Associate Scientist (1-year Parental Leave Cover)

Skeletal Muscle Biology & Insulin Sensitivity

Måløv, Denmark

Scientific discovery has always been about pushing boundaries, but in this role at Novo Nordisk, you’ll go beyond science itself to drive innovation and create meaningful impact.

Join us as an Associate Scientist for a 1-year parental leave cover role and help us drive innovation and deliver transformative therapies.

Your new role

As an Associate Scientist in Skeletal Muscle Biology & Insulin Sensitivity, within Global Research, you will play a key role in advancing drug discovery projects, translating scientific insight into transformative therapies through cutting-edge target validation and experimental research.

Your daily key responsibilities include:

• Planning, conducting, and concluding on experiments aligned with project timelines and departmental objectives
• Ensuring scientific excellence through accurate documentation, adherence to protocols, and compliance with regulatory standards
• Collaborating with technicians and scientists on experimental planning, execution, and data interpretation
• Contributing to departmental activities, including maintaining laboratory systems and standard operating procedures to ensure high scientific standards
• Applying an innovative approach to daily work, identifying solutions to experimental challenges and continuously improving lab processes and workflows
• Participating in internal and external projects, innovation groups, and business meetings

Please note that Novo Nordisk does not offer relocation for this role. We welcome applications from candidates who are locally based and able to work on-site.

Your new department

In Research & Development, you will be part of a unit that researches transformative therapies that are scalable and globally accessible. We combine scientific questions with AI tools and human data, partner with leading institutions, and value curiosity and diversity of thought. Together, we explore scientific ideas and advance them into treatments for clinical testing. 

The Skeletal Muscle Biology and Insulin Sensitivity department consists of 15 highly dedicated people of different nationalities and scientific backgrounds. Our focus is to identify, explore and perform early validation of novel targets and potential drugs targeting skeletal muscle or insulin sensitivity.

Your skills & qualifications

We are looking for a proactive and motivated Associate Scientist who thrives in a high-paced research environment and is eager to contribute to cutting-edge science in skeletal muscle biology and insulin sensitivity. You’ll bring with you:

• A MSc in cell biology, chemical engineering, biochemistry, or a related life sciences field
• A minimum of 2 years of hands-on laboratory experience within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry or academia
• Strong technical expertise in primary mammalian cell cultures techniques, along with experience with qPCR, ELISA, and imaging
• Solid communication and collaboration skills, with a proactive mindset in reaching ambitious goals through teamwork and shared purpose
• Proficiency in English, both verbally and in writing
• A self-motivated and agile approach, coupled with a true global mindset and the ability to thrive in a rapid environment with shifting priorities

Experience with human skeletal muscle cell culture work, including 3D models, is a strong advantage, as is prior experience in the field of metabolic disease and related assays.

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.

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.

Contact

For further information, please contact Department Manager, Birgitte Ursø, at bur@novonordisk.com.

Deadline

2nd of February 2026

Applications will be 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.

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.