Pilot Scientist, Manufacturing Process Engineering

Novo Nordisk; Denmark; On-site; DKK 570,000 - 838,000; Full time

Job summary

Novo Nordisk in Bagsværd, Denmark is seeking a Pilot Scientist to translate laboratory processes into scalable pilot-scale manufacturing solutions for API production in clinical and non-clinical development.

You will lead process development, scale-up, and execution of manufacturing processes, collaborating across scientists, technicians, engineers, and stakeholders to develop robust and scalable solutions. The role emphasizes scientific ownership and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Strong foundation in chemical engineering, biotechnology, chemistry or related fields.
• Experience translating lab processes into scalable manufacturing.
• Knowledge of process scale-up and pilot-scale manufacturing activities.
• Experience with purification, recovery, and related technologies.
• Understanding of GxP, quality systems, data integrity and scientific documentation.
• Strong scientific communication and stakeholder collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coordinate, execute, and report scientific activities within process development and pilot-scale manufacturing.
• Support scale-up of laboratory processes into robust pilot-scale manufacturing processes.
• Act as scientific lead for assigned projects and technical development activities.
• Support production of APIs for clinical and non-clinical studies.
• Design and optimize equipment setups for safe, compliant, efficient execution.
• Prepare development reports and input for technical design reviews.

Skills

Scientific communication

Documentation

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Independent working

Prioritization

Education

Chemical Engineering

Biotechnology

Chemistry

Job description

Are you passionate about transforming scientific discoveries into robust manufacturing processes?

Join our Manufacturing Process Engineering environment and play a key role in scaling laboratory processes into pilot-scale manufacturing solutions that support the development of innovative therapies. As a Pilot Scientist, you will combine scientific expertise, process development, and hands-on problem solving to help deliver active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) for clinical and non-clinical development.

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of science and manufacturing, where your contributions will directly influence how new medicines are developed and brought closer to patients.

The Position

As a Pilot Scientist, you will be responsible for the scientific development, scale-up, and execution of manufacturing processes. You will work with purification of API, while ensuring compliance with quality, safety, and regulatory requirements.

You will take scientific ownership of allocated projects and collaborate with scientists, technicians, engineers, and stakeholders across the organization to develop robust and scalable manufacturing solutions.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Leading, coordinating, executing, and reporting scientific activities within process development and pilot-scale manufacturing.
• Supporting the scale-up of laboratory processes into robust and reproducible pilot-scale manufacturing processes.
• Acting as scientific lead for assigned projects and technical development activities.
• Supporting the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients for clinical and non-clinical studies.
• Designing and optimizing equipment set-ups to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient process execution.
• Preparing scientific, technical, and regulatory documentation, including development reports and technical design review input.
• Ensuring data integrity and high-quality scientific documentation in accordance with quality standards.
• Providing scientific guidance to technicians, including troubleshooting, training, and knowledge sharing.
• Participating in cross-functional project teams and technical design reviews.
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives, including LEAN activities and knowledge-sharing efforts.
• Ensuring compliance with GxP, quality, environmental, health, and safety requirements.

Qualifications

To succeed in this role, you have a strong scientific foundation combined with an interest in translating complex laboratory processes into scalable manufacturing solutions.

You hold:

• An education on Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Chemistry or other related fields, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience within process development, bioprocessing, manufacturing process engineering, API production, or a related scientific discipline.
• Knowledge of process scale-up and pilot-scale manufacturing activities.
• Experience with cultivation, recovery, purification processes, or modified proteins, peptides, and side-chain technologies.
• An understanding of regulated environments, including GxP, quality management systems, data integrity, and scientific documentation.
• Strong scientific communication, documentation, and stakeholder collaboration skills.

Experience with API manufacturing, equipment design and set-up, contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs), contract research organizations (CROs), or technology transfer activities is considered an advantage but is not required.

As a person, you are

• Curious and motivated by scientific problem-solving.
• Proactive, accountable, and solution-oriented.
• Comfortable working independently while collaborating effectively across functions.
• Able to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Skilled at communicating complex scientific concepts to different audiences.
• Passionate about continuous improvement, knowledge sharing, and teamwork.

Working at Novo Nordisk

You will join a collaborative scientific environment in Bagsværd, where scientists and technicians work together to develop, scale, and execute manufacturing processes. While the role has no direct people management responsibility, you will provide scientific leadership and support to technicians working on your projects.

You will collaborate closely with colleagues across Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls Development, Quality Assurance, Research & Development, Regulatory Affairs, and Product Supply. Depending on project needs, you may also engage with external partners such as CMOs, CROs, equipment suppliers, and consultants.

The role offers significant scientific ownership, broad exposure across process development and manufacturing activities, and the opportunity to influence how future manufacturing processes are designed, optimized, and implemented.

Incentives and Benefits

The salary package may include short-term and/or long-term incentives as well as other employee benefits based on position level, location, functional area and relevant market benchmarks. Learn more about our Reward Philosophy.

Salary: For this role, the Annual Base Salary ranges from 570,200 to 838,100 DKK (DK), corresponding to the level of the position.

The placement within the salary range will be assessed during the recruitment process based on the candidate's skills, competencies, knowledge and relevant experience.

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

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