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About the Department

The Target Discovery Engine (TDE) is a global, multidisciplinary team that focuses on accelerating the path of target discovery and validation at Novo Nordisk. Scientists, in the TDE, take a human-centric approach to drug discovery, utilizing cutting-edge approaches to model human disease combined with advanced techniques in functional genomics, imaging and machine learning to identify and characterize novel targets. By doing so, the TDE team aims to redefine how the industry approaches target discovery, with the ambition of accelerating the drug discovery process, through unlocking a deeper understanding of disease and treatment outcomes.

The Position

The Principal Scientist, TDE US, will be responsible for harnessing recent developments in cellular imaging techniques to enhance in vitro high-content target discovery and validation platforms. This person will work closely with internal scientific teams and external collaborators to implement imaging-based approaches to high-dimensional data acquisition to expedite cardiometabolic disease understanding and novel drug discovery.

Relationships

Reporting to the Director and Head of TDE US, the person in this role will work closely with Cell and Computational Biologists in Boston, and with TDE and Data Sciences colleagues globally, to ensure efficient delivery of target discovery and validation platforms and high-dimensional data sets. Additional internal relationships include working with research employees, project managers, as well as other colleagues across Novo Nordisk Inc. This position may mentor or indirectly supervise the next generation of imaging scientists. External relationships include those with contract research organizations, key opinion leaders, innovative academic and biotech partners.

Essential Functions

• Leverage a range of imaging techniques to drive development of sophisticated cellular imaging assays, and analyze and interpret complex phenotypic data in support of the early drug discovery pipeline

• Contribute to scientific discussions to design experimental strategies, refine biological models and assays, and provide sophisticated data interpretation and visualization packages to support decision-making

• Work with Cell Biologists to drive the generation of large high-dimensional data sets, and collaborate with Computational Scientists to facilitate development of machine-learning models from images using internal and external resources

• Mentor and instruct junior colleagues on image analysis and data interpretation

• Drive efficiency through participation in global cross-functional teams, guiding implementation of imaging best practices, and supporting development of improved data infrastructure and workflows

• Build and maintain strong relationships and collaborations with external researchers

• Establish relevant external collaborations with academia to facilitate constant development of core technologies

• Develop and manage CRO relationships in support of research goals

  Qualifications

• PhD with 10 years of relevant industry or post-doctorate experience is preferred.

• A minimum of a Master’s degree is required; Master's degree with 16 years of relevant industry or post-doctorate experience can be considered

• Relevant required experience includes:

• Cell biology experience to include cell culture, phenotyping techniques, assay development and microscopy

• Experience in cellular image acquisition and processing, including feature extraction, object detection, classification, segmentation, and visualization

• Familiarity with commercially available imaging and data analysis software such as Signals Image Artist, MetaXpress, Omero, Harmony, Spotfire, Graphpad

• Experienced with high-content screening systems and their application to drug discovery

• Understanding of HPC cluster environments and cloud-based systems for imaging data management

• Experience working closely with wet lab scientists to develop and optimize High-Content screens and workflows for early target discovery applications

• Digitally savvy and comfortable interfacing with computational biologists and AI/ML scientists

• Ability to work independently in a scientific environment.

• Experience building and maintaining productive internal relationships across complex research organizations, and the ability to effectively represent Novo Nordisk in external settings

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to create and deliver compelling presentations

• Strong knowledge of neuroscience and cardiometabolic disease biology preferred

  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.

  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.