Next Generation Scientist Program by Novartis and University of Basel
At Novartis, our mission is to discover new ways to improve and extend people’s lives. We use science-based innovation to address some of society’s most challenging healthcare issues. We discover and develop breakthrough treatments and find new ways to deliver them to as many people as possible.
Program Overview
The Next Generation Scientist Program by Novartis and University of Basel is an intensive internship program for talented and motivated research scientists from emerging countries.The 3 month program (1 June to 31 August 2017), hosted at the Novartis research site in Basel, Switzerland, is designed to foster both their scientific and professional development.Guided by Novartis mentors, the interns work on a jointly-agreed upon, precompetitive scientific or clinical research project and also participate in a leadership development program designed to enhance their decision-making and communication skills. Research projects expose selected scientists to state-of-the-art methodologies and leading experts in the fields while ensuring use within their home infrastructure.
Program Benefit
The Novartis and University of Basel Next Generation Scientist Program provides interns an opportunity to enrich their education by:
• working on a research project of interest to their local scientific and clinical communities
• augmenting their scientific capabilities through seminars, journal club, discussion
forums, and various educational courses
• networking and collaborating within the intern group, with their mentors, the greater
Novartis scientific community, and where possible, with other academic collaborators
• supporting their educational goals and scientific career development through mentorship
• certification and accreditation from University of Basel
Research Areas
An internship is possible in any of the broad range of therapeutic areas in which Novartis is involved with, e.g.:
• Oncology
• Neuroscience
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Immunology and Dermatology
• Respiratory
• Ophthalmology
Successful candidates will typically work in drug discovery and clinical research disciplines and departments such as:
• Analytical and Imaging Sciences
• Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics
• Biologics
• Modeling and Computer Simulation
• Biomarker Development
• Synthetic Chemistry
• Technical Drug Development and Formulations
• Epidemiology
• Statistics
• Epigenetics and Genomics
• Clinical Trials
• Safety
• Systems and Computational Biology
Included in the internship
• Scientific/Clinical Research Infrastructure and Training: All necessary equipment, training and operational needs (e.g. computers, supplies and reagents) will be provided by Novartis to support investigation of a jointly agreed-upon, pre-competitive (non-proprietary) scientific question or challenge.
• Travel, Accommodations & Visas: Novartis will provide (1) round-trip economy class airfare, (2) student accommodation for the duration of the project, and (3) application for educational visas to the Swiss authorities on behalf of the selected participants.
• Stipend and Health Insurance: Novartis will provide health insurance and a monthly stipend to cover incidentals and basic living expenses.
• Timelines & Location: The 3 month internship program is offered from 1 June to 31 August 2017 in Basel, Switzerland*.
Application Process
Please apply between 1 – 31 October 2016 online to http://www.novartis.com/careers, enter
the following Job ID: 196275BR and submit the following information in one PDF document
(max. 3 MB):
• CV or résumé
• Letter of recommendation/support from a faculty member
• Letter of motivation and program benefit
• Research question of interest
• Current MSc or PhD research proposal
• Academic transcripts/grade reports
*Projects at other Novartis sites may be considered
Please be informed that we accept online applications only during the above-mentioned dates.
Applications before or after the indicated date as well as incomplete documentation cannot be considered for the internship.
For more information about the Next Generation Scientist internship program please contact
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or for more information about Novartis, please visit www.novartis.com.
Download Next Generation Scientist Program Flyer and Fact Sheet HERE.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) hosted the e-Asia Project Implementation Workshop on Pulmonary Diseases induced/associated with Influenza and Tuberculosis in Asia last 17-18 October 2016.

The two-day workshop commenced with project visits organized by the Philippine Influenza and Tuberculosis teams led by Dr. Marilla Lucero of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and Dr. Jaime C. Montoya of PCHRD, respectively. Project teams from Japan and Viet Nam were able to observe the project developments of studies conducted at RITM and at the Tuberculosis - Directly Observed Treatment Shortcourse (TB-DOTS) Center in San Juan, Batangas through the research collaboration.
Member-countries presented their respective project progress reports and research outcomes during the second-day of the workshop. On behalf of Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development, DOST Assistant Secretary for International Cooperation, Dr. Leah Buendia delivered a message of support to the goal of the project – improving health outcomes in East Asia, particularly on influenza- and TB-induced diseases mitigation. “With the e-Asia project, we are closer to the time when tuberculosis and influenza will no longer be a public threat… I am very positive that all our research efforts will lead to a better health status for the East Asian region, particularly in alleviating influenza and tuberculosis prevalence,” she quoted.
e-Asia Project Leader Dr. Kazuo Suzuki of Teikyo University presented the research activities conducted by the teams since the project launched. Through the e-Asia project, member-countries were able to assess the rate of influenza and tuberculosis prevalence in their country. Detection of different strains of the viruses was also improved.
Japan tuberculosis team member, Dr. Naoto Keicho of the Research Institute of Tuberculosis JATA Tokyo, introduced some latest advancements in TB research – advanced spoligotyping softwares and next generation sequencer. Viet Nam influenza team leader, Dr. Phung Thi Bich Thuy, also shared how the e-Asia project promoted capacity building for the Viet Nam Children's Hospital staff in the detection and culture of the influenza virus.
As of September 2016, the Philippine influenza team reported that more consultations/admissions were reported in public health centers (66%) than in hospitals i.e. UP-Philippine General Hospital (26%) and Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (8%). Meanwhile, Dr. Anna Maria Lena Lopez of the University of the Philippines reported the findings of the Philippine tuberculosis team and reported a low prevalence of TB in children in San Juan, Batangas. The annualized TB notification rate for the disease has also gone up from 170 to 210 per 100,000 population. The surveillance study also led to the commencement of a TB study on children from San Juan, Batangas to Los Banos, Laguna

The delegates of the e-Asia Project Implementation Workshop on Pulmonary Infectious diseases induced/associated with influenza and TB
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The e-Asia project on pulmonary infectious diseases is set to end this 2016. Future plans of the project teams include request to continue researches on influenza and TB mitigation as well as the addition of new diseases that needs to be addressed in the East Asian region e.g. non-communicable diseases, cancer, and lifestyle diseases.
QUEZON CITY, Metro Manila- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), along with other government agencies, will celebrate the 2016 National Biotechnology Week (NBW) on 21-25 November 2016 at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), Department of Agriculture.

With the overall theme “Bioteknolohiya: Kaagapay ng Mamamayan sa Kaunlaran, Yakapin ang pagbabago, Biotek na tayo!,” NBW highlights the use of modern biotechnology as one of several means to achieve and sustain food security, equitable access to health services, and sustainable and safe environment.
As part of the celebration, the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), in partnership with the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), will conduct the Health Forum 2016 on 24 November 2016 to discuss the latest developments in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), drug discovery and development, genomics, and nutrition.
Expected speakers are Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana, University of the Philippines (UP) Manila Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Director, Prof. Gisela Padilla-Concepcion, UP Diliman Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Ms. Mildred Udarbe, and FNRI experts.
A weeklong exhibit of programs, projects, and technologies on biotechnology will also be held.
Other participating agencies for this year’s NBW celebration are Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
Interested to attend the Health Forum 2016? Please contact Ms. Ladylove May Baurile at 837-0031 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..■