Scientific Project Director

Company: Novo Nordisk Group
Location: Cambridge
Posted on: September 17, 2020

Job Description:

Our Cambridge Innovation Center is an extension of our Novo Nordisk Research Center Seattle, Inc. (NNRCSI). We apply cutting-edge technologies to early R&D projects with the goal of bringing real change to People with Diabetes and Obesity. Your skills, dedication and ambition will help us change lives for the better. In exchange, we’ll offer you an opportunity to work with extraordinary talent, continuously learn and develop, and drive change to defeat diabetes and other serious chronic conditions.

The team is comprised of collaborative, diverse and passionate people who have a true sense of pride in their work and are committed to helping others grow and develop their careers. You’ll also have a platform to engage with key stakeholders on a global scale throughout the entire pipeline process. And while changing the future of diabetes and obesity treatment is no easy task, we also recognize the importance of an enjoyable workplace, which is why we’ve cultivated a culture of fun, ingenuity and innovation. And our competitive compensation package and support of a healthy work-life balance all add to a best-in-class employee experience. We are changing lives for a living. Are you ready to make a difference?

The Position

The Scientific Project Director will drive the Whitehead/Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) collaboration to identify breakthrough innovation opportunities across Novo Nordisk’s therapy areas. The Director will be instrumental to engage in the basic science at the Whitehead/MIT and to be a sparring partner to identify concrete project opportunities. Furthermore, as member of the Novo Nordisk Bio Innovation Hub the role will evaluate novel science and technologies at US based research institutes and biotech companies to identify collaboration opportunities to develop first-in-class product concepts and technology platforms. This role will manage strategic collaborations with top academic institutions and professors in the Boston area and be central in driving and internalizing innovation from this global innovation hotspot. The Scientific Project Director is expected to have a key impact on the start-up and progress of discovery projects, strategic collaborations, technology platforms, and in-licensing of external innovation.

Essential Functions

Responsible for the scientific management of the Whitehead/MIT collaboration

Secure tangible outcomes from the Whitehead/MIT collaboration and interact with discovery functions across Novo Nordisk Research & Development (R&D) to secure internalization of research outcomes

Act as the Novo Nordisk representative in discussions with professors at Whitehead and MIT and interact with project members and stakeholders in Denmark. They will be charged to create a strong connection to the Novo Nordisk (NN) R&D organisation is a prerequisite to drive outcomes

Mentor more junior scientists and take part in project discussions on a daily basis in multiple groups, between multiple disciplines and ensure connectivity between partners. The collaboration disciplines are spanning from in vitro disease modeling technology development to exploration of novel mechanisms of gene control in disease thus the role requires working in the interface between chemistry, physics and biology

Actively engage with the local external partners to identify adaptive partnership opportunities within break-through therapies

Actively participate in scanning the Boston innovation ecosystem for collaborative opportunities to co-create disruptive therapeutic concepts or technology projects

Drive processes together with identified partners to generate early ideas/hypothesis for breakthrough innovations

Proactively acquire knowledge outside of one’s own core areas of expertise

Validate opportunities and contribute to co-created research plans

Participate in consolidation of innovative partnership models and proposals for endorsement in relevant Novo Nordisk governance board

Actively participate in shaping product concepts to fit Novo Nordisk’s demand for a diversified R&D pipeline

Participate in solving unique and complex problems that have a broad impact on the business

Collaborate with partners and R&D functions to shape and advance first-in-class product concepts or technology solutions

Participate in review of co-created projects, targets and concepts

Demonstrate ability to maintain state of the art competences and know-how within field of expertise

Actively connect and feed knowledge into the Global Novo Nordisk R&D organization

Function as key link between Boston Unit and specific scientific experts within the global research and development organization. Actively engage in learning opportunities in relation to the external partnerships and diverse external engagement models

Physical Requirements

Approximately 5-10% overnight travel activity to global research sites will be part of the job.

Qualifications

MD or PhD required. Degree within cardiovascular and metabolic disease area preferred

Minimum of 6 years of relevant industry or post-doctoral experience required

Broad scientific knowledge within cardiovascular and metabolic area and/or technology platforms including advanced next generation therapeutic concepts

Strong biopharmaceutical industry knowledge and understanding preferred

Good business understanding across R&D preferred

The ability influence others without authority

Novo Nordisk is an Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.

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.

Keywords: Novo Nordisk Group, Cambridge , Scientific Project Director, Other , Cambridge, Massachusetts