Principal Scientist - Global Drug Discovery

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.

The Position

The Principal Scientist will provide scientific leadership in the identification, and validation, and advancement of new drug targets related to CNS-obesity biology and appetite regulation. The role will drive in vivo pharmacology strategies across early and late-stage pipeline programs, enabling translation of novel biology into therapeutic opportunities. 

The Principal Scientist will provide scientific leadership in the identification, and validation, and advancement of new drug targets related to CNS-obesity biology and appetite regulation. The role will drive in vivo pharmacology strategies across early and late-stage pipeline programs, enabling translation of novel biology into therapeutic opportunities.The Principal Scientist will provide scientific leadership in the identification, and validation, and advancement of new drug targets related to CNS-obesity biology and appetite regulation. The role will drive in vivo pharmacology strategies across early and late-stage pipeline programs, enabling translation of novel biology into therapeutic opportunities. 

As a subject matter expert, the individual will define experimental strategies, guide cross-functional teams, evaluate emerging targets and technologies, and lead external collaborations. The role also includes mentoring colleagues and representing the organization through high-impact scientific contributions. 

As a subject matter expert, the individual will define experimental strategies, guide cross-functional teams, evaluate emerging targets and technologies, and lead external collaborations. The role also includes mentoring colleagues and representing the organization through high-impact scientific contributions, advancing novel therapies to the clinic, and developing technologies to accelerate drug research. This will be achieved by functioning as a subject matter expert that provides strategic guidance to project teams, evaluates emerging targets and technologies, and proposes and oversees external collaborations and strategic partnerships. The Principal Scientist will be responsible for in vivo pharmacology supporting both the early and late obesity pipeline and mentor junior colleagues in the department wrt. Biology and pharmacology. Furthermore the principal scientist will represent the organization to the external scientific community through communication of highly impactful research. 

Relationships

Reports to the Director of Obesity Pharmacology US. Internal relationships include working closely with technical staff & other members of the scientific leadership team, regular collaborations with members of other research departments, and frequent interaction with project managers and other colleagues across global R&D. Individual may mentor team members and will interact with external research collaborators both academia- & industry-based. 

Essential Functions

• Hands-on for planning and designing in vivo pharmacology studies, working with technical scientists, and advising on the execution, interpretation, as well as communication of results of complex state of the art in vivo experiments. 


• Proven subject matter expertise related to CNS-obesity biology and appetite regulation. Demonstrates a specialized depth and/or breadth of expertise, and engages relationships with other key areas related to drug development in the pharmaceutical industry 


• Provide expert-level guidance for project team related to experimental strategies to evaluate emerging targets, biology or technologies 


• Effectively communicate and collaborate across global sites and set project strategy by providing leadership of cross-functional project teams (in vitro, omics, translational, clinical teams) 


• Contribute subject matter expertise to develop the research agenda with a clear understanding of the link between scientific project goals and overall long-term business needs 


• Propose new projects that support the strategic agenda and address gaps in technological capabilities and therapeutic areas, related to obesity and appetite regulation  


• Representing the organization through external communication of impactful scientific research in the form of presentation at external conferences and publication in scientific journals and patents 


• Maintains a deep understanding of theoretical knowledge and a connection to the external scientific community through continuous evaluation of relevant literature 


• Guides and/or leads global, cross-functional experimental teams to achieve project goals.  


• Provides mentorship and training to colleagues within field of expertise 


• Maintains, identifies, and initiates key relationships with KOLs and academic partners 


• Guides other research teams regarding suitable assays/techniques to interpret and translate in vivo studies to progress the obesity pipeline 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 22+ years’ relevant experience required, or Master's Degree with 16 years relevant industry experience required, or PhD with 10 years’ relevant industry or post-doctorate experience can be considered


• Relevant required experience includes: insert subject matter expertise


• Preferred experience includes: insert subject matter preferred experience


• Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills

The base compensation range for this position is $180,000 to $235,000. 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.