Next Generation Scientist 2026

Basel (City)

Key information

Publication date:01 October 2025
Workload:100%
Place of work:Basel (City)

Job summary

Join Novartis for an exciting internship in Basel, Switzerland! This program boosts aspiring scientists' careers from low- and middle-income countries.

Tasks

Engage in a 3-month research project with Novartis mentors.
Participate in classroom sessions and leadership training programs.
Contribute to projects on diseases like malaria and dengue.

Skills

Must be enrolled in MSc, PhD, or MD programs from eligible countries.
Strong verbal and written English communication skills required.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively is essential.

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Summary

The Next Generation Scientist Program is an intensive internship program for talented and motivated research scientists from low- and middle-income countries. The 3-month program (01 June to 31 August 2026), hosted at our research site in Basel, Switzerland, is designed to foster both their scientific and professional development and consists of classroom sessions, group work assignments and active individual contribution. Guided by Novartis mentors, the interns work on a jointly agreed upon, pre-competitive scientific or clinical research project. Additionally, they learn about the pharmaceutical drug discovery and development process as well as participate in a leadership development program designed to enhance decision-making and communication skills. The internship program is run jointly by Novartis and the University of Basel.
The Next Generation Scientist Program aims to build scientific and leadership capability in low- and middle-income countries by enhancing the skills of local scientists and by facilitating the knowledge transfer to their wider scientific communities upon their return home. An internship is possible in any of the broad range of therapeutic areas in which Novartis is involved; scientists with background and interest in malaria, dengue, cryptosporidiosis, visceral leishmaniasis, leprosy, sickle cell disease or Chagas disease are encouraged to apply.

About the Role

Duration and dates: 12-week program from 01 June to 31 August 2026; onsite Basel Campus, Switzerland

Application :
Please make sure to add the following documents to your application, combined in one PDF file:
• CV or résumé
• Letter of recommendation/support from a faculty member

• Letter of motivation how the program will benefit you
• Research question of interest

• Current MSc or PhD research proposal

• Academic transcripts/grade reports

Minimum requirements:

Enrolled at university as MSc, PhD or MD student in a geography of scope (low- and middle-income country)

Preferred field of studies: Natural and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medicine, and related fields of study

Research background in malaria, dengue, cryptosporidiosis, visceral leishmaniasis, leprosy, sickle cell disease or Chagas disease preferred

Active participation in all program and training activities expected

Good verbal and written English communication skills

Ability to work independently and in groups

Time management and good organizational skills

Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Join our Novartis Network: Not the right Novartis role for you? Sign up to our talent community to stay connected and learn about suitable career opportunities as soon as they come up: https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network(link is external)

Benefits and Rewards: Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards