Sr Downstream Scientist

Novo Nordisk A/S; Denmark; On-site; DKK 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Sr Downstream Scientist (gn) at Novo Nordisk A/S in Denmark will guide process transfer, implementation and batch execution for downstream purification and drying at CMOs, ensuring scientific rigor at scale. You will contribute to technical documentation, validation and regulatory submissions to advance peptide-based therapies.

The role involves cross-functional collaboration, troubleshooting, and authoring regulatory documents, with approx. 20% travel to partner sites.

Qualifications

• MsC or PhD in chemical/biochemical sciences, chemical engineering or equivalent.
• Experience with downstream purification of peptide- or protein-based therapeutics.
• Experience with scale-up and process transfer to large-scale manufacturing.
• Solid GMP experience from cGMP-regulated manufacturing areas.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific and technical stewardship during process transfer at CMOs.
• Lead characterisation work for downstream purification and drying steps.
• Own deliverables in cross-organisational groups for process transfer and validation.
• Troubleshoot process execution at CMOs and assess changes.
• Act as SME in cross-functional projects and finalise documentation.
• Author, co-author and review regulatory registration documents.

Skills

Downstream purification

Scale-up & transfer

GMP experience

Equipment & automation

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Travel readiness

Education

MsC or PhD in chemical/biochemical sciences

Tools

Chromatography equipment

Filtration equipment

Job description

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Sr Downstream Scientist (gn)

Your impact begins here

As Sr Downstream Scientist, you will help bring synthetic peptide processes from development into reliable, large-scale manufacturing at our contract manufacturing organisations (CMOs). You will guide process transfer, implementation and batch execution for downstream purification and drying, making sure the science holds up at scale. Your expertise will keep technical documentation, validation and regulatory submissions moving – so peptide-based treatments can progress towards the people living with serious chronic diseases who need them.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Provide scientific and technical stewardship during process transfer, process development and batch execution at CMOs, including evaluating proposed equipment trains, handling, unit operations and manufacturing plans.
• Get to know processes on site at CMOs and lead characterisation work for downstream purification and drying steps.
• Own assigned deliverables in cross-organisational groups for technical transfer, batch execution and evaluation, and process validation.
• Troubleshoot process execution at CMOs, assess process changes and deviations, and take part in systematic problem solving.
• Act as process and product subject matter expert in cross-functional projects, helping finalise scientific and technical documentation on time and at the right scientific level.
• Author, co-author and review regulatory registration documents.

Who you’ll work with

You will join the Downstream & Engineering Team in Synthetic API Manufacturing Science and Technology (MSAT), part of API Manufacturing. The team works at the interface between CMC and full-scale manufacturing, focusing on process understanding, implementation, optimisation and life cycle management.

Your closest partners will be colleagues in Upstream & Downstream Development and analytical teams, Global Contract Manufacturing (GCM), Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Sourcing, and our pilot and production facilities – as well as the external partners at our CMOs. Bringing these perspectives together, and creating clarity when things stall, is how you will help processes move from plan to successful batch.

What you’ll bring

You don't need to tick every box. If you meet most of the points below and are eager to learn the rest, we would like to hear from you.

• A MsC or PhD in chemical or biochemical sciences, chemical engineering or an equivalent field.
• Extensive experience with downstream purification of peptide- or protein-based therapeutics in commercial and/or late-phase drug substance manufacturing.
• Experience with scale-up and process transfer to large-scale manufacturing.
• Solid GMP experience from cGMP-regulated manufacturing areas, preferably for commercial processes, and a clear understanding of GMP requirements for drug substance manufacturing.
• Good technical and practical knowledge of equipment and automation, and a practical understanding of at-scale unit operations for chromatographic separation and filtration.
• A practical, solution-oriented approach that turns theory into workable answers to technical challenges.
• Clear communication and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders across development and production – working well in a team and independently on complex tasks to keep progress on time.
• Readiness to travel approximately 20% of the time.

Working at Novo Nordisk

Every day we seek the solutions that defeat serious chronic diseases. To do this, we approach our work with determination, constant curiosity and a commitment to finding better ways forward. For over 100 years, this dedication has driven us to build a company focused on lasting change for long-term health. Here, you'll find a culture where innovation isn't just encouraged – it's expected. Where diverse thinking and bold experimentation are valued because we know that's how breakthroughs happen. And where your analytical insights don't just sit in reports – they drive real decisions that impact millions of patients globally. When you join us, you're not just starting a job – you're becoming part of a story that spans generations.

What we offer

At Novo Nordisk, you'll join a global healthcare company with a unique culture and strong results. We offer continuous learning, career development, and benefits tailored to your life and career stage.

Incentives und 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.

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

We run an inclusive recruitment process and offer equality of opportunity to all applicants.