Senior Screening Scientist

Novo Nordisk A/S; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Novo Nordisk A/S in Oxford is seeking a Senior Screening Scientist to lead design and application of functional genomics strategies for target identification, validation and maturation. You will work across multidisciplinary teams, combine experimental approaches and advanced screening technologies to deliver high-impact science.

You will mentor scientists, champion new technologies and provide scientific leadership, contributing to strategy and portfolio decisions within TIM and Novo Nordisk

Qualifications

• PhD in Functional Genomics, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics or related field.
• 5+ years of experience applying functional genomics in pharma/biotech/academic settings.
• Expertise in CRISPR-based functional genomics and screening technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and application of functional genomics strategies across target identification, validation and maturation.
• Partner with Automation Scientists to build automation-ready assay workflows.
• Design and lead medium-throughput screening campaigns with robust experimental design and data quality.
• Drive adoption of new functional genomics technologies to scale data generation and strengthen discovery.

Skills

CRISPR genomics

HTS campaigns

Automation assay design

Data analysis

Mentoring

Communication

Experimental design

Publications/patents

Education

PhD in Functional Genomics or related field

Job description

As Senior Screening Scientist, you’ll play a leading role in the identification, validation and maturation of novel therapeutic targets across Novo Nordisk's research portfolio. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced scientist to combine deep expertise in functional genomics, CRISPR technologies, advanced automated screening platforms and human biology to generate transformative insights that drive the next generation of therapies.

What you’ll bring

• A PhD in Functional Genomics, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics or a related scientific discipline, with significant industrial and/or postdoctoral experience.
• Typically, 5+ years of experience applying functional genomics approaches in pharmaceutical, biotechnology or academic research environments.
• Deep expertise in CRISPR-based functional genomics, including gene editing, gene perturbation and screening technologies.
• Proven experience designing, executing and interpreting functional genomics studies using physiologically relevant cellular systems.
• Experience leading medium- to high-throughput screening campaigns and translating results into project-driving biological insights.
• Experience developing assay strategies that are compatible with laboratory automation and scalable screening workflows.
• Strong knowledge of experimental design, statistics and data analysis, including the interpretation of large and complex biological datasets.
• A track record of scientific innovation demonstrated through impactful publications, platform development, patents or significant project contributions.
• Experience leading scientific initiatives, influencing research direction and contributing to multidisciplinary project teams.
• Experience with laboratory automation, advanced screening technologies and high-content phenotypic approaches.
• Ability to mentor and develop scientists while fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to present complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.

What you’ll do

As Senior Screening Scientist , you will lead the design and application of functional genomics strategies to support target identification, validation and maturation. Working across multidisciplinary teams, you will combine innovative experimental approaches, advanced screening technologies and biological insight to address complex research questions and inform key portfolio decisions. In this role, you will provide scientific leadership, influence research strategy, champion new technologies and mentor colleagues while delivering high-impact science in a collaborative research environment.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading the design and implementation of functional genomics strategies using siRNA, CRISPR-based perturbation technologies, gene editing and advanced human cellular models to identify and validate novel therapeutic targets.
• Providing scientific leadership in the development of automation-compatible assay workflows by partnering with Automation Scientists to ensure assays are robust, scalable and ready for deployment on automated screening platforms.
• Designing and leading medium-throughput screening campaigns, ensuring robust experimental design, data quality and scientific reproducibility.
• Driving the adoption of emerging functional genomics, screening and automation technologies to scale data generation and strengthen target discovery capabilities.
• Interpreting complex biological datasets and integrating functional genomics, phenotypic and disease biology data to generate actionable insights and inform project decisions.
• Acting as a scientific lead within multidisciplinary project teams, influencing research strategy and contributing to key go/no-go decisions.
• Building strong cross-functional collaborations and mentoring junior scientists to advance scientific objectives and develop team capabilities.
• Communicating scientific findings and recommendations to senior stakeholders through presentations, project reviews, publications and external scientific forums.
• Championing scientific excellence, data integrity and FAIR data principles.

In addition, you will contribute to departmental strategy, technology roadmaps and capability-building initiatives that strengthen TIM's functional genomics and target discovery capabilities.

Who you’ll work with

The Target Identification and Maturation (TIM) department, based at Novo Nordisk Research & Development UK (NNRCO) in Oxford, is part of Novo Nordisk Global Research. TIM plays a pivotal role in discovering, validating, and advancing novel therapeutic targets that address unmet patient needs across Novo Nordisk’s research portfolio. Leveraging cutting-edge human biology, advanced experimental platforms, computational approaches, and translational science, the department generates insights that enable target identification, mechanistic understanding, and target maturation towards project initiation.

Our multidisciplinary teams work across the target discovery value chain, integrating in vitro and in silico capabilities, functional genomics, screening technologies, data science, and disease biology to uncover and de-risk new therapeutic opportunities. While maintaining a strong focus on cardiometabolic diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and related co-morbidities, TIM also supports the exploration of emerging therapeutic areas and novel biological pathways.

The Oxford research centre thrives on collaboration. We maintain strong partnerships with leading academic institutions, particularly the University of Oxford, as well as biotechnology and technology partners worldwide. As part of a global research organisation, TIM works closely with colleagues in Denmark, Boston, and across Novo Nordisk Global Research to translate scientific discoveries into the next generation of innovative medicines for patients.

What you can expect here

You will join a scientific community where curiosity and patient focus are central to how we work, and where your expertise can help shape important decisions. You will be trusted to take ownership and make your voice heard, while being supported to grow through mentorship, collaboration, and challenging work across therapeutic areas and development stages.

Application Support

We are an equal opportunities employer, and we are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our applicants. If you are a person with a disability, or if you are neurodivergent and require adjustments during the application or selection process, please email [e-mail]. Please include your name, the role you are interested in, and the type of adjustment you need, so we can support you throughout the process.

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