Scientist - In Vivo Pharmacology

About the Department

Our Research & Development organization brings together the best minds in life science innovation. The teams located in facilities in Lexington, Watertown, Cambridge and Plainsboro reflect the full R&D continuum, from early research through late-stage clinical development. Here, we are building for the future, 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. Our R&D hub merges biotech speed and agility with large pharmaceutical company quality, resources, and stability, uniting the best of both worlds to develop new medicines for patients. This position is in the Diabetes Discovery Pharmacology team in the Diabetes Research US research area based in Lexington.

The Scientist I is expected to have a strong background in diabetes and metabolism research and be a self‑motivated team player with strong communication skills. The Scientist I will be expected to manage multiple activities in parallel and have a collaborative mind‑set with a strong personal drive and dedication. This position requires a flexible attitude and the ability to change focus as required by the projects and shifting priorities.

The Scientist I will be responsible for strategy implementation and operations for conducting and summarizing non‑clinical in vivo studies internally and externally in the support of new drug evaluations to support our Diabetes research pipeline. Design, coordinate, execute and report pre‑clinical pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic in vivo experiments and associated endpoints within research projects as part of target validation, target maturation, or mode‑of‑action studies.

Develop and improve in vivo models supporting non‑clinical studies, optimize and develop assays necessary for endpoint analyses, take an active role in research projects, and contribute to innovation by identifying and exploring new therapeutic targets and principles. Communicate evaluations and implications data packages internally, externally, and in regulatory submissions as relevant.

Occasionally demonstrates subject matter expertise. Perceived as area specialist within one or several processes across a VP/CVP area. Often sets directions and deliver results in own role which have a significant impact within the context of a wider operational area. Applies subject matter knowledge to solve common business issues. Handles most situations independently and with routine, receives minimal guidance, but will seek advice and guidance on more complex issues.

Demonstrated ability to identify better practice and create improvements in methods, techniques, approaches etc. Might be entirely independent or just need occasional guidance from manager/senior colleagues and may mentor/coach more junior colleagues.

Hands‑on work involving highly complex activities; may lead experiment teams comprising colleagues from different areas to support project goals; provides guidance regarding experimental strategies; responsible for setting study timelines to meet project deliverables, communicating study updates, & data generation, analyses, & reporting; may represent team or project at external conference; responsible for drafting reports & protocols with limited assistance from supervisor beyond reviews;

may actively participate in external collaborations; may recommend targets or new biologies or methodologies. May mentor or directly supervise less experienced team members based on business need, skill, and/or interest.

Reports to the head of the relevant department at Novo Nordisk. Internal relationships include working closely with technical staff & other members of the scientific leadership team; regular collaborations with members of other research departments at Novo Nordisk; & frequent interaction with project managers & other colleagues in Denmark. Individual may be responsible for indirect reports or contingent workers. Individual will interact with external research collaborators both academia‑ & industry‑based.