Associate Director, Head of Discovery ADME

Therapeutics Discovery

Måløv, Denmark

We are looking for an Associate Director who is passionate about leading and growing both individuals and a department. If you thrive in an international environment that values empowerment, trust and curiosity, and if you are excited about using your scientific expertise to shape the future within LC-MS bioanalysis and ADME, this could be the right opportunity for you.  

Join us today and contribute to Novo Nordisk’s mission of enhancing lives through innovative pharmaceutical solutions.

Your new role

You will work in an area called Centre for Bioanalysis and ADME, which contains two departments, one of which is Discovery ADME. A key strategic objective will be to ensure a future-ready organisation in research with respect to LC-MS bioanalysis and ADME characterisation to ensure selection of competitive drug candidates.

The department is responsible for LC-MS bioanalysis of molecular formats such as peptides, proteins and small molecules, and ADME contributions include, but are not limited to, metabolic stability assays, metabolism ID and plasma protein binding. Using your people leadership competencies, collaborative skills and scientific background, you will guide the team and engage in cross-organisational collaborations to maximise impact in the early-stage project portfolio.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Delivering on responsibilities and executing overall departmental goals and strategies.
• Cultivating a motivating and empowering work environment, focusing on individual development and accountability.
• Developing a future-ready setup for drug discovery in the protein and peptide space using cutting-edge technologies.

• Overseeing and prioritising resources in projects from ideation to early clinical stage, transferring knowledge to colleagues in development.
  
  

We provide an inspiring and ambitious work environment where you can feel empowered to challenge the status quo and experiment with new ways of working, culture and development of the area and employees.

Your new department

The Discovery ADME department is part of the Therapeutics Discovery area. We excel in LC-MS bioanalysis and ADME characterisation of different molecular formats. We support the early phase of our research projects, and we have a strong focus on automation and digitalisation. You will join a high-performing department of 17 dedicated scientists and laboratory technicians, and you will be surrounded by welcoming and open colleagues with diverse backgrounds, who have fun together while doing complex science.

Your skills and qualifications

We see people as our most important asset to achieve success and therefore expect you to have a genuine interest in people leadership.

To thrive and succeed in this role, you should have:

• Demonstrated leadership experience and promoting the development of a team in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.  
• A Ph.D. in life sciences, with a relevant scientific background in drug discovery or development. A collaborative leadership style with the ability to adjust strategies and approaches to suit evolving circumstances.
• A talent for driving innovation while aligning with business strategies and objectives.
• Experience in cross-functional team collaboration and stakeholder management at various levels.

As a person, you:

• Excel in actively listening to team members' concerns, acknowledging diverse perspectives, and fostering open dialogue and feedback.
• Understand the importance of leading and supporting people to deliver their best.
• Quickly build trust and have a natural ability to build relationships.
• Thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

What we offer

There is, of course, more on offer here than the uniqueness of our culture and the extraordinary results we produce. Being part of a global healthcare company means opportunities to learn and develop are all around us, while our benefits are designed with your career and life stage in mind.

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.

More information

For further information, please contact Director Jørgen Olsen, Centre for Bioanalysis and ADME: jqgo@novonordisk.com.

Deadline

26 April 2026.

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

You do not need to attach a cover letter to your application, but please include a few sentences about why you are applying in your resume or CV. To ensure an efficient and fair recruitment process, please refrain from adding a photo to your CV.

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.