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Senior Scientist - Biology

Employer
Novo Nordisk
Location
Indianapolis, Indiana
Salary
Competitive Base Salary, Bonus, and Excellent Benefits.
Closing date
Nov 11, 2019

Senior Scientist - Biology Job

About the Department
Novo Nordisk Research Center Indianapolis, Inc. (NNRCII) is the home of the Transformational Research Unit-Chemical Biology, an elite research team working autonomously yet in union within Novo Nordisk’s global research mission to transform the management of cardio-metabolic diseases. Enabled by the Novo Nordisk Research & Development organization, the mission of these global Transformational Research Units is to bring forth projects that will expand and diversify the Novo Nordisk pipeline of life-changing medicines. As a Transformational Research Unit, the team at NNRCII operates independently from the core organization in order to cultivate the discovery of disruptive research concepts and accelerate translational validation. This center was established in 2016 when Novo Nordisk acquired two private biotechnology companies co-founded by Professor DiMarchi that were focused on developing peptide-based drug candidates for treatment of diabetes and obesity. Our research program has maintained a state-of-the-art, fast paced character that represents the best practices commonly observed in academic, biotech and pharma companies.

Our scientists are focused on innovative discovery projects pertaining to the treatment of metabolic disorders. We develop and employ cutting-edge biotechnologies to identify, refine, and select suitable drug candidates that possess novel mechanisms of biological action through collaboration with internationally acclaimed academic centers of excellence and integration within aspects of the global Novo Nordisk Research & Development organization. At NNRCII, your skills, dedication and ambition will help us change lives for the better. We will offer you an opportunity to work with extraordinary talent and to continuously develop, while addressing serious chronic medical conditions.

The Position
This position will play a critical role in conceptualizing projects and moving projects from preclinical target validation to clinical candidate selection.

Relationships
Reports to the Director of Biology. Internal relationships include the project teams and research colleagues at the NNRCI and globally at Novo Nordisk research laboratories. External relationships include relevant parts of the peptide & protein sciences and metabolic disease biology community.

Essential Functions

  • Responsible for biological characterization of proteins, peptides, and small molecules, including general in vitro binding, activity and mechanism of action assessment, and support ex vivo biological analyses
  • Responsible for the generation and development of novel in vitro assays for molecular targets that include proteins, peptides and multi-valent compounds. Responsible for the development and implementation of receptor binding, potency, enzymatic, kinetic, internalization, intracellular compartmentalization and other various in vitro cell-based assays
  • Lead the design, assembly, quality assessment and repetitive execution of in vitro biological assays in an independent manner for purposes of characterizing peptide, protein, and conjugate drug candidates for potency, selectivity, and maximal efficacy. This includes versatility in rapid recruitment of new molecular reagents and their integration to a cellular format that is sufficiently robust to support drug development
  • Accurately interpret experimental data, formulate conclusions, conceptualize subsequent testing strategy, and communicate data internally and externally
  • Track novel biochemical, molecular, and cellular methods and related technologies that can be employed at the NNRCI to drive molecular innovation in peptide & protein engineering and formulation
  • Maintains up-to-date scientific awareness and expertise in the fields of drug discovery and metabolic diseases
  • Capable of working independently and proactively, while tracking publicly accessible competitive activity, most notably proficient in the interpretation of patent applications
  • Effectively communicate with supervisor, colleagues and external key opinion leaders to promote a world-class research environment
  • Visible contribution to external community by publishing in high-impact journals and presenting at scientific conferences, as deemed corporately appropriate
  • May lead research projects and programs through cross collaboration of onsite teams as well as global research within Novo Nordisk
  • Understanding of the requirements and experience with the process of transitioning a preclinical discovery to a clinical candidate
  • Physical Requirements
    Approximately 0-10% overnight travel.

    Qualifications
  • PhD in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology or Molecular Biology required
  • Minimum of 2-3 years of postdoctoral experience, or equivalent
  • Minimum of 3 years of industry experience in pharmaceutical research and development, or equivalent
  • Experience with cutting-edge in vitro cellular biology techniques to study receptor engagement, receptor internalization, ligand-receptor residence time, and other advanced readouts to characterize molecular mechanisms of action. Experience with classical molecular biology techniques to generate cellular models to assess target activity, including cloning, cell transfection (stable and transient), and emerging knockdown techniques
  • Expertise with traditional mammalian cell culture techniques
  • Expertise in cellular bioassay generation, development, and validation
  • Experience leading bioactivity campaigns measuring receptor or target potency, efficacy, binding, and molecular mechanisms of action
  • Demonstrated experience in elucidating mechanism of action and signal transduction pathways in fields of metabolism or endocrinology. “Outside the box” creativity in setting and achieving project goals is an expectation
  • Extensive hands-on experience in conceptualizing, developing, implementing, running, and validating receptor pharmacology assays, including assays for binding kinetics
  • Experience with methods for surveying protein-protein interaction, particularly hands-on experience with Biacore instrumentation and western blot analysis
  • Experience with automation set up such as liquid handlers and miniaturizing assay formats
  • Advanced knowledge pertaining to metabolism and pathophysiology of various metabolic diseases is highly desirable
  • Proficient in cutting-edge microscopy and high content imaging for cellular assays and ex vivo histological profiling
  • Ability to thoroughly evaluate and critique results obtained within the department, with particular emphasis on troubleshooting inter-assay variance
  • Outstanding written and oral communication skills, and interpersonal skills to seamlessly fit within a teamwork driven environment
  • Demonstrated strong understanding of complex scientific procedures with technical proficiency

Novo Nordisk is an Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.

If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

Requisition ID: 60044BR
State/Provinces: Indianapolis
Job Category: Research

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