Senior Scientist - Neurobiology and Metabolism

About The Department

Obesity Neurobiology US enables obesity drug discovery by delivering human-relevant nervous system biology that supports target discovery, validation, and translational decision-making in appetite regulation, energy balance, and related cardiometabolic biology. The department generates decision-enabling mechanistic data to improve target selection, accelerate progression, and reduce translational risk across the portfolio. The team combines advanced in-vitro models with receptor pharmacology, functional cellular assays, electrophysiology, genetic perturbation, and multi-omics approaches.

We work closely with in-vivo pharmacology, chemistry, computational biology, translational, and global project teams, as well as external academic and biotechnology partners, to build robust scientific rationales and progress novel therapeutic concepts.

Obesity Neurobiology US enables obesity drug discovery by delivering human-relevant nervous system biology that supports target discovery, validation, and translational decision-making in appetite regulation, energy balance, and related cardiometabolic biology. The department generates decision-enabling mechanistic data to improve target selection, accelerate progression, and reduce translational risk across the portfolio. The team combines advanced in-vitro models with receptor pharmacology, functional cellular assays, electrophysiology, genetic perturbation, and multi-omics approaches.

We work closely with in-vivo pharmacology, chemistry, computational biology, translational, and global project teams, as well as external academic and biotechnology partners, to build robust scientific rationales and progress novel therapeutic concepts.

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist with deep expertise in neurobiology, metabolism, and receptor pharmacology to advance nervous system focused drug discovery for obesity and cardiometabolic disease. The successful candidate will lead and contribute to target and project data packages, provide hands‑on scientific direction for complex preclinical studies, and connect mechanistic findings across human-relevant cellular systems, in-vivo pharmacology, and translational evidence.

This role is designed for a scientist who can combine rigorous experimental execution with project-level leadership. The individual will champion selected targets or projects, shape experimental strategy, coordinate cross-functional activities, and communicate clear conclusions and recommendations to project teams and governance stakeholders. The Senior Scientist will also help strengthen departmental capabilities in human-relevant preclinical models, receptor signaling, functional assay development, and mechanism-of-action research.

Reports to the Head of Obesity Neurobiology US at Novo Nordisk in Massachusetts. Internal relationships include close collaboration with scientists, technical staff, and leadership within Obesity Research US, in‑vivo pharmacology, chemistry, computational and digital biology, translational research, and project management; and partners across global Research & Development. The individual may guide the work of junior colleagues and will interact with external collaborators in academia, biotechnology, and contract research organizations.

• Champion or co‑lead selected targets and discovery projects from ideation and endorsement through target validation, maturation, and early project milestones.
• Build scientific rationales and decision‑enabling data packages that support project prioritization, governance reviews, and go/no‑go recommendations.
• Serve as biology coordinator or scientific lead for cross‑functional project teams,…