Senior Scientist - Neurobiology and Metabolism

About the Department

Obesity Neurobiology US enables obesity drug discovery by delivering human-relevant nervous system biology that supports target discovery, validation, and translational decision-making in appetite regulation, energy balance, and related cardiometabolic biology. The department generates decision-enabling mechanistic data to improve target selection, accelerate progression, and reduce translational risk across the portfolio.  The team combines advanced in vitro models with receptor pharmacology, functional cellular assays, electrophysiology, genetic perturbation, and multi-omics approaches. We work closely with in vivo pharmacology, chemistry, computational biology, translational, and global project teams, as well as external academic and biotechnology partners, to build robust scientific rationales and progress novel therapeutic concepts.

The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist with deep expertise in neurobiology, metabolism, and receptor pharmacology to advance nervous system focused drug discovery for obesity and cardiometabolic disease. The successful candidate will lead and contribute to target and project data packages, provide hands-on scientific direction for complex preclinical studies, and connect mechanistic findings across human-relevant cellular systems, in vivo pharmacology, and translational evidence.

This role is designed for a scientist who can combine rigorous experimental execution with project-level leadership. The individual will champion selected targets or projects, shape experimental strategy, coordinate cross-functional activities, and communicate clear conclusions and recommendations to project teams and governance stakeholders. The Senior Scientist will also help strengthen departmental capabilities in human-relevant preclinical models, receptor signaling, functional assay development, and mechanism-of-action research.

Relationships

Reports to the Head of Obesity Neurobiology US at Novo Nordisk in Massachusetts. Internal relationships include close collaboration with scientists, technical staff, and leadership within Obesity Research US, in vivo pharmacology, chemistry, computational and digital biology, translational research, and project management; and partners across global Research & Development. The individual may guide the work of junior colleagues and will interact with external collaborators in academia, biotechnology, and contract research organizations.

Essential Functions

• Champion or co-lead selected targets and discovery projects from ideation and endorsement through target validation, maturation, and early project milestones.
• Build scientific rationales and decision-enabling data packages that support project prioritization, governance reviews, and go/no-go recommendations.
• Serve as biology coordinator or scientific lead for cross-functional project teams, aligning experimental plans, dependencies, deliverables, risks, and timelines across functions and sites.
• Integrate receptor signaling, cellular physiology, imaging, electrophysiology, gene-expression, and multi-omics datasets to generate clear mechanistic conclusions and next-step recommendations.
• Develop and apply fit-for-purpose assays for target validation, target engagement, pharmacology, and mechanism-of-action studies across relevant therapeutic modalities.

• Evaluate emerging targets, mechanisms, technologies, and external opportunities relevant to CNS-obesity biology and recommend focused follow-up strategies.
• Contribute to both novel target discovery and support of more advanced portfolio programs, including studies that differentiate efficacy from tolerability-related biology.

• Partner effectively with in vivo pharmacology, chemistry, computational biology, translational, and clinical-facing teams to connect cellular findings with whole-organism and human evidence.
• Initiate and scientifically manage external collaborations and CRO activities; define study objectives, review plans and data, and ensure that external work supports internal project decisions.
• Mentor and train junior scientists in experimental design, data interpretation, project leadership, and scientific communication.
• Share expertise across the department, contribute to assay and model standards, and help expand capabilities in neurobiology, receptor pharmacology, and human in vitro modelling.
• Maintain high standards for experimental rigor, reproducibility, data integrity, electronic laboratory notebook documentation, and transparent communication of results.
• Communicate research through internal presentations, project and milestone documents, scientific publications, patents, and external conferences, as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in neuroscience, neurobiology, cell biology, pharmacology, physiology, molecular biology, or a related discipline with 18+ years of relevant experience; or a master's degree with 12+ years of relevant experience; or a doctoral degree with 6+ years of postdoctoral and/or industry-relevant experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex datasets into clear conclusions and recommendations.
• Relevant required experience includes:
  • Expertise in neurobiology, CNS physiology, or neuroendocrine mechanisms relevant to energy balance and metabolic control.
  • Strong grounding in receptor and intracellular signaling pharmacology, with experience interpreting potency, selectivity, pathway, and mechanism-of-action data.
  • Demonstrated experience leading complex scientific work in drug discovery, translational research, or a closely related setting.
  • Experience coordinating scientific activities across collaborators, functions, or project teams.
  • Experience managing external academic, biotechnology, or CRO collaborations and transferring assays across sites or partners.
• Preferred experience includes:
  • Experience with incretins, amylin, leptin or other metabolic hormone signaling, hypothalamic or hindbrain biology, GPCR pharmacology, or neural circuit mechanisms.
  • Experience supporting small-molecule and/or peptide, protein, oligonucleotide, or other biologic discovery programs.
  • Experience with neuronal systems, including primary neurons, stem-cell-derived neurons, engineered cell lines, brain slices, or other disease-relevant CNS models.

The base compensation range for this position is $140,000 to $190,000.  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're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and defeating diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.

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.