• Job Description

  Req#: 281606

  About the Department

  Our US Research & Development hub, located in the Greater Boston area, brings together the best talent to drive life science innovation. Located in Lexington, Watertown and Cambridge, our teams reflect the full scope of R&D, from early research through late-stage clinical development. We are building for the future by creating a distinct R&D community based on collaboration, partnerships, and cutting-edge research across multiple modalities and therapeutic areas. We recognize that improving human health starts here and that patients rely on us. By combining the speed and agility of biotech with the quality, resources, and stability of a large pharmaceutical company, our US R&D hub will benefit from the best of both worlds to develop new medicines that meet the needs of patients

  The Position

  The Target Discovery Engine (TDE) is a global, multidisciplinary team that focuses on accelerating the path of target discovery and validation at Novo Nordisk. Scientists, in the TDE, take a human-centric approach to drug discovery, utilizing cutting-edge approaches to model human disease combined with advanced techniques in functional genomics and machine learning to identify and characterize novel targets. By do so, the TDE team aims to redefine how the industry approaches target discovery, with the ambition of accelerating the drug discovery process, through unlocking a deeper understanding of disease and treatment outcomes. Scientists in the TDE work in a highly cross-functional manner with the Therapeutic Areas and teams such as Global Research Technologies and Digital Science & Innovation to bring innovative therapies to patients more efficiently and improve the lives of those living with chronic conditions.

  The Director of Discovery Biology, TDE Boston, will be responsible for recruiting and leading a team of highly skilled scientists and associates with expertise in, in vitro modeling of human cardio-metabolic disease. The Discovery Biology team (Boston) will be responsible for defining and driving projects to advance the NN target discovery portfolio.

  Relationships

  Reports to the Vice President of the Target Discovery Engine. The person in this role will also be responsible for facilitating strong collaborations across global TDE teams (in China and Europe) and ensure efficient delivery of target discovery efforts. Additional internal relationships include working with research employees, project managers, as well as with global colleagues in the therapeutic areas of Novo Nordisk Inc. This position may have direct reports. External relationships including those with: contract research organizations, key opinion leaders, innovative academic and biotech partners.

  Essential Functions

  • As a key member of TDE, Boston leadership, this person will propose and drive scientific research strategies and ensure alignment with therapeutic areas to deliver on goals and ambitions
  • Will work with project management and the VP of TDE to ensure operations and budget are appropriately and efficiently managed
  • Work with the VP and global TDE leaders to develop a project portfolio for the Boston team to focus on and deliver into the broader TDE strategy
  • Responsible for developing a team and program for monitoring safety and behavior risks associated with novel targets
  • Responsible for developing a workflow and team to support research programs for target discovery, with an emphasis on validation. Coaching and mentoring of scientists in the team to work on defining a critical path for each project and efficient delivery of data to enable go/no-go decisions. Will do this through building and maintaining strong relationships and collaborations with internal scientists and external researchers, by driving personnel development and ensuring team is engaged and fully supported to achieve goals and developing a strategy with the leadership team
  • Develop, mentor, advise and coach next-generation leadership for within the TDE and Boston Research Teams
  • Promote relevant cross-organizational collaborations and relevant external collaborations with academia to facilitate constant development of the departments core technologies
  • Responsible for efficient transfer and knowledge sharing with key stakeholders in global sites, including China and Europe
  • Responsible for the internal and external communication of department strategies, progress and challenges

  Physical Requirements

  Up to 10% overnight travel required.

  Qualifications

  • Requirements: a PhD in molecular or cellular biology, or other related fields
  • Minimum of 15+ years of relevant experience
  • Relevant experience includes:
    • Scientific expertise in diabetes and/or obesity
    • Demonstrated track record of delivery through clear contributions to projects that have progressed into the clinic

  • Demonstrated leadership in defining scientific strategies for projects related to target identification/validation and/or progression of a drug discovery programs
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, including, including the development of clear agenda, meeting leadership, drawing groups to good conclusions, and communicating scientific results and content across international sites and stakeholders from many parts of a complex multinational organization
  • Capable of adaptively managing priorities amidst fluctuating circumstances
  • Demonstrates commitment and consistent achievement of goals through constructive collaboration with colleagues
  • Experience with navigating and thriving in complex research environments and organizations
  • Possesses a developed business mindset
  • Serves as a role model by displaying initiative and enthusiasm
  • Capable of adaptively managing priorities amidst fluctuating circumstances

  We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

  At Novo Nordisk we recognize that it is no longer good enough to aspire to be the best company in the world. We need to aspire to be the best company for the world and we know that this is only possible with talented employees with diverse perspectives, backgrounds and cultures. We are therefore committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates the diversity of our employees, the patients we serve and communities we operate in. Together, we’re life changing.

  Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.

  If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

• About the company

  Novo Nordisk A/S is a Danish multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Bagsværd, Denmark, with production facilities in eight countries, and affiliates or offices in 5 countries.

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