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 Seattle 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

Chemical Biology is part of the Novo Nordisk Global Research Technologies organization in Boston, which is engaged in early drug discovery for the development of novel therapies for the treatment of cardio-metabolic diseases, obesity and rare diseases obesity. The unit is building and implementing core technology platforms in peptide chemistry, protraction technologies, oral delivery, targeted delivery and targeted protein degradation needed to discover new important therapeutics within our core business. The team will initiate new discovery projects, design and produce therapeutics across various molecular formats including proteins, peptides and oligonucleotides required for research projects and provide detailed protein science knowledge to mature early-stage therapeutic opportunities.

The Head of Chemical Biology leads a palette of drug discovery activities comprising therapeutic research and technology projects and drives a broad portfolio of external collaborations to the benefit of the global R&ED organization. The ambition is to deliver innovative and high-quality ideas that translate into innovative API strategies via semi-autonomous research efforts and results-driven decisions. The Head of Chemical Biology cultivates a discovery research ecosystem that fosters risk-willing mentalities and unconventional research theories combined with fast and efficient project execution.

Relationships

Reports to a (Corporate) Vice President in Research & Early Development. Directly manages an interdisciplinary team of chemists, chemical biologists, bioanalysis scientists and biochemists at the site. May manage contingent workers. Engages with colleagues across Research & Early Development including direct interactions with GDD and GRT management and other key stakeholders such as project managers, focus group leaders/administrators, and research directors/scientists. Engages with external partners and key opinion leaders in academic and biotech research.

Essential Functions

• Research Chemistry Leadership:
  • Sets overall directions of site and supervises all scientists of Chemistry Biology and their direct reports
  • Defines, shapes, and drives the local research strategies and prioritizations with agility while ensuring proper alignment with current and future global research objectives across all therapeutic areas
  • Leads Chemical Biology research efforts and programs through fast-paced, high-functioning, talent-rich and goal-oriented teams
  • Responsible for talent development of employees in a highly specialized group of scientists with a complex and challenging scientific mindset
  • Responsible for leadership and further development of the organization through interactions with local line managers across R&ED
  • Overall personnel responsibility of the department including supervision, goal-setting, performance review, and on-site personal health and safety of all research positions
  • Responsible for recruiting, evaluating, and hiring all new research positions in the local organization
  • Ensures awareness, transparency, and visibility of strategies and research projects to global R&D management and colleagues via up-to-date channels of communication and ambassador functions to the global organization
  • Secures appropriate and selective integration of Chemical Biology into the Global R&ED organization
  • Maintains an agile environment, including flexible work practices, rapid uptake of new technologies, and a composition of diverse individual knowledge bases, to ensure sustained success for near-term and long-term
  • Together with VP/CVP represents Chemical Biology, Research Chemistry and GRT at board/governance meetings and other management meetings
• Research Director:
  • Responsibility for overseeing effective planning, execution and optimization of overall chemical and biological research efforts at the site
  • Conceptualizes, sparks, and directs the de novo scientific innovation aimed at target identification and drug discovery across several Novo Nordisk therapy areas including obesity, and diabetes, with focus on diseases rooted in neurological disorders
  • Ensures cross-functional teams are sufficiently empowered with knowledge and equipped with resources to make well-informed and effective decisions on research projects in a timely manner
  • Guides and maintains overview of project milestones, characteristics of transitional experimental plans, and timelines of key deliverables to ensure appropriate project transfer to NNDK
  • Manages key internal collaborations, notably within GRT and GDD, as well as external collaborations with key academic partners and industry partners
  • Secures a motivating and positive global collaboration between Chemical Biology and other Novo Nordisk research sites, particularly within Research Chemistry and GRT

• Global R&ED Strategic Support:
  • Serves an advisory role as a member of steering committees for Strategic Partnerships & Cooperations with universities and biotech companies
  • In alliance with outreach activities at the Boston site, identifies, establishes, and facilitates collaborations with external partners in academic research and industry research, particularly in the emerging therapy area of rare endocrine diseases
  • In alliance with GDD innovation activities also located in Boston, supports innovation initiatives and builds bridges between GDD & GRT with an emphasis on emerging rare endocrine diseases
  • Maintains up-to-date scientific & competitive awareness in expertise areas such that novel technologies and concepts can be employed at Chemical Biology and across Global R&ED to drive new molecular innovation
  • Provides solicited support to R&ED management, including recommendations for project portfolio assessments and overall research strategy as well as external asset evaluation

Physical Requirements

10-20% overnight travel required.

Development of People

Supervisory. Ensure that reporting personnel have individual development plans (IDP), with annual goals and measurements that are consistent with the priorities of the business, and that interim reviews are held so that their work is focused on those priorities, and they understand their level of accountability for results and the measurement process. Ensure that the IDP forms include completed learning and aspiration plans and are in place for all reporting personnel to enable the achievement of goals and capability to assume increased levels of responsibility. Manage the application and communication of all Novo Nordisk policies, procedures, and Novo Nordisk Way.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required. Preference in the fields of Chemical Biology, Organic Chemistry, Molecular Pharmacology or a related field
• Requires minimum of 10 years of relevant post-Ph.D. experience within research & development in industry or academic settings
• Requires broad background within pharmaceutical sciences and proven expertise within peptide medicinal chemistry
• Requires documented leadership and/or project management experience in industry, biotech or academic research setting, and a broad network of key opinion leaders within peptide science
• Requires excellent written and oral communication skills
• Requires ability to influence, communicate and collaborate across a global organization
• Requires ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment during evaluation processes
• Requires a strong understanding of complex scientific procedures with technical proficiency

The base compensation range for this position is $187,100 to $327,500. 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.