Senior Scientific Manager within Infectious Diseases

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Senior Scientific Manager to join our Infectious Diseases team at the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

The ideal candidate is strategic, broadly experienced from different sectors, and forward thinking with a solid scientific background and international track record within antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

In this role, you will be developing and managing a portfolio of projects within infectious diseases research with a particular focus on AMR in a global context and using your expertise to support projects across the entire Novo Nordisk Foundation portfolio.

Our Infectious Diseases team consists of 8 dedicated colleagues from diverse professional backgrounds and nationalities. Joining our team and NNF means being part of a dynamic and collaborative community where your expertise and individuality contribute to the collective pursuit of scientific excellence and global impact.

In the team we act as close sparring partners, and we value creativity, integrity, and good collegial relationships. We have a strong collaborative focus in our ways of working both within our team, area and across the NNF as well as with external partners and stakeholders in infectious diseases and global health.  

Infectious Diseases is part of the Health Area which consists of approximately 60 dedicated colleagues placed in six different departments who are passionate about promoting and improving equity in the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic & infectious diseases.

The job

As a Senior Scientific Manager, you will report to the Vice President of Infectious Diseases. Your responsibilities will be broad and varied, encompassing the development, management, and support of a portfolio of initiatives and activities within AMR, across the value chain from basic research to implementation. 

Your specific tasks will include (among others):

• Driving the development and implementation of a growing global portfolio of grants and projects within AMR; this includes scientific scouting, scoping and evaluation of strategically relevant new initiatives as well as driving the internal project development of targeted international funding opportunities in a project-centric and collaborative manner.
• Contributing to the scientific work of the Infectious diseases team including evaluation of proposals, overseeing the follow-up and ongoing evaluation of funded projects, and production of reports and other written materials and presentations on project and programme activities. 
• Providing ad hoc technical support and expertise for other AMR and infectious diseases related activities in the Health area and across the Foundation.
• Engaging with external stakeholders and representing the Foundation and the Infectious Diseases team internationally and maintain a constructive dialogue with project and strategic partners.

Professional and personal qualifications

We welcome candidates with a strong scientific background in AMR and infectious diseases, whether from academia or clinical specialties, combined with relevant experience from another sector such as industry, NGO, philanthropy or other scientific environments.

Furthermore, we expect you to have:

• A research degree (PhD/DMSc) with a minimum of 10 years relevant post PhD experience.
• Considerable international experience and established global network within AMR research
• Experience in developing and coordinating multi-country projects and consortia and/or other relevant leadership/management experience, preferably including implementation in an LMIC context.
• Experience from working globally across stakeholder levels incl. with supranational organisations and with local implementation partners
• Strong communication and presentation skills including fluency in English both oral and written
• Experience in translational development of new medical interventions (such as drugs, vaccines/ biologics, and diagnostics) including experience with regulatory aspects is valued as a plus but is not a prerequisite
• Experience from philanthropy/funding agency is a clear advantage
  

We believe you will thrive in this role if you are

• Professional, purpose-driven, quality-conscious, and impact-oriented
• Independent and able to make decisions and provide strategic input
• Analytical, ambitious, proactive, and with a structured approach to problem-solving
• Intellectually quick, curious, disciplined, resourceful, and resilient
• Able to build strong relationships with good interpersonal skills and a team player

The primary workplace is onsite at the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s offices in Hellerup, Denmark. You should expect international travel approximately four times/weeks per year as well as occasional meetings outside normal working hours, due to global partners in different time-zones.

Working at the Novo Nordisk Foundation

We offer a committed and professional workplace in which we emphasize ensuring that our colleagues thrive, are challenged, and have opportunity to develop their potential. A career at the Novo Nordisk Foundation gives you the opportunity to work: 

• on important projects that improves people’s health and the sustainability of society and the planet;  
• with key actors within research and development in Denmark and internationally;
• and as part of a dedicated team that is passionate about creating impact.

Next step

To apply, please send your CV, cover letter and other relevant documents by clicking the “Apply now” button. 

For more information, please contact Anette Egknud (PA and Team Coordinator) by email [email protected]. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible and no later than Tuesday 21 October. The first interviews are expected to take place online early November and the second interviews in person in Copenhagen in mid-to-late November.

Established in Denmark in 1924, the Novo Nordisk Foundation is an enterprise foundation with philanthropic objectives. The vision of the Foundation is to improve people’s health and the sustainability of society and the planet. The Foundation’s mission is to progress research and innovation in the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic and infectious diseases as well as to advance knowledge and solutions to support a green transformation of society. 

In the coming years, the Foundation will broaden its scope and increase its grants for scientific, humanitarian, and social purposes, including solving the climate crisis and developing tomorrow’s food production. As a consequence, we are a growing organisation, which means new job openings and exciting opportunities for employees to be part of forming the future of the Foundation.