About the Department

Novo Nordisk, a global health care company, is committed to discovering and developing innovative medicines to help people living with diabetes lead longer, healthier lives. To support this, Novo Nordisk is conducting research on stem cell therapy. Stem cell research raises hopes for improved treatment of Type 1 Diabetes and for future treatments with cell transplantation therapy. This treatment could be offered to people with many different serious chronic diseases caused by the degeneration of specific cells, such as Type 1 Diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes is manifested by the selective destruction of the insulin-producing cells in the body, which leads to a life-long dependence on insulin injections to control blood sugar levels. It is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. Cell therapy may offer a better treatment by replacing the lost cells with new insulin-producing cells derived from stem cells, thus avoiding daily multiple insulin injections as well as numerous blood glucose tests. This treatment may also offer better blood glucose control, which is crucial to avoid late-stage complications such as blindness and kidney failure. In this project Novo Nordisk will generate new stem cell lines to be used in future cell therapies to treat Type 1 Diabetes, Parkinson’s and chronical heart failure. Are you ready to make a difference?

The Position

The Scientist I - Cryopreservation is to develop the formulation and process for cryopreserving lead candidates of cell therapy drug product. This role will play a crucial role in establishing the knowledge foundation for cryopreserving cells in complex formats such as clusters or encapsulation, delineating the key biophysical characteristics impacting the post-thaw survival and function of cryopreserved cell materials. As a subject matter expert for cryopreservation, this role will focus on extensive experimental work, encompassing preparing formulations, aseptic handling of cells, freezing and thawing cells, conducting analytical assays, gathering, interpreting and presenting data, and drafting and executing experimental protocols with thorough documentation in electronic lab notebooks.

Relationships

This role reports to the Associate Director – Cryopreservation and works closely with other functions, for example, research, CMC development, manufacturing, and device. This role will engage external capabilities such as academic collaborators and industrial partners for knowledge sharing, material discovery, method and process optimization for cryopreservation.

Essential Functions

• Conduct cryopreservation development work within cell therapy areas, involving highly complex activities and receiving minimal guidance

• Design and execute experiments to investigate, identify, and optimize formulation and protocol enabling cryopreservation of cell therapy drug products with post-thaw survival and function meeting predefined criteria

• Conduct analytical assays including cell viability, cluster size distribution, apoptosis, hormone secretion, and other phenotype and functional evaluation

• Analyze and interpret complex data with high degree of sophistication, drive conclusions, and integrate findings into the iterative development process

• Identify and create improvements in methods, techniques, and approaches

• Author electronic lab notebooks, internal reports, protocols, QMS documentation, and external publications

• Effectively communicate and collaborate across global sites and provide subject matter expert input to cross-functional project teams

• Mentor and coach more junior team members

• Engage external vendors, CDMOs and CROs for sourcing and developing key materials and testing critical quality attributes for cryopreservation

  Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 6+ years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree with 4+ years of relevant experience, or a Doctorate degree with limited to no experience required

• Extensive knowledge of cryobiology, biopreservation, heat and mass transfer, thermodynamics, and cell biology

• Strong hands-on experience with equipment and processes commonly used for cryopreservation

• Hands-on experience with cell culture

• Demonstrated aseptic cell handling skills

• Deep understanding and extensive experience using chemical and physical characterization equipment and test systems, e.g., rheometry, osmolality, molarity, and pH

• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently

• Ability to pay close attention to specifics and complete tasks with a strong focus on accuracy and timeliness

• Excellent constructive verbal and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills of engaging with personnel at all organizational levels

• Preferred experience:

• Drug product development experience in cell and gene therapy

• Biologics formulation and/or pharmaceutical excipient development experience

• Deep understanding of cell interactions with formulations (media) and medical devices (materials, surface finished, physical environment)

• Experience with, or knowledge of, extra-cellular matrices as relevant to mammalian cells

• Familiarity with operating room and other clinical procedures

• Demonstrated ability to cultivate strong and effective working relationships and maintain alignment with global project teams

• Experience with mentoring and coaching junior colleagues

  The base compensation range for this position is $125,000 to $145,000. Base compensation is determined based on a number of factors. This position is also eligible for a company bonus based on individual and company performance.

Novo Nordisk offers long-term incentive compensation and or company vehicles depending on the position's level or other company factors.

Employees are also eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs including medical, dental and vision coverage; life insurance; disability insurance; 401(k) savings plan; flexible spending accounts; employee assistance program; tuition reimbursement program; and voluntary benefits such as group legal, critical illness, identity theft protection, pet insurance and auto/home insurance. The Company also offers time off pursuant to its sick time policy, flex-able vacation policy, and parental leave policy.

The job posting is anticipated to close on March 30, 2025. The Company may however extend this time-period, in which case the posting will remain available on our careers website at www.novonordisk-us/careers.com.

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 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.