Associate Director – Genetic Biomarker Discovery

Locations: London or Oxford, UK or Copenhagen, Denmark

Permanent, full-time role

Hybrid working model - 2 days in office/week

The Position

We are looking for an Associate Director of Human Genetics for Early Development to join our innovative and dynamic Human Genetics Centre of Excellence (CoE) team who will be responsible for leading the strategy and execution of biomarker discovery based on human genetics, multi-omics, and imaging.

In this role, you will drive genetic led biomarker identification across all our therapeutic areas, integrating and analysing large-scale human genetics and multi-omics data sets by using state-of-the art methodologies e.g. AI/ML and data. In collaboration with the Vice President of the human genetics CoE, you will co- develop the strategy for leveraging human genetics, and other data such as e.g. multi-omics, clinical phenotypes, imaging, wearables, to identify and validate novel biomarkers for early development programs.

Your responsibilities will also include:

• Lead and mentor a small team of scientists with expertise in human genetics in line with our approach – the Novo Nordisk Way.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders across the organisation globally, particularly across the Human Genetics Centre of Excellence, Computational Biology and Global Translation teams.
• Establish and maintain external partnerships with academic institutions, biotech companies and consortia to access and generate relevant human genetic and multi-omics data.
• Be an integral part of the Human Genetics CoE leadership team collectively promoting the Novo Nordisk Way to ensure we have a happy and motivated centre.
• Communicate and present findings and recommendations to senior management and key stakeholders.

In this role you will strive to achieve a future where the norm is to use human centric validated biomarkers in clinical trials e.g., through identification of biomarkers using human genetics. You will also promote high levels of innovation and creativity to think of the new ideas and ways to identify human validated biomarkers for use in clinic across Novo Nordisk projects.

This role will give you the opportunity to use your leadership skills in direct and indirect management and represent the Genetics CoE in scientific collaborations with external research groups, including world-renowned academic institutes.

This position will be located in Oxford or London, UK or Copenhagen, Denmark. We offer a hybrid working model with 3 days from the office. The role entails annual travel of 5-10%.

Qualifications

We are searching for a highly communicative and collaborative leader, who feels comfortable leading a global team, and can drive innovative ideas into real impact.

We are looking for candidates who meets the following criteria:

• PhD in genetics, bioinformatics, computational genetics, or related field.
• Several years of human genetics expertise and leadership experience.
• Demonstrated track record of applying human genetics and multi-omics to biomarker discovery and drug development.
• Strong knowledge and experience in applying artificial intelligence and machine learning models to biological data.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as R, Python, MATLAB, or SAS.
• Experience in leading and managing a team of scientists and collaborating with cross-functional teams.
• Experience of delivering within a matrix working environment.

About the Centre

You will be part of the leadership team of our Human Genetics CoE led by Vice President, Joanna Howson PhD. The focus of the CoE is to use data science and human genetics to innovate the Novo Nordisk drug discovery and development pipeline. The Centre is anchored in Artificial Intelligence and Digital Research within the newly established Digital Science & Innovation organisation in the Research & Early Development SVP area at Novo Nordisk.

Digital Science & Innovation (DSI) is supporting the digital journey across all our therapy areas in R&ED. In DSI, we work in multidisciplinary teams – in strong collaboration with all areas across R&ED and R&ED IT. We participate in drug development projects across the value chain, from early discovery to pre-clinical development. We engage in external collaborations to ensure access to the latest research and technology enablers, and we automate our labs and processes, and we focus on developing and retaining top talent.

Working at Novo Nordisk

We are a proud life-science company, and life is our reason to exist. We’re inspired by life in all its forms and shapes, ups and downs, opportunities, and challenges. For employees at Novo Nordisk, life means many things – from the building blocks of life that form the basis of ground-breaking scientific research, to our rich personal lives that motivate and energise us to perform our best at work. Ultimately, life is why we’re all here - to ensure that people can lead a life independent of chronic disease.

Deadline

Please apply before 7th July 2024

We encourage you to apply early as we engage with candidates on an ongoing basis

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.

We are proud supporters of Women in Data®.  Connect, engage and belong to the largest free female data community in the UK – visit: www.womenindata.co.uk to join our community.

APPLY HERE: Associate Director - Genetic Biomarker Discovery