Help shape the future of clinical development and contribute to bringing innovative treatment solutions to patients worldwide. Clinical trials turn scientific ideas into treatments people can rely on, and you will help make that happen. Over two years and three rotations, you will work with global stakeholders, take on meaningful responsibilities and gain a unique end-to-end perspective in the planning and delivery of clinical trials. Along the way, you will develop the capabilities, strategic mindset and business understanding needed to lead and make an impact in a complex and highly regulated healthcare environment.
The Trial Excellence Graduate Programme offers a strong foundation for a career working in the intersection of planning and executing clinical trials. Through digitally enabled processes, new ways of working and strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, our Global Trial Portfolio function helps bring innovation to life and create value for Novo and the patients we serve. Through your two-year rotational journey, you will work in our headquarters in Denmark and in a Clinical Development Centre in one of our affiliates. You will build experience in:
- Planning and executing global clinical trials
- Supporting operational trial deliverables and timelines
- Collaborating with trial sites and cross functional stakeholders
- Understanding trial conduct from global, regional and local perspectives
- Coordinating activities across different phases of a clinical trial
- Working with stakeholder management, knowledge sharing and process improvement
You will also develop broader capabilities in project management, communication, stakeholder engagement and operational excellence.
Your three rotations will be shaped by business needs and strategic priorities, giving you exposure to the value chain and different parts of clinical development. An example could look like:
First rotation, Clinical Operations Obesity, Denmark: Starting at our headquarters, you will join a team in Clinical Operations to work in the role as a Global Trial Manager, while gaining a comprehensive introduction to corporate life.
Second rotation, Trial Operations, Clinical Development Centre United Kingdom: Experience trial management from a local perspective. You will get insight into how trials are conducted at sites, work with affiliate stakeholders and strengthen your understanding of how global trial strategies are translated into operational execution.
Third rotation, Global Trial Allocation, Denmark: Return to Denmark and work in one of our enabling functions, to drive trial planning, strategy development, data generation and work with stakeholders across a global network. You may take responsibility for a defined project, support trial optimisation initiatives and apply the knowledge, network and capabilities gained from previous rotations.
As a Trial Excellence Graduate, you will build a broad understanding of how clinical trials are planned, From day one, you will work on meaningful assignments, contribute to your rotation teams and collaborate with colleagues across the value chain.
The programme offers you:
- Accelerated personal and professional development
- Strong networking opportunities in a global company
- Insight into the development and delivery of innovative medicines
- Responsibility for projects and deliverables within your rotation teams
- Development of project management, communication, stakeholder management and leadership capabilities
- Being part of a diverse global graduate network
Together, these experiences will help you build the scientific insight, trial management knowledge, business understanding and collaboration skills needed for a future career in clinical trial operations.
You are curious, ambitious, and motivated by making a meaningful difference. Excited by the opportunities offered by AI, digital technologies, and data driven decision making, you are eager to build business and value chain acumen in a global healthcare company. You thrive in collaborative environments, communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, and bring a team player mindset to everything you do. You adapt quickly, embrace new challenges, and demonstrate the drive and eagerness to continuously learn, experiment, and grow. Above all, you are motivated by creating meaningful impact for patients and consumers and inspired by our ambition to bring lasting health to millions more people around the world.
In addition to your personal qualifications, you have:
- A recent Master’s degree from 2026 or 2027 in a relevant field, for example natural sciences, life sciences, health sciences or related disciplines. Ideally complemented by courses in business administration, strategic management, economics or data management.
- No more than 1 year of full-time work experience
- International experience from for example internships or studies abroad
- Relevant experience from internships, student jobs or extracurricular activities
- International mindset and are globally mobile
- Professional fluency in English
You are welcome to apply for more than one track. However, we recommend you to carefully consider which tracks you will apply for and your motivation for doing so. You will have to make an individual application for each programme track and we encourage you to only apply for the tracks that you would be truly excited to join.
Be yourself and share why Novo Nordisk is the company you want to work for. What motivates you and why do you think being a graduate could be amazing. We would like to know who YOU are.
No, our corporate language is English, so speaking Danish is definitely not a requirement. There may be local language requirements for some International Operations (IO) tracks.
Yes, as long as you plan to graduate before the start of the Graduate programme. It is also accepted if you have not received your official graduate diploma before starting in the Graduate Programme, as long as you have finished your studies and are just waiting for the official papers.
This position is designed as an entry-level role, and while many graduates join the program directly after their studies, we also consider candidates with up to one year of post-graduate experience.
Previous pharmaceutical work experience is not a requirement to apply for the programme.
For the Global tracks you will be employed by our HQ organisation and most of the positions will start in Denmark, except for Global Tax, where you will commence your rotations in either Denmark, US or in one of our International Operations locations globally.
For the International Operations tracks you will be employed in one of our specified hiring countries for 2026, where you will undertake your first rotation.
Upon successful completion of the programme, you will be offered a position in Novo Nordisk, therefore full mobility and flexibility is required as the location is not pre-determined.
