Scientific Director

Peptide Research

Måløv, Greater Copenhagen Area, Denmark

We are expanding the Peptide Research area both within our core focus on project execution and with an increased emphasis on technology-driven peptide innovation. For this reason, we are recruiting a Scientific Director to support our developments of the discovery pipeline in peptide chemistry and new peptide technology.

Are you an experienced technology-driven scientist with a strong focus on peptides as therapeutics and interested in working with state-of-the-art peptide innovation? Do you want to be part of driving and implementing the next breakthrough in peptide innovation? Apply today and become part of Novo Nordisk’s mission to improve lives through innovative pharmaceutical solutions!

Your new role

To help shape the future of Peptide Research the primary focus of this position is to help drive and impact the strategic direction of the next generation of peptide drugs.  This includes the practical implementation into our drug discovery research projects as well as the development and implementation of cutting-edge technologies.

The role offers a wide range of opportunities to influence chemical design strategies, champion cross-functional initiatives, and to drive new technology development ideas forward, ultimately making a difference for patients with unmet medical needs. The focus will be on peptides as therapeutics, while also bridging the gap between peptide and protein chemistry.

In this role, you will work closely with stakeholders in our VP area of Protein and Peptide Research and across the entire internal research organisation to ensure alignment and the best path forward for projects.

Some of your key responsibilities will be:

• Define and drive the scientific vision and strategy for next generation peptide design and synthesis. This includes impacting the portfolio across projects with an innovative mindset and concrete technology improvements.
• Champion and drive new technologies, work-flows, and methodologies within peptide research (e.g. automated synthesis platforms, novel building blocks, conjugation strategies etc.)
• Represent Peptide Research across the organisation to maximise the departments influence and impact (e.g. share knowledge, secure internal alignment, and help drive the agenda of peptide innovation)

• Independently provide scientific leadership, mentoring and inspiration across colleagues and drug discovery projects, acting as a strong role model for knowledge sharing by driving the collection of medicinal chemistry knowledge across projects and constructively challenging the status quo.

• Proactively identify and drive a collaborative implementation of new external and internal technology innovations within peptide chemistry.
• Proactively prepare, present, discuss, and prioritise scientific tasks, challenges, and results locally and help drive knowledge sharing across the organisation.
• Drive cross-functional collaborations ensuring and end to end mindset and maximal impact of the resources used in the projects and in technology innovation.

Your new department

Peptide Research is part of the SVP area Therapeutics Discovery within Research and Development. We excel in the discovery and development of peptide and protein as a molecular format aiming to sustain a portfolio of oral and injectable biologics across the entire Novo Nordisk research portfolio. Design and synthesis of peptides and modified proteins are core elements of our daily work. We are expanding both within our core of project execution but also with a stronger focus on technologies and Peptide Research is therefore expanding to continue supporting the discovery pipeline.

We are organised into three departments sharing office and lab space and working closely together across departments. Furthermore, we share office and laboratories with our colleagues from Protein and Peptide Discovery focusing on early project ideation. In Peptide Research you will be surrounded by skilled and open-minded colleagues with diverse backgrounds and multiple nationalities, who enjoy each other’s company and have fun together while doing complex science.

You can expect an inclusive workplace with a focus on continuously developing of each individual employee so that everybody can realise their full potential. We believe that people thriving is the key to success and hence have an intense focus on work-life balance and make room for diverse life situations, always putting people first.

Research & Early Development is vital to Novo Nordisk’s continuous growth. We combine world-class scientific, pharmaceutical, and clinical expertise with the highest ethical standards to continue to improve the quality of life of millions of patients across the world. 

Your skills & qualifications

To thrive and succeed in the role, we expect you to have: 

• A PhD or equivalent in chemistry or a closely related scientific discipline.
• +10 years experience (after PhD) within peptide drug design and drug discovery.
• Proven track record of excellent skills in peptide chemistry innovation and scientific creativity as evidenced by publications/patents.
• Demonstrated experience of identifying and implementing new technologies.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills.
• High level of personal engagement, positive drive, independence, and integrity.

The position requires an inherent curiosity to explore new avenues, a detail-oriented mindset, and the ability to take ownership and responsibility for driving the early research chemistry activities.  

As a person, you are curious and open-minded to new ideas and new way of working. You have excellent communication skills, and you are good at establishing and maintaining connections externally and internally. You thrive in a changing and dynamic work environment, and you enjoy working in the laboratory and in teams to share knowledge. Your passion for science and ability to impact, influence, and progress projects inspires those around you.

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 Carsten Jessen at +45-30752243.

Deadline

19 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.