[ref. z76551524] Novo Nordisk - Senior Scientific Lead in Nutrition and Cardiometabolic Diseases
We are seeking a visionary scientific leader to join our Nutrition and Cardiometabolic Diseases team at the Novo Nordisk Foundation and help drive our mission forward. The ideal candidate is strategic, internationally experienced, and forward-thinking—someone who excels in clinical research innovation and inspires excellence in others.
We believe that diverse perspectives and experiences fuel creativity and strengthen our ability to tackle complex health challenges. If you are passionate about making a meaningful impact and possess the leadership skills to guide and motivate a talented team, we would be delighted to hear from you.
The Clinical Medicine and Diabetes Department currently employs 11 highly qualified, collaborative and ambitious colleagues distributed in two teams: Clinical Diabetes and Nutrition and Cardiometabolic Diseases. We take pride in learning and contributing across the organisation, and bringing science-based progress by focussing on advancing prevention and enhancing the management of diabetes and cardiometabolic diseases.
Clinical Medicine and Diabetes is part of the Health Area. In the Health Area, our dedication to creating a positive impact drives us to work together towards a healthier future for all. The Health area is led by Chief Scientific Officer, Professor Flemming Konradsen, and consists of approximately 60 dedicated colleagues placed in six different departments who are passionate about promoting and improving equity in the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic diseases, infectious diseases, nutrition and other significant health outcomes.We are committed to engaging in global health partnerships and improving food security, and local food systems in low- and middle-income countries as well as in humanitarian contexts.
The Job
As Senior Scientific Lead in Nutrition and Cardiometabolic Diseases you will report to the Vice President of Clinical Medicine and Diabetes.
Your responsibilities will be broad and varied, encompassing the development of new strategic initiatives and portfolios across the value chain from basic to implementation research, securing strong execution of on-going strategic initiatives, reviewing applications applied for in competition through open calls, engagement with researchers and organisations nationally and globally.You will also represent the Foundation externally as a recognized and trusted expert in your field. The job includes international travel.
Your main tasks will among others include:
- Develop, drive, and implement a strong scientific portfolio of projects within cardiometabolic diseases including nutrition based on excellent scientific methodologies
- Contribute to the development of the ways of working in Clinical Medicine and Diabetes
- Leading development of our new national and international initiatives within diabetes and cardiometabolic health
- Supporting the Vice President of Clinical Medicine and Diabetes on matters requiring medical and scientific expertise
- Representing Clinical Medicine and Diabetes at national and international events
- Engaging with external stakeholders on strategic initiatives
For the right candidate the job may also include line management of the Nutrition & Cardiometabolic Diseases team.
Professional and personal qualifications
We are looking for a Senior Scientific Lead with a PhD and preferably an MD with +10 years of experience from clinical, academic, industry and/or public health research and development, with insight into the value chain from basic research to clinical translation and implementation.
We imagine you have:
- Experience as a medical specialist, preferably within the area of cardiometabolic disease and/or nutrition
- Experience as a researcher at a post-doc level or higher
- Experience in developing and oversee implementation of strategic portfolios of initiatives in our focus areas
- Deep understanding of the nature and culture of science and academia, as well as its ecosystem of stakeholders, and the ability to convert this insight into impactful partnerships
- Extensive experience as an expert in clinical research methodologies including clinical trials, cohort studies, and translational medicine
- Proven experience in managing several complex projects simultaneously
- Experience from working internationally and experience in CMD prevention and management in LMIC´s is preferred.
You might also have people leadership experience from leading small specialist teams or have the aspiration of becoming a manager.
You possess excellent English communication skills (both verbal and written), are skilled at stakeholder management and adept at navigating complex and dynamic environments.
As a person you are compassionate and collaborative by nature. You are a visionary, quality-conscious, and impact-oriented scientific leader and colleague. While you are ambitious, you put the team before your own achievements and show a willingness to take on tasks outside your remit where circumstances call for it.Others would describe you as curious, disciplined, resourceful and resilient, and praise your professional and collaborative way of working.
Working at the Novo Nordisk Foundation
We offer a committed and professional workplace in which we emphasize ensuring that our colleagues thrive, are challenged, and have opportunities to develop their potential. A career at the Novo Nordisk Foundation gives you the opportunity to work:
- On important projects that improve people’s health and the sustainability of society and the planet.
- With key actors within research and development in Denmark and internationally.
- As part of a dedicated team that is passionate about creating impact.
Application
For more information, please contact Vice President Marie-Louise Hartoft-Nielsen on e-mail: mhr@novo.dk
We encourage you to send your application as soon as possible and no later than 1 October 2025.
To apply, please send your CV, cover letter, grade transcript from university or similar, and other relevant documents by clicking the “Apply now” button.
About the Novo Nordisk Foundation
Established in Denmark in 1924, the Novo Nordisk Foundation is an enterprise foundation with philanthropic objectives. The vision of the Foundation is to improve people’s health and the sustainability of society and the planet. The Foundation’s mission is to progress research and innovation in the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic and infectious diseases as well as to advance knowledge and solutions to support a green transformation of society.
In the coming years, the Foundation will broaden its scope and increase its grants for scientific, humanitarian, and social purposes, including solving the climate crisis and developing tomorrow’s food production. As a consequence, we are a growing organisation, which means new job openings and exciting opportunities for employees to be part of forming the future of the Foundation.