Are you a skilled human geneticist skilled in leading passionate scientists in their research and development? Would you like to be part of building a centre of excellence in human genetics with focus on human centric data approaches to deliver human genetics validated biomarkers? If yes, then this opportunity may be the right one for you.
The Position
Responding to the success of human genetics deliverables to inform decision making at Novo Nordisk, we are now building a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in human genetics based at our research site in Oxford. We will bring human genetics to the entire project portfolio from early research through to development. As part of this rapid expansion we are seeking a Director in genetics for early development who, will be overseeing their department; setting strategic direction in collaboration with the CoE management team; being impactful within a matrix environment; managing their employees and leading the department in line with the Novo Nordisk Way.
In this role, you will drive genetic led biomarker identification across all Novo Nordisk’s therapeutic areas using state-of-the art methodologies and data. You will be responsible for the significant growth of the team in line with CoE strategy, ensuring a growth in delivery of genetic support within the field of Biomarkers.
They will ensure scientific rigor in the department’s activities and strong collaborations both internally across R&ED and Development and externally with academic, biotech and other pharma as where innovative opportunities have been identified e.g., new technologies, platforms data innovations in genetic led biomarker ID; while making independent decisions both with respect to studies and daily management of employees;, promote a culture of cross area collaboration internally and externally.
In this role you will:
- strive to achieve a future where the norm is to use human validated biomarkers in clinical trials e.g., through identification using human genetics.
- 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.
The role will give you the opportunity to use your leadership skills in direct and indirect management of a growing team within Digital Science and Innovation (DSI) and represent the Genetics COE in scientific collaborations with external research groups, including world-renowned academic institutes.
Qualifications
This position will complement a leader, comfortable leading experienced professionals, with ability to drive change and overcome challenges, and who will drive innovative ideas into real impact.
You will be expected to have a PhD in human genetics, computational genetics or in a similar discipline together with an in-depth understanding of the human genome, genome-wide association studies, integration of multi-omics & clinical measures with human genetics and big data analysis methods.
Your education will be supported by relevant experience:
- 8+ years post-PhD experience in a directly relevant field e.g., using human genetics in a pharma setting
- A track record of internationally recognized excellence in human genetics.
- Experience of educating non-experts in the value of human genetics for biomarker identification
- Comfortable working in a dynamic environment and innovating approaches to use of human genetics
- Leadership and independent team/department management in an academic and/or pharma setting
- Strong collaboration and presentation skills and proven to be impactful within a matrixed environment
About the Department
You will, as Director of the human genetics for early development department, be part of the leadership team of our Human Genetics Centre of Excellence (CoE) led by Vice President, Joanna Howson PhD. The focus of the CoE is to use data science and human genetics to discover and develop new drug targets through a range of human centric approaches e.g., high-through put genetic discovery screens; Mendelian randomization; pLoF variant screens and precision medicine approaches relevant to type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, CVD, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), obesity and cardiometabolic traits.
The Department is anchored in the newly established Digital Science & Innovation (DSI) organisation within Research & Early Development at Novo Nordisk. 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.
Contact
For more information about the role, please contact Jo Howson by email: zjhw@novonordisk.com
We are not able to accept direct CVs, please submit your application via our careers site.
Deadline
9th of April 2023
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.