Associate Director, Centre for Functional Assay and Screening

Therapeutics Discovery, Research & Development

Måløv, Denmark

Are you passionate about leading and developing people and teams? Do you combine scientific depth with leadership to deliver a culture of collaboration, trust, and curiosity? If so, you could be the new people leader for the Centre for Functional Assay & Screening (CFAS).

Your new role

As Associate Director, you will lead a scientifically strong department of eight scientists and five technicians within CFAS, anchored in Drug Function & Screening which is part of Therapeutics Discovery. Your team develops functional in vitro biological assays across multiple therapeutic areas and enables high-throughput -screening and characterisation in early-stage research projects to support lead candidate selections.

Working in close synergy with co-leaders in a shared co-leadership model, you will strengthen a future-ready, integrated screening organisation, combining biological and technical insights to improve efficiency and impact across the early project portfolio. You will guide scientists and project leaders on screening strategies within a project-based matrix setup and actively drive cross-functional collaboration across therapy areas.

Key responsibilities include:

• Ensure strong collaboration across CFAS and partner teams, co-leading shared responsibilities and contributing to CFAS strategy
• Foster a motivating environment that enables growth, accountability, and psychological safety
• Enable a future-ready, automated screening setup for protein and peptide modalities incl. efficient and highly automated workflows for data logistics and analysis
• Guide project teams on screening strategy and ensure timely availability of relevant high-throughput assays and characterisation using various cellular and non-cellular in vitro models
• Drive cross-functional collaboration and prioritise resources across projects
• Ensure support to CFAS responsibilities in cross-functional deliveries incl. -in vitro immunogenicity assessment for early candidates and transfer robust cell-based potency assays to CMC

Your new department

You will join CFAS which is a part of Therapeutics Discovery in R&D. Our mission is to build and progress a pipeline of competitive novel therapeutics ensuring scientific excellence and operational efficiency in drug discovery, from idea conception to lead candidate selection. 

Our aim is to accelerate drug innovation, streamline project execution, and enhance overall productivity and time to decision across the research portfolio.

Your skills & qualifications

We value strong people leadership and a genuine interest for developing high-performing teams. In this role, you will work closely with peers in the CFAS co-leadership model and contribute to a collaborative leadership environment.

To thrive in this role, you should have:

• A Ph.D. in life sciences combined with a background in drug discovery
• Demonstrated leadership experience in promoting psychological safety and team development
• A collaborative, adaptable leadership style with the ability to maintain stability and direction during change
• Experience driving innovation aligned with strategic and business objectives
• Proven cross-functional stakeholder management skills across functions and organisational levels

As a person, you:

• Actively listen, encourage open dialogue, and value diverse perspectives
• Build trust quickly and influence across teams
• Are resilient in ambiguity and setbacks, supporting the team and your peers
• Thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

In Therapeutics Discovery, we lead with intent—ensuring everyone feels valued, motivated, and proud of their work. Inclusive, empowering leadership is a key skill for you, and you will naturally demonstrate it.

Working at Novo Nordisk

Every day we seek the solutions that defeat serious chronic diseases. To do this, we approach our work with determination, constant curiosity and a commitment to finding better ways forward. For over 100 years, this dedication has driven us to build a company focused on lasting change for long-term health. One where diverse thinking, shared purpose and mutual respect come together to create extraordinary results. When you join us, you're not just starting a job – you're becoming part of a story that spans generations.

What we offer

At Novo Nordisk, you’ll join a global healthcare company with a unique culture and strong results. We offer continuous learning, career development, and benefits tailored to your life and career stage.

Salary: For this role, the Annual Base Salary ranges from 847,000.00 to 1,245,100.00 DKK, corresponding to the level of the position.

The placement within the salary range will be assessed during the recruitment process based on the candidate’s skills, competencies, knowledge, and relevant experience.

Incentives and Benefits: The salary package may include short-term and/or long-term incentives as well as other employee benefits based on position level, location, functional area and relevant market benchmarks.

Learn more about our Reward Philosophy here.

Deadline

21 June 2026.

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 preventing 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.