Job Description

Use human genetics and multi omics to de risk therapeutic targets and guide strategic decisions across our pipeline - bring scientific rigour and creativity to early target maturation.

Your new role

As Specialist, Target Biology you will be an independent individual contributor delivering end-to-end target‑specific analyses and driving methodological innovation. Reporting to the Head of Target Biology, you will lead high-impact projects to reduce translational risk and inform portfolio decisions through clear, evidence-based recommendations.

Day‑to‑day your tasks will include:

• Lead, design and deliver end-to-end reproducible analyses of genetic (GWAS, WES/WGS), transcriptomic, proteomic and other omics datasets from internal and external sources using in‑house tools and pipelines.
• Apply advanced statistical genetics approaches (e.g. GWAS, rare variant association, Mendelian Randomisation, colocalization, variant-to-gene mapping) to elucidate target biology, generate mechanistic hypotheses, nominate biomarkers and enable patient stratification.
• Integrate multi-omics, single-cell and proteomic data to infer mechanism and evaluate causal evidence for therapeutic hypotheses.
• Assess data quality, apply FAIR data principles and deliver well-documented, version-controlled analysis workflows suitable for reuse.
• Translate complex results into concise, actionable recommendations for scientists and senior decision-makers via written reports, visualisations and verbal briefings; influence go/no-go and strategic portfolio decisions.
• Represent Target Biology in cross-functional and external forums (e.g. Translational teams, Therapeutic Disease Areas, academic and industry collaborators) to advocate for human genetics-driven strategies.
• Identify and evaluate external scientific opportunities (academia, biotech, pharma) and internal innovations; synthesise findings into strategic recommendations and incorporate relevant advances into team practice.
• Mentor and support junior colleagues and contribute to team standards, best practices and training.

Your new department

You will be part of Target Biology within Digital Biology. Our team blends genetics, computational biology and cross‑disciplinary expertise to accelerate target discovery and translation. We work closely with therapeutic area and translational teams to convert human data into robust biological insight that informs the Novo Nordisk pipeline.

Your skills & qualifications

To succeed in this role, you should:

• Hold a PhD in Genetics, Genetic Epidemiology, Statistical Genetics or a closely related discipline.
• Have a minimum of 5 years of experience in data analysis (including at least 2 years in a pharmaceutical environment working with human genetics and omics data).
• Demonstrate domain expertise in genetics and omics of cardiometabolic disease (peer‑reviewed publications advantageous).
• Practical experience with GWAS/WES/WGS analyses, MR, colocalization, variant-to-gene mapping and QTL integration.
• Be proficient in R and/or Python in a high‑performance computing environment, produce reproducible analyses and use version control (e.g., Git).
• Show strong interpersonal, presentation and written communication skills in English to explain complex concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Be proactive, innovative, well‑organised, and able to lead projects independently while collaborating effectively in multidisciplinary teams.

Working at Novo Nordisk

Every day we seek the solutions that defeat serious chronic diseases. We combine scientific curiosity, warmth and determination to create lasting improvements in patient health. At Novo Nordisk you will join a collaborative team that values development, integrity and cross functional teamwork and offers opportunities to make a direct impact on patients.

Deadline

8th March 2026 (Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis)

Novo Nordisk is not your typical healthcare company. In a modern world of quick fixes, we focus on solutions to defeat serious chronic diseases and promote long‑term health. Our unordinary mindset is at the heart of everything we do. We seek out new ideas and put people first as we push the boundaries of science, make healthcare more accessible, and treat, prevent, and even cure diseases that affect millions of lives. Because it takes an unordinary approach to drive real, lasting change in health.

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 preventing 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.