Senior Scientist I, In Vivo Pharmacology

Novo Nordisk; Lexington (MA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive compensation

Company vehicles

Medical, dental and vision coverage

401(k) savings plan

Job summary

Novo Nordisk in Lexington, MA, seeks a Senior Scientist I for the Diabetes Discovery Pharmacology team. You will lead non‑clinical in vivo studies, design PK/PD experiments, and help validate targets in a fast-paced, collaborative environment focused on new medicines for diabetes and metabolism.

The role requires a strong background in diabetes research, hands‑on in vivo work, and excellent communication skills to coordinate with cross‑functional teams and contribute to regulatory submissions.

Qualifications

• BS/BA with 10+ years of relevant experience; or master’s degree with 8+ years; or PhD with 4+ years’ of relevant experience required
• Diabetes experience is highly preferred
• Extensive hands on research experience with in vivo models of diabetes is highly preferred
• Experience in conducting and summarizing non‑clinical in vivo studies
• Strong knowledge and experience in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
• Experience in experimental design and data analysis
• Familiarity with drug discovery and target validation processes
• Excellent scientific communication and stakeholder engagement skills

Responsibilities

• Conduct and summarize non‑clinical in vivo studies
• Design experimental protocols for pre‑clinical in vivo studies
• Coordinate the execution of experiments, including sample collection and analysis
• Analyze and interpret pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data
• Develop and improve in vivo models, in vitro and ex vivo assays
• Identify and explore new therapeutic targets and principles for in vivo studies
• Contribute to the development and improvement of in vivo models, ex vivo and in vitro assays
• Translate scientific findings into actionable insights
• Communicate implications of data packages to internal and external stakeholders
• Contribute to regulatory submissions by providing relevant in vivo data and authoring regulatory reports

Skills

Diabetes experience

In vivo pharmacology

Pharmacokinetics

Pharmacodynamics

Experimental design

Data analysis

Scientific communication

Stakeholder engagement

Education

BS/BA with 10+ years of relevant experience; or Master’s degree with 8+ years; or PhD with 4+ years

Diabetes experience is highly preferred

Job description

About The Department

Our Research & Development organization brings together the best minds in life science innovation. The teams located in facilities in Lexington, Watertown, Cambridge and Plainsboro reflect the full R&D continuum, from early research through late-stage clinical development. 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 recognize that improving human health starts here and that patients rely on us. Our R&D hub merges biotech speed and agility with large pharmaceutical company quality, resources, and stability, uniting the best of both worlds to develop new medicines for patients. This position is in the Diabetes Discovery Pharmacology team in the Diabetes Research US research area based in Lexington.

About The Department

Our Research & Development organization brings together the best minds in life science innovation. The teams located in facilities in Lexington, Watertown, Cambridge and Plainsboro reflect the full R&D continuum, from early research through late-stage clinical development. 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 recognize that improving human health starts here and that patients rely on us. Our R&D hub merges biotech speed and agility with large pharmaceutical company quality, resources, and stability, uniting the best of both worlds to develop new medicines for patients. This position is in the Diabetes Discovery Pharmacology team in the Diabetes Research US research area based in Lexington.

The Position

The Senior Scientist I is expected to have a proven track record in diabetes and metabolism research and drug discovery and be a self‑motivated team player with strong communication skills. Experience with small molecules would be advantageous. The Senior Scientist I will be expected to manage and lead multiple activities in parallel within a matrix environment and have a collaborative mind‑set with a strong personal drive and dedication. This position requires a flexible attitude and the ability to change focus as required by projects and shifting priorities. The Senior Scientist I will be responsible for strategy implementation and operations for conducting and summarizing non‑clinical in vivo studies internally and externally in the support of new drug evaluations to support our Diabetes research pipeline. The senior scientist I is expected to design, coordinate, execute as part of a team and report pre‑clinical pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic in vivo experiments within research projects as part of target validation, target maturation, or mode‑of‑action studies. Develop and improve in vivo models supporting non‑clinical studies, optimize and develop assays necessary for endpoint analyses, take an active role in research projects, and contribute to innovation by identifying and exploring new therapeutic targets and principles. Communicate evaluations and implications of data packages internally, externally, and in regulatory submissions as relevant. Demonstrates subject matter expertise. Requires in-depth knowledge and experience. Solid knowledge and skills relevant for NN Business cross‑functional understanding. Strong knowledge within a specific process and extensive business understanding across SVP area. Uses best practices and knowledge of internal or external business issues to improve products or services. Works independently; receives minimal guidance. Acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience; may direct the work of other staff members. Perceived as expert within one or several key processes across the VP/CVP area. Handling specialist tasks of high complexity critical to the CVP area. Hands‑on work involving highly complex activities; lead project (target, biology, or technology‑related) involving coordination of multiple experimental activities & groups, recommends/is responsible for ensuring realistic project timelines & deliverables, work closely with project manager ; deep understanding of subject matter & demonstrates creative, independent thinking to identify & address disease/biology‑related questions/gaps, potentially across therapeutic areas; represent NN at conferences & global meetings; may propose & lead external collaborations; author internal reports & external publications; recommend, present, & champion new targets or methodologies. May mentor or directly supervise less experienced team members based on business need, skill, and/or interest.

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.

Essential Functions

• Conduct and summarize non‑clinical in vivo studies
  • Implement strategies for conducting non‑clinical in vivo studies
  • Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure smooth operations of studies
  • Summarize and communicate findings from in vivo studies internally and externally
• Design and coordinate pre‑clinical pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic experiments
  • Design experimental protocols for pre‑clinical in vivo studies
  • Coordinate the execution of experiments, including sample collection and analysis
  • Analyze and interpret pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data
• Develop and improve in vivo models, in vitro and ex vivo assays supporting non‑clinical studies
  • Identify and explore new therapeutic targets and principles for in vivo studies
  • Contribute to the development and improvement of in vivo models, ex vivo and in vitro assays
  • Conduct literature reviews and stay up‑to‑date on advancements in in vivo models, laboratory techniques, diabetes and metabolism research
  • Translate scientific findings into actionable insights
• Analyze and interpret data from in vivo studies to generate meaningful insights
  • Communicate the implications of data packages from in vivo studies and related experiments to internal and external stakeholders
  • Contribute to regulatory submissions by providing relevant in vivo data and authoring regulatory reports independently
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to implement new and refine existing methodologies
  • Work closely with colleagues in other departments to support drug evaluations
  • Engage with stakeholders to ensure alignment on study objectives and deliverables
  • Collaborate with scientists and researchers to integrate data packages from in vivo studies into drug discovery and development processes
• Continuous professional development
  • Stay updated on the latest advancements and best practices in in vivo pharmacology, diabetes and metabolism biology
  • Attend conferences, workshops, and training sessions to enhance knowledge and skills
  • Share knowledge and expertise with colleagues to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement

Qualifications

• BS/BA with 10+ years of relevant experience; or master’s degree with 8+ years of relevant experience; or PhD with 4+ years’ of relevant experience required
• Diabetes experience is highly preferred
• Extensive hands on research experience with in vivo models of diabetes is highly preferred
• Experience in conducting and summarizing non‑clinical in vivo studies
• Strong knowledge and experience in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
• Experience in experimental design and data analysis
• Familiarity with drug discovery and target validation processes
• Excellent scientific communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Demonstrated critical thinking and intellectual curiosity
• Ability to work independently and handle tasks of high complexity

The base compensation range for this position is $145,000 to $190,000. 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.

If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.