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Scientific Vice President - Obesity Research

15+ years
Not Disclosed
10 April 18, 2025
Job Description
Job Type: Full Time Education: PhD Skills: Causality Assessment, Clinical SAS Programming, Communication Skills, CPC Certified, GCP guidelines, ICD-10 CM Codes, CPT-Codes, HCPCS Codes, ICD-10 CM, CPT, HCPCS Coding, ICH guidelines, ICSR Case Processing, Interpersonal Skill, Labelling Assessment, MedDRA Coding, Medical Billing, Medical Coding, Medical Terminology, Narrative Writing, Research & Development, Technical Skill, Triage of ICSRs, WHO DD Coding

Scientific Vice President - Obesity Research
Cambridge, United States
Research Department


About the Department

Our Research & Development organization brings together the best minds in life science innovation. The teams located in facilities in Greater Boston and Greater Copenhagen 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

Diabetes, Obesity, & Mash Therapeutic Area (DOM TA) is engaged in accelerating the path of novel cardiometabolic therapies for clinical development within Novo Nordisk. A main focus is discovery and evaluation of novel targets that can modulate cardiometabolic disease and advance the projects to deliver to the NN pipeline. The therapeutic area (TA) teams collaborate closely with the teams in DOM TA and Novo Nordisk sites around the globe. The Scientific Vice President (Sci VP) of Obesity Research will drive a high level of scientific innovation in the therapy area of responsibility to ensure the team is on the right path to support Novo Nordisk's therapeutic area aspirations. This is achieved through a strong familiarity with state-of-the-art technologies and scientific trends that will position Novo Nordisk as a leader in drug discovery efforts based on human-centric approaches to build a sustainable and transformative pipeline.

The Scientific VP will secure the generation of key scientific questions that will drive an increase in disease understanding, enabling the discovery of pathways and targets to fuel pipeline growth.


Key Responsibilities

  • Drive innovation in obesity and cardiometabolic disease via human-integrated evidence generation approaches, working with the DOMGR head and leadership team to drive the scientific direction and research strategy.

  • Ensure human data (genetics, multiomics, cohort datasets) are effectively used to drive target selection and portfolio projects through digital/AI technology platforms.

  • Challenge projects scientifically in both early and late-stage portfolios to assure scientific rigor, quality of project work, and data packages that enhance confidence in project relevance for the right patient population.

  • Engage in research strategy discussions to pursue areas of unmet need, ensuring that the therapeutic area strategy has elements translatable to the research organization for future execution.

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify scientific gaps and capabilities to mitigate and reduce these gaps.

  • Identify external collaborators to enhance pipeline opportunities and support scientific goals.

  • Champion external opportunities through internal committees to support the case for entering external collaborations.

  • Effective communication of the scientific rationale behind strategy to internal and external stakeholders, ensuring regular contact with KOLs to maintain access to current scientific knowledge.


Physical Requirements

  • Travel: 25% overnight international and domestic travel required.


Qualifications

Education:

  • PhD required, preferably in chemistry, pharmaceutical science, or biology.

Experience:

  • 15+ years of relevant experience in the pharmaceutical or related industry.

  • Scientific and business experience with substantial participation in drug development and lifecycle management.

  • Experience in delivering targets and biomarkers through human genetics and omics in patient studies.

  • Proven track record in drug development within obesity/cardiometabolic diseases (pharma or academia).

  • Experience working in international, project-oriented matrix organizations.

  • Strong network within the industry, including KOLs.

Personal Skills:

  • Strong leadership abilities in scientific or project management contexts.

  • Ability to work independently and influence stakeholders at all levels.

  • Excellent communication and presentation skills for engaging with both internal and external collaborators.

  • Adaptability to new and evolving scientific environments.

  • Team-oriented with strong cross-cultural awareness and flexibility.


Novo Nordisk Commitment to Diversity

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants. At Novo Nordisk, we aspire to be the best company for the world, recognizing that this can only be achieved through talented employees with diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and cultures.