Postdoctoral Researcher in Advanced Image Analysis

Pathology & Imaging

Måløv, Denmark

Are you passionate about advancing medical image analysis? Do you want to contribute to cutting-edge research in computational pathology? Novo Nordisk, in collaboration with the University of Oxford, is looking for a talented Postdoctoral Researcher to help shape the future of computational pathology.

If this sounds like you, read on and apply today.

Your new role

You will be working on a joint Novo Nordisk-University of Oxford project. The aim of the project is to develop and apply artificial intelligence to digitized images of tissue sections from preclinical animal studies, thereby automating and refining the diagnosis of pathology. The project is part of Bigpicture, a public-private partnership funded by the EU Innovative Medicines Initiative.

When developing new medicines, safety of the drugs is tested in animal toxicity studies. The most important endpoint in such studies is histopathological assessment of all major tissues from the animals. This analysis is normally conducted by highly specialized toxicopathologists through manual assessment of histology slides. This project aims to develop image analysis algorithms that can assist and replace manual reading of slides by toxicopathologists and ultimately increase our biological understanding of how tissues are affected during development of toxicity.

Training and validation of image analysis algorithms will be conducted on whole-slide images from Novo Nordisk’s internal image repository as well as on whole-slide images from the large Bigpicture image repository. The project will be supervised by highly experienced toxicopathologists and histology scientists from Novo Nordisk as well as Professor Jens Rittscher, University of Oxford, who has extensive expertise in developing deep learning-based algorithms for microscopy and computational pathology.

As a Postdoctoral Researcher in Advanced Image Analysis, you will have the opportunity to:

• Develop and apply AI and deep learning methods for analysing whole‑slide histopathology images
• Train and validate image analysis models using internal Novo Nordisk repositories and Bigpicture datasets
• Contribute to improving automated workflows that support or replace manual slide assessments

The project will commence as soon as a candidate has been recruited and run until January 31st 2027.

Your new department

You will be employed in the Pathology & Imaging department in Novo Nordisk’s research hub in Måløv. During the project, there will be a longer-term visit to the department of Engineering Science in Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division, University of Oxford, United Kingdom.

The Pathology & Imaging team at Novo Nordisk delivers state-of-the-art histology, pathology, and spatial omics to progress drug discovery and development projects. Digitalisation and advanced image analysis are integral parts of the work.

The Rittscher lab at Oxford University specialises on quantitative image analysis applied to cell and tissue images at the microscopic and subcellular scale. We have extensive expertise in developing deep learning-based algorithms for microscopy, computational pathology, and endoscopy. For more information, please visit https://eng.ox.ac.uk/people/jens-rittscher/.

Bigpicture is a public-private partnership funded by the EU Innovative Medicines Initiative bringing together academic institutions, small- and medium-sized enterprises, public organisations, pharmaceutical companies, and a large network of partners. The aim of the project is to set up the first European ethical and regulatory compliant community-based platform bringing together an unprecedented amount of quality-controlled annotated pathology images and artificial intelligence algorithms. For more information, please visit https://bigpicture.eu/.

Your skills & qualifications

This role requires a highly independent and solution-oriented researcher who can navigate a complex computational landscape where not all answers exist yet. You will work at the intersection of cutting-edge academic research and industry, bringing strong technical expertise, structured and collaborative attitude and the ability to communicate results clearly.

To succeed in this position, you likely have:

• A relevant PhD in computer science, computational image analysis, medical imaging, or related discipline
• Strong expertise in image analysis and deep learning methods, while AI-driven computational pathology will be advantageous
• Proficiency in programming and experience working in complex computational environments
• A self-driven approach with the ability to independently design, conduct, and manage research activities
• Fluency in English and strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to present findings and write scientific publications

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 Senior Principal Scientist Henning Hvid at +45 3075 4983.

Deadline

12 February 2026

Applications will be reviewed and candidates interviewed at an ongoing basis, so please 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.

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.