing research informatics and lab of the future initiatives.

This role will lead the technology and architecture strategy for Novartis’s Biomedical Research organization, driving innovation in data and AI platforms to support drug discovery. The leader will shape next-generation research informatics, aligning with global digital and data strategies, and will report to the Chief Data & Digital Officer, BR, while collaborating with the Data, Digital, and IT leadership teams.

Responsibilities

• Deliver advanced research informatics solutions to accelerate discovery of new treatments using data and digital technologies, improving the researcher experience.
• Oversee the evolution of Biomedical Research’s technology infrastructure, making strategic 'make or buy' decisions for software and architecture in alignment with DDIT.
• Lead the design and long-term development of next-generation Data & AI Platforms for global biomedical research, including multi-year vision and roadmap.
• Support the creation of a global digital strategy for AI-driven drug discovery, leveraging Data Science, (Gen) AI, and machine learning.
• Advance the 'lab of the future' initiative from an informatics standpoint, collaborating with lab automation and equipment experts.
• Work with Novartis DDIT and the BR Data Science community to develop and execute digital and AI strategies for Biomedical Research.
• Assess emerging technologies such as agentic workflows, vector databases, GPU infrastructure, lab digitalization, and quantum computing, and adapt them into practical research capabilities.
• Provide strategic technology insights and vision to the President of Research and BR’s scientific leadership, serving as a trusted advisor to top management.
• Partner with DDIT functions to prioritize enterprise-wide solutions and identify synergies across teams.
• Build and lead a diverse, inclusive, high-performing team, fostering a collaborative and enterprise-focused culture.

Requirements

• PhD or master’s degree in computer science, data science, AI, computational biology, cheminformatics, or a related field.
• 12+ years of experience in platform engineering, architecture, infrastructure, data engineering, cloud architecture, research lab technologies, or ML infrastructure, including 8+ years in leadership roles.
• Deep knowledge of modern AI/ML workflows, including LLMs, model training and serving, monitoring, MLOps, and GPU infrastructure.
• Expertise in cloud-native architectures, microservices, APIs, Kubernetes, Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC), observability tools, and high-performance computing.
• Familiarity with scientific research workflows and data types such as omics, imaging, real-world data, and lab-generated data.
• Proven ability to translate research and business needs into platform capabilities, and to communicate technical constraints in business terms.
• Extensive experience leading multidisciplinary, global teams in matrixed and fast-changing environments.
• Demonstrated success in influencing and collaborating across scientific, technical, and business stakeholders, including senior leadership, with strong stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation abilities, with the capacity to explain complex technical topics to diverse audiences.
• Strong capability to manage complexity and drive collective impact with an enterprise-wide mindset.

Nice to have

• A background combining technology and life sciences is strongly preferred.