Are you ready to turn your studies into real-world impact? Join our newly established R&D Contracts team in R&D Legal and help us build a simple, fast, and data-enabled contracting process for Novo Nordisk’s global research and development organisation. This is a hands-on role where you will develop practical project management skills, work closely with the Associate Director of R&D Contracts, and get a unique view into how a staff function enables science at scale.

The position

Novo Nordisk R&D exists to translate breakthrough science into therapies that improve lives and help defeat serious chronic diseases. Getting from idea to medicine requires frictionless, compliant, and timely contracting with partners and suppliers. By helping us streamline and standardise how R&D contracts are planned, created, approved, and managed, you’ll directly support the speed and quality of research—and, ultimately, patient outcomes.

Responsibilities include:

• Support cross-functional projects across the R&D Legal organisation, coordinating with colleagues in Contracts, Legal Business Partners, Compliance, IP, Digital/IT, Procurement, and R&D operations.
• Work closely with the Associate Director of R&D Contracts on operating-model design, process mapping, change management, and stakeholder communications.
• Enable our system transformation as we migrate from three legacy contract management tools to a single enterprise system—including data quality tasks, template consolidation, user guides, and development of standard operating procedures.
• Create clear project materials (briefings, meeting packs, SharePoint pages, FAQs, micro-trainings) that help colleagues adopt simple, new ways of handling contracts.
• Track progress on key performance indicators using business intelligence tools.
• Handle essential admin that keeps the programme moving (meeting orchestration, documentation hygiene, stakeholder lists, mailbox hygiene)—small things that make a big difference in a transformation.

What you’ll learn

• Project management in practice: planning, execution, stakeholder management, and change adoption in a complex global environment.
• Legal operations and contracting: the contract lifecycle in pharma R&D and how process, people, data, and technology come together.
• Business intelligence basics: translating operational questions into simple metrics and visuals that drive decisions (e.g., Power BI/Excel).
• Excel & PowerPoint mastery: If you’re not already proficient in Excel and PowerPoint, this internship will make you just that through hands-on work, coaching and training.
• How staff functions power innovation: an inside look at how Legal enables discovery, clinical development, and partnerships at a global company.

Qualifications

We’re looking for an ambitious student who wants to build practical skills while studying.

• Currently studying Business, Finance, Engineering (or related field) and motivated to develop project management skills.
• Structured, analytical, and comfortable working with both qualitative and quantitative tasks.
• A clear communicator in English, able to tailor messages to different audiences.
• Proactive, collaborative, and comfortable with a healthy mix of project work and essential administration.
• Curious about systems and data (experience with SharePoint/Power BI is a plus—not a requirement).
• Proficiency in the MS Office suite is an asset. Not an Excel/PowerPoint pro yet? No problem—you will be by the end of the internship.

About the function & team

R&D Legal supports Novo Nordisk’s research and development organization with pragmatic, business-minded legal advice and operational excellence. R&D Contracts focuses on making contracting simple, fast, and reliable for scientists and study teams—so R&D can focus on science and patients. You’ll join a collaborative environment that values learning, feedback, and teamwork.

Practical details

• Location: Bagsværd, Denmark (hybrid)
• Working hours: full-time 37 hrs/week
• Internship period: 6 months, with potential extension
• Start date: February 2026
• Compensation: Paid internship in line with Novo Nordisk guidelines
• Eligibility: Right to work in Denmark; relocation/work-permit requirements (if applicable)
• Application materials: CV (please include a few sentences about your motivation for this position) and grade transcript

Working at Novo Nordisk 

At Novo Nordisk, we have been changing diabetes since 1923. If you are ready to strengthen our position as an innovative pioneer and respected industry leader, we encourage you to join us to make the most of your talent.

Contact 

For further information please contact Mads Hviid Jensen, Associate Director, R&D Contracts – mhzj@novonordisk.com. 

Deadline 

Please note that applications will be reviewed continuously, and interviews will be planned as soon as suitable candidates are identified.

Millions rely on us

To work for Novo Nordisk, you will need the skills, dedication, and ambition to change lives for the better for millions of patients living with diabetes and other chronical diseases. In exchange, we offer the chance to be part of a truly global workplace, where passion and engagement are met with opportunities for professional and personal development.

Diversity & Inclusion

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants. 

We’re not your typical healthcare company. In a modern world of quick fixes, we focus on solutions to defeat serious chronic diseases and promote long-term health. Our unordinary mindset is at the heart of everything we do. We seek out new ideas and put people first as we push the boundaries of science, make healthcare more accessible, and treat, prevent, and even cure diseases that affect millions of lives. Because it takes an unordinary approach to drive real, lasting change in health.