- Advances research projects by applying broad knowledge of early drug discovery.
- Proposes, designs, develops, validates, and implements in vitro assay technologies.
- Provides subject matter expertise for target validation experiments and mode-of-action studies.
- Evaluates novel assay techniques and drives modification and adaptation of experimental protocols to enable the establishment of screening bioassays.
- Designs and develops biosensors and genetically encoded reporters utilising classic molecular biology and nucleic acid cloning techniques.
- Sources and engineers new cell lines suitable for functional screening, is responsible for cell line maintenance, cell banking and exchange of cell lines with other teams, work in close collaboration with and provides clear guidance to other team members.
- Performs functional cell assays assessing target engagement and intracellular signalling for different modalities in collaboration with chemists and guidance from the respective therapeutic area, adheres to established protocols and study plans.
- Analyses and interprets data independently or with minimal oversight; organizes and presents data in a clear manner; assesses data robustness and reproducibility, draws conclusions from experiments, and provides input on future directions.
- Effectively communicates experimental results within and outside the functional area, guides project teams and other focus groups with subject matter expertise.
- Contributes to the team's knowledge by providing updates on relevant scientific literature.
- Maintains and troubleshoots relevant lab instruments; provides hand-on instructions and training for new and less experience team members.
- Contributes to effective management of consumables, sample inventories, and other shared resources.
- A Bachelor 's degree with 10 years, a Master's degree with 6 years, or a PhD with 0 years of relevant technical experience is required. Degree within biological, biochemical, or pharmacological sciences preferred.
- Relevant technical experience includes:
- Knowledge in cell signal transduction mechanisms and a good understanding of basic pharmacology principles including analysis and interpretation of dose-response curves, various modes of ligand binding, and receptor activation.
- Cellular in vitro functional assays, e.g. secondary messenger accumulation assays, reporter gene assays, FRET / BRET assays, real-time kinetic assays, receptor binding assays, and/or ELISA.
- Prior experience with sterile cell culture techniques and cell engineering.
- Basic molecular biology skills, e.g. nucleic acid purification, PCR, plasmid DNA modification and mutagenesis.
- Preferred experience includes:
- Experience and flair for using liquid handling systems and lab automation.
- Familiarity with advanced data processing tools (e.g. Phyton, R) and/or lab automation programming (e.g. Biomek i5 software).
- Work with G protein-coupled receptors.
- Work with diverse modalities including proteins, peptides, small molecules, and/or oligonucleotides.
- Radiometric assay (e.g. radioligand binding, SPA, RIA), label-free technologies (dynamic mass redistribution cell impedance measurement), and/or cell imaging techniques would be an additional advantage.
Senior Associate Scientist - Watertown, United States - Novo Nordisk
Description
About the Department
As part of the establishment of our R&D Hub in greater Boston, Novo Nordisk is growing its efforts within chemical biology. A cornerstone of this is an expansion of our capabilities in bioassay development to support the validation of drug targets and advance drug research programs that address unmet needs within a broad range of serious chronic diseases. Building on our success in delivering to patients' treatments for diabetes, obesity, and other chronic and rare diseases, we are rapidly growing our activities in our relentless pursuit of the next generation of novel therapies, exploration of new targets across a range of new modalities.
In growing our presence in the greater Boston area via our R&D Hub, we seek to bring together the 100-year heritage and experience of Novo Nordisk with the unparalleled innovation eco-system found in Boston. You will join and help build a vibrant and science-focused team of researchers, where innovation is at the core. Chemical Biology is part of Global Research Technologies, a key part of our R&ED organization which thrives on exploring new drug modalities, innovating screening and characterisation approaches, and enhancing delivery technologies to support projects across all therapeutic areas. We are an interdisciplinary team comprised of chemists, protein engineers, and biologists, and we are currently expanding our in vitro pharmacology screening and mode-of-action study capabilities with novel tools and technologies.
We are based in newly established lab facilities in Lexington and co-located with target discovery and early drug research groups. As part of a team of leading scientists and innovators, you will bring your own ideas and collaborate with others to develop the next generation of medicines. It's ground-breaking work with the promise of improving the lives of millions of people with chronic diseases. If you want to make a difference, join us in pioneering research that can achieve a global impact.
The Position
In your role as In Vitro Assay Development Scientist , you will be responsible for design, development, validation, miniaturisation, and implementation of in vitro assays to support our target validation and drug discovery. You will work with diverse modalities, including proteins, peptides, small molecules, oligonucleotides, and their conjugates. You will play a key role in mode-of-action and structure-activity relationship studies. You will contribute to maturing and advancing scientific ideas into projects within different therapeutic areas through experimental design and execution, ensuring data integrity and reproducibility, and communicating results to diverse project teams.
In your daily work, you will collaborate closely with scientists within the Chemical Biology team, other teams across our growing US R&D Hub, and global project teams. The working environment in Global Research Technologies is dynamic and innovative and involves interactions with colleagues from research sites in Denmark, UK, and China, with an excellent opportunity to establish a strong global scientific network.
Relationships
Internal relationships include project teams and research colleagues within greater Boston R&D Hub as well as in Denmark and around the globe. Communicates data externally when required. Individual Contributor: does not manage other employees or contingent workers.
Essential Functions
Qualifications
As a person you are proactive and engaged with a positive attitude to new ideas and people. You possess good communication skills and enjoy working in teams. You have a flexible mindset and find value in knowledge sharing with other colleagues. You can work independently and use your creativity to find solutions to scientific challenges.
We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.
At Novo Nordisk we recognize that it is no longer good enough to aspire to be the best company in the world. We need to aspire to be the best company for the world and we know that this is only possible with talented employees with diverse perspectives, backgrounds and cultures. We are therefore committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates the diversity of our employees, the patients we serve and communities we operate in. Together, we're life changing.
Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.
If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.