Scientific Manager (18 months maternity cover)

Are you driven to create meaningful global health impact at one of the world's largest philanthropic organisations? Then this maternity cover role may be of interest to you. We are seeking a maternity cover for 18 months for a Scientific Manager to join our Clinical Medicine & Diabetes Department at the Novo Nordisk Foundation. In this role you will help advance our mission to improve people's health and the sustainability of society and the planet. The ideal candidate is strategic, internationally experienced, and forward-thinking with a strong clinical research background and an innovative mindset.

We believe that diverse perspectives and experiences fuel creativity and strengthen our ability to tackle complex health challenges. Currently, the Clinical Medicine and Diabetes Department employs 11 highly qualified, collaborative and ambitious colleagues distributed across two teams: ‘Clinical Diabetes’ and ‘Nutrition and Cardiometabolic Diseases (CMDs)’. We take pride in learning and contributing across the organisation, and to bring science-based progress in advancing prevention and management of CMDs.   

Clinical Medicine and Diabetes is part of the NNF Health Area. In the Health Area, our dedication to creating a positive impact drives us to work together towards a healthier future for all. The Health area is led by Chief Scientific Officer, Professor Flemming Konradsen, and consists of approximately 60 dedicated colleagues placed in six different departments who are passionate about promoting and improving equity in the prevention and management of CMDs, infectious diseases, nutrition and other significant health outcomes.

 The Job

As the maternity cover for a scientific manager in Clinical Diabetes, you will report to the Vice President of Clinical Medicine and Diabetes, Marie-Louise Hartoft-Nielsen.

Your responsibilities will be broad and varied. They will include developing high impact strategic initiatives within i.e. gestational diabetes, pre-diabetes, obesity, and the interaction between diabetes and infectious diseases. You will work on projects/initiatives covering the entire scientific value chain, from basic research to implementation research. In addition, you will be responsible for engaging with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring strong execution of on-going strategic initiatives, reviewing applications submitted through competitive open calls, and engaging with researchers and organisations, nationally and globally.

 Your main tasks will among others include:

• Identify and drive the development of high-quality scientific initiatives within diabetes and obesity based on excellent scientific methodologies

• Support the Vice President of Clinical Medicine and Diabetes on matters requiring medical and scientific expertise

• Prepare and present project pitches and presentation to leadership to progress projects in our gate system

• Collaborate with functional areas when processing applications and initiatives

• Engage with internal and external stakeholders on strategic initiatives

 Professional and personal qualifications

We are looking for a scientific manager with a PhD, preferably an MD, with +7 years of experience from clinical work and potentially also from academia. It is an advantage if you have insight into the scientific value chain from basic research to clinical translation and implementation. This might come from experience from industry and/or public health research and development.

We imagine you have:

• Health scientific and clinical background with experience in diabetes and cardiometabolic diseases,

• Experience in clinical research methodologies including clinical trials, cohort studies, and translational medicine

• Proven experience in project management

• Medical Degree is preferred (not required)

• Experience from a philanthropic foundation and working internationally is an advantage

You are analytical and a strong communicator of research results, research projects and research evaluations.       

You must understand the nature and culture of science and academia, including its ecosystem of stakeholders, and know how to convert this insight into impactful partnerships.

You possess excellent English communication skills (both verbal and written), are skilled in stakeholder management and adept at navigating complex and dynamic environments.

 As a person, you are compassionate and collaborative by nature. You are visionary, quality-conscious, and impact-oriented. While you are ambitious and proactive with a structured approach to problem solving, you are also willing to take on tasks outside your remit where circumstances call for it. Others would describe you as curious, disciplined, resourceful and resilient, and praise your professional and collaborative way of working.

Working at the Novo Nordisk Foundation  

We offer a committed and professional workplace in which we emphasize ensuring that our colleagues thrive, are challenged, and have opportunities to develop their potential. A career at the Novo Nordisk Foundation gives you the opportunity to work:   

• On important projects that improve people’s health and the sustainability of society and the planet.  

• With key actors within research and development in Denmark and internationally.  

• As part of a dedicated team that is passionate about creating impact. 

Application 

For more information, please contact Vice President Marie-Louise Hartoft-Nielsen on e-mail: [email protected]

We encourage you to send your application as soon as possible and no later than 24 February 2026, as we will be conducting interviews on an ongoing basis.

To apply, please send your CV, cover letter, grade transcript from university or similar, and other relevant documents by clicking the “Apply now” button.  

About the Novo Nordisk Foundation 

Established in Denmark in 1924, the Novo Nordisk Foundation is an enterprise foundation with philanthropic objectives. The vision of the Foundation is to improve people’s health and the sustainability of society and the planet. The Foundation’s mission is to progress research and innovation in the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic and infectious diseases as well as to advance knowledge and solutions to support a green transformation of society.