Scientist II - Global Drug Discovery - Immunobiology

About the Department                                                                                                                                 

Our Boston Research & Development hub, anchored in the greater Boston area, brings together the best minds in life science innovation. The teams located in facilities in Lexington, Watertown and Cambridge 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 greater Boston 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 Scientist II will provide subject matter expertise and leadership in the expansion of biology and disease understanding; identification and validation of new drug targets; advancing novel therapies to the clinic; and developing technologies to accelerate scientific research. This will be achieved by coordinating multiple research activities involving cross-functional project teams to ensure achievement of key deliverables. The Scientist II will represent the organization to the external scientific community through publication and presentation of research, and through the development, management, and leadership of external collaborations. The individual will be seen across the company as a method/subject expert for immune mechanisms related to cardiometabolic and rare diseases, and for core technologies like flow cytometry.

Relationships

Reports to the head of the Immunobiology department. Internal relationships include working closely with colleagues at US, UK, Denmark, and China research sites to support the Global Drug Discovery pipeline. The Scientist II will have regular cross-functional, global collaborations with both internal teams and external partners. This individual may supervise contingent workers and mentor others in their functional area. Individual will interact with external research collaborators both academia- & industry-based.

Essential Functions

• Major contributor to research projects through hands-on independent work involving highly complex activities, receiving minimal guidance
• Leads research projects (target, biology, or technology-related) involving coordination of multiple experimental activities and groups, recommends and is responsible for ensuring realistic project timelines and deliverables, and works closely with local or global project managers
• Influences the research pipeline by recommending, presenting, and championing new targets or methodologies; proposing and leading external collaborations; and makes project activity-related decisions
• Demonstrates subject matter expertise and in-depth experience, as well as creative, independent thinking to identify and address disease/biology-related questions/gaps, potentially across therapeutic areas
• Analyzes complex data with high degree of sophistication, connecting disparate datasets to reach conclusions, and set direction on experiments. Authors internal reports and external publications
• Effectively communicates and collaborates across global sites and guides project strategy by providing expert input to cross-functional project teams
• Represents the organization at scientific conferences and global meetings by authorship and publication of scientific papers and patents
• Maintains a strong understanding of advancements in their area of expertise
• Participates to or leads cross-functional experimental teams to achieve project goals, mentor junior staff, and provide training. Acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience; may direct the work of other staff members
• Works with Department Heads and Scientists to ensure better practice sharing and implementation within the research environment
• Demonstrates superior cross-cultural understanding to effectively interact with relevant stakeholders in the global organization
• Be an active contributor to creating and sustaining an inclusive culture of curiosity that embraces diversity

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with 15+ years’ relevant experience required OR a Master’s degree with 10+ years’ relevant experience OR a Doctoral degree in with 4+ years’ post-doctoral and/or industry relevant experience 
• Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrates outstanding project management knowledge, as well as organizational and time-management skills
• Required Experience:
  • Expertise in field of immunology (human and rodent) – subject matter expertise in fibrogenesis, innate/adaptive regulatory mechanisms, immunometabolism, immune aging and senescence, cytokine regulation, or myeloid biology considered
  • Expertise in flow cytometry panel design & analyses, flow- & electrochemiluminescence-based cytokine measurements, cytotoxicity assay development, & live cell imaging
  • Experience in developing & optimizing highly complex multi-cellular assays
  • Experience working with human blood & tissue
  • Expert cell culture skills – human, rodent, non-human primate
  • Knowledge of cardiometabolic disease, especially diabetes (T1D or T2D), and/or cardiovascular disease

• Preferred Experience:
  • Knowledge of chronic kidney disease
  • Experience working with 2D/3D models & organoids
  • Knowledge in computational biology & sequencing
  • Experience working in drug development research setting

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

At Novo Nordisk we recognize that it is no longer good enough to aspire to be the best company in the world. We need to aspire to be the best company for the world and we know that this is only possible with talented employees with diverse perspectives, backgrounds and cultures. We are therefore committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates the diversity of our employees, the patients we serve and communities we operate in. Together, we’re life changing.

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.