Principal Scientist - Drug Discovery (Diabetes)

BioSpace; Waltham (MA); On-site; USD 185,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k) and savings plans

Job summary

Novo Nordisk in the US (Waltham) seeks a scientific leader to drive diabetes translational in vitro research, guiding a global, cross-functional team in discovery efforts and advising management. You will establish and utilize molecular approaches, cellular assays, and read-outs to investigate mechanisms of novel drug candidates.

You will lead complex tasks in a fast-paced environment, present results to teams and management, and foster external collaborations while advancing lab platforms for

Qualifications

• Master’s degree with 12+ years of relevant experience, or PhD with 8+ years of relevant experience.
• Proven scientific track-record and understanding of Diabetes pathophysiology and in vitro systems, including target ideation and maturation.
• Experience in small molecule drug development paths is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry and drug discovery processes.
• Ability to communicate and present scientific data internally, externally, and in regulatory submissions.
• Experience with systems biology and RNAseq analyses is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and summarize non-clinical in vitro studies.
• Implement strategies and operations for non-clinical in vitro studies.
• Support progression of pipeline projects as project manager and biological coordinator.
• Analyses and interpret data from in vitro studies to provide insights for new drug evaluations.
• Communicate data to internal and external stakeholders and in regulatory submissions.
• Present results to project teams and management; stay updated on scientific literature.

Skills

Diabetes pathophysiology understanding

Target ideation & maturation

In vitro systems

Drug discovery processes

Regulatory submissions

Mentorship

Bioinformatics

Education

Master’s degree in related field

PhD in related field

Tools

RNAseq analysis

scRNAseq/snRNAseq analyses

Job description

About The Department

Diabetes in vitro Biology is a department within the Diabetes US Research area, Diabetes & complications therapeutic area, dedicated to research within the cardio-metabolic field, in particular diabetes. This department has a focus towards building a state-of-the-art research platform, target identification, validation and in vitro evaluation of novel treatment options, working closely with our Danish part of the organisation. Currently, the department consists of 12 employees. We work in a flexible, collaborative, and cross-functional setting, while keeping focus on quality and goals in an informal environment.

About The Department

Diabetes in vitro Biology is a department within the Diabetes US Research area, Diabetes & complications therapeutic area, dedicated to research within the cardio-metabolic field, in particular diabetes. This department has a focus towards building a state-of-the-art research platform, target identification, validation and in vitro evaluation of novel treatment options, working closely with our Danish part of the organisation. Currently, the department consists of 12 employees. We work in a flexible, collaborative, and cross-functional setting, while keeping focus on quality and goals in an informal environment.

The Position

Your key responsibilities will be to significantly impact our diabetes pipeline, which includes identification and evaluation of novel therapeutic targets, initiation of innovative drug discovery projects and maturing these through the early pipeline towards first in human. As a scientific lead you will have the opportunity to guide a global, highly collaborative team in the discovery efforts and give advice to the respective management teams. Furthermore, the successful candidate will be contributing to the expansion of our translational in vitro research platforms. With your translational mindset and background within Diabetes and metabolic disease, you will be responsible for the establishment and utilization of relevant molecular approaches, cellular assays, and read‑outs in order to investigate the mode‑of‑action of novel drug candidates and to progress our research projects. You have the ability to lead several complex tasks in a fast‑paced environment, making clear decisions, accelerating the path towards new treatment options for patients living with Diabetes. Part of your job will be guiding colleagues, as well as contributing to lab related activities, sharing knowledge and scientific insights with your colleagues. You are expected to present your results to project teams and management using strong communication skills and to stay on top of the scientific literature within Diabetes and metabolic disease. Maintaining a broad scientific network is a key to success and you are expected to foster and sustain external collaborations.

Relationships

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 across global R&D. Individual may direct the work of other staff members. Individual will interact with external research collaborators both academia- & industry-based. The teams located in facilities in Waltham, Lexington, Cambridge and Plainsboro reflect the full R&D continuum within the US, from early research through late-stage clinical development. The department is part of our Research & Development organization, which brings together the best minds in life science innovation. 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 believe that innovation and creativity thrive in a healthy and engaging working environment. Therefore, we give you the opportunity to bring your personal ambition and passion to work to improve the quality of life of the patients.

Essential Functions

• Conduct and summarize non-clinical in vitro studies
• Implement strategies and operations for conducting and summarizing non-clinical in vitro studies
• Support progression of pipeline projects as project manager and biological coordinator
• Ensure adherence to protocols and regulatory requirements in the execution of in vitro studies
• Analyse and interpret data from in vitro studies to provide insights and recommendations for new drug evaluations
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to ensure the successful implementation of experiments and the generation of high‑quality data
• Develop and improve in vitro models supporting non‑clinical studies
• Identify and evaluate new therapeutic targets and principles by exploring and improving in vitro models
• Contribute to the design and validation of new in vitro models to support target validation, target maturation, and mode‑of‑action studies
• Stay updated on the latest scientific advancements and technologies related to in vitro models and propose innovative approaches for their development and utilization
• Communicate data internally, externally, and in regulatory submissions
• Prepare clear and concise reports summarizing in vitro study findings for internal stakeholders, external collaborators, and regulatory submissions
• Present in vitro data and its implications to cross‑functional teams, management, and external partners
• Ensure the accurate and timely communication of in vitro data to support decision‑making processes and regulatory requirements

Qualifications

• Master’s degree with 12+ years of relevant experience, or PhD with 8+ years of relevant experience required
• Proven scientific track‑record and a thorough understanding of Diabetes pathophysiology and relevant in vitro systems, including experience with target ideation and maturation, preferred
• Experience in small molecule drug development paths, preferred.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the pharmaceutical industry and drug discovery processes
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and present scientific data internally, externally, and in regulatory submissions
• Understanding and experience using systems biology, bioinformatic analysis, scRNAseq/snRNAseq and RNAseq analyses, preferred
• Experience in developing and improving in vitro models supporting non-clinical studies
• Track record of identifying and exploring new therapeutic targets and principles
• Mentorship experience in the field of expertise is preferred

The base compensation range for this position is $185,000 to $230,000. Base compensation is determined based on a number of factors. This position is also eligible for a company bonus based on individual and company performance. Novo Nordisk offers long‑term incentive compensation and or company vehicles depending on the position's level or other company factors.

Employees are also eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs including medical, dental and vision coverage; life insurance; disability insurance; 401(k) savings plan; flexible spending accounts; employee assistance program; tuition reimbursement program; and voluntary benefits such as group legal, critical illness, identity theft protection, pet insurance and auto/home insurance. The Company also offers time off pursuant to its sick time policy, flex‑able vacation policy, and parental leave policy.

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

At Novo Nordisk, we’re not chasing quick fixes – we’re creating lasting change for long‑term health. For over 100 years, we’ve been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we’re making healthcare more accessible, treating and defeating diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.

Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.