Principal or Senior in vitro Disease Biologist

Your impact starts here

As Principal or Senior in vitro Disease Biologist, you will turn complex human biology into clear insights that guide drug discovery decisions. Working in the Target Identification & Maturation team, you will drive translational science that connects cardiometabolic disease understanding, human-relevant models and multi-modal data to the discovery and progression of new drug targets and molecules.

What you’ll bring

We are looking for an experienced in vitro scientist who can combine disease area, experimental, and analytical expertise to generate robust evidence and guide decision-making for drug discovery. You will bring scientific and technical depth, sound judgement and the ability to influence effectively in a collaborative, global research environment.

• A PhD or Master’s degree in Metabolic or Cardiovascular biology, Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, or a related discipline.
• Experience in an industry drug discovery, translational research or biotechnology setting.
• Demonstrated experience in developing translational human cell-based cardiometabolic disease models, incorporating functional, imaging and omics-based experimental readouts
• Experience in developing automation-friendly functional genomics- and chemical-based experimental screening workflows, applying Design of Experiment (DoE) principles, and generating reproducible high-quality FAIR data and outputs.
• Strong capability in integrating and interpreting multi-modal data to support target discovery, molecule characterisation and project decisions, including hands-on use of digital/AI tools.
• A track record of leading scientific projects, influencing cross-functional stakeholders, communicating complex findings and mentoring colleagues.
• Experience in novel drug target diligence and evidence package generation is desirable.

You can distinguish robust, decision-relevant evidence from exploratory findings and communicate conclusions clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. You build trusted relationships, remain curious about emerging science and actively contribute to high scientific standards.

What you’ll do

As Principal or Senior in vitro Disease Biologist, you will help shape scientific strategy and translate biological hypotheses into practical discovery approaches. Working with a high degree of independence, you will combine disease area, experimental, and analytical expertise to generate robust evidence, influence decisions and advance our discovery pipeline.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Applying your knowledge of cardiometabolic physiology and disease pathophysiology to identify innovative human-relevant opportunities for drug target and molecule discovery.
• Designing and implementing translational human cell-based cardiometabolic disease models, incorporating functional, imaging and omics-based experimental readouts.
• Developing automation-friendly functional genomics- and chemical-based experimental screening workflows, applying Design of Experiment (DoE) principles, and generating reproducible high-quality FAIR data and outputs.
• Integrating in vitro functional, imaging and multi-omics outputs with other data types - including in vivo, ex vivo, human genetics, clinical and real-world datasets - using appropriate digital and AI tools, to identify targets, mechanisms and translational signals.
• Leading drug target diligence, developing evidence-based target profiles and presenting clear recommendations that support selection, prioritisation and pipeline progression.

You will also collaborate across scientific disciplines and with external partners, communicate the confidence and limitations of findings, and help colleagues develop through mentoring and knowledge sharing.

This role is open at both Senior and Principal Scientist level, and its scope and impact will be shaped by the level at which you join the team.

Who you’ll work with

The Target Identification and Maturation (TIM) department, based within Novo Nordisk Research and Development UK (NNRDUK) in Oxford, UK, is part of Novo Nordisk Global Research. TIM plays a pivotal role in discovering, validating, and advancing novel therapeutic targets and molecules that address unmet patient needs across Novo Nordisk’s research portfolio. Leveraging cutting-edge human biology, advanced experimental platforms, computational approaches, and translational science, the department generates insights that enable target identification, mechanistic understanding, and target maturation towards project initiation. 

Our multidisciplinary teams work across the value chain, integrating in vitro and in silico capabilities, functional genomics, screening technologies, data science, and disease biology to uncover and de-risk new therapeutic opportunities. While maintaining a strong focus on cardiometabolic diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes and related co-morbidities, TIM also supports the exploration of emerging therapeutic areas and novel biological pathways. 

The Oxford research centre thrives on collaboration. We maintain strong partnerships with leading academic institutions, particularly the University of Oxford, as well as biotechnology and technology partners worldwide. As part of a Global Research organization, TIM works closely with colleagues in Denmark, the US, and across Novo Nordisk Global Research to translate scientific discoveries into the next generation of innovative medicines for patients. 

What you can expect here

You will join a scientific community where curiosity and patient focus are central to how we work, and where your expertise can help shape important decisions. You will be trusted to take ownership and make your voice heard, while being supported to grow through mentorship, collaboration, and challenging work across therapeutic areas and development stages.

Application Support

We are an equal opportunities employer, and we are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our applicants. If you are a person with a disability, or if you are neurodivergent and require adjustments during the application or selection process, please email AZZQ@novonordisk.com. Please include your name, the role you are interested in, and the type of adjustment you need, so we can support you throughout the process.

Start now

Your impact begins today. If you are ready to turn complex safety data into insights that protect patients and guide development decisions, apply for the role by 11 October 2026. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.