Principal Scientist - Small Molecules

About the Department                                                                                                                                               

Our Research & Development organization brings together the best minds in life science innovation. The teams located in facilities in Lexington, Watertown, Cambridge and Seattle reflect the full R&D continuum, from early research through late-stage clinical development. Here, we are building for the future, creating a distinct R&D community based on collaboration, partnerships, and cutting-edge research across multiple modalities and therapeutic areas. We recognize that improving human health starts here and that patients rely on us. Our R&D hub merges biotech speed and agility with large pharmaceutical company quality, resources, and stability, uniting the best of both worlds to develop new medicines for patients.

The Position

The Principal Scientist will use principles of small molecule medicinal chemistry to design and develop new drugs, enhance existing products, or develop innovative application-specific solutions.  Evaluates new technologies and recommends acquisition and application of new small molecule technologies.

Proven subject matter expertise. Manages field of expertise that requires highly specialized knowledge of strategic importance to the SVP area. Recognized as an expert in own area within the organization and perceived as expert within one or several key processes across an SVP area. Requires specialized depth and/or breadth of expertise. Interprets internal or external business issues and solutions. Recommends solutions/best practices. Solves complex problems; takes a broad perspective to identify.  Acts as mentor for senior colleagues within field of expertise.

In-depth understanding of subject matter & relationship to other key areas related to drug development; expert-level guidance for project team related to experimental strategies to evaluate emerging targets or technologies; propose & oversee external collaborations & strategic partnerships to further company goals related to therapeutic or technology area; clear understanding of link between scientific project goals & overall/long-term business needs.  May mentor  less experienced team members based on business need, skill, and/or interest.

Relationships

Reports to the Senor Director of Small Molecule. Internal relationships include working closely with technical staff & other members of the scientific leadership team; regular collaborations with members of other research departments at Novo Nordisk; & frequent interaction with project managers & other colleagues across global R&D. Individual may direct the work of other staff members. Individual will interact with external research collaborators both academia- & industry-based.

Essential Functions

• Small molecule drug design and development
  • Utilize principles of small molecule medicinal chemistry to design and develop new drugs or enhance existing products
  • Analyze technical data from experiments and testing to draw conclusions, document results, and secure intellectual property rights (IPR)
  • Evaluate new technologies and recommend acquisition and application of new small molecule technologies
• Optimization of small molecules for low human doses
  • Apply expertise in optimizing small molecules towards low projected human doses
  • Utilize knowledge of drug design and discovery to optimize the safety and efficacy of small molecules
  • Plan, implement, and optimize synthetic routes towards new chemical matter
  • Characterize the mechanism of action (MoA) and mechanism of interaction (MoI) of small molecules
  • Utilize functional biochemical high-throughput screening (HTS) and biophysical HTS techniques

• Management of CRO relationships
  • Recruit and manage relationships with contract research organizations (CROs)
  • Collaborate with CROs to ensure successful execution of drug design and development projects
  • Provide guidance and oversight to CROs in conducting experiments and testing
  • Ensure effective communication and collaboration between internal teams and CROs
  • Monitor and evaluate the performance of CROs to ensure quality and timely delivery of results

Qualifications

• Master’s degree with 12+ years of relevant experience, or PhD with 8+ years of relevant experience required
• Proven expertise in small molecule medicinal chemistry
• Experience in designing and developing new drugs or enhancing existing products
• Knowledge and application of drug innovation understanding
• Familiarity with CRO recruitment and management
• Strong understanding of optimization of small molecules towards low projected human doses
• Proficiency in functional biochemical HTS and biophysical HTS
• Experience in scientific communication and patent writing for the composition of matter
• Ability to plan, implement, and optimize synthetic routes towards new chemical matter
• Knowledge of biochemistry and crystallography
• Experience in designing novel proprietary chemical matter

The base compensation range for this position is $ 148,290 to $ 259,510. Base compensation is determined based on a number of factors. This position is also eligible for a company bonus based on individual and company performance. 

Novo Nordisk offers long-term incentive compensation and or company vehicles depending on the position's level or other company factors. 

Employees are also eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs including medical, dental and vision coverage; life insurance; disability insurance; 401(k) savings plan; flexible spending accounts; employee assistance program; tuition reimbursement program; and voluntary benefits such as group legal, critical illness, identity theft protection, pet insurance and auto/home insurance. The Company also offers time off pursuant to its sick time policy, flex-able vacation policy, and parental leave policy.

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.