Senior Principal Scientist, Statistical Genetics

Senior / Principal Scientist Statistical Genetics Novo Nordisk Research Center China

AI & Digital Innovation/ Data Sciences/ Digital Biology/ Novo Nordisk Research Center China (NNRCC): Research Insights China

Are you motivated to shape target discovery and portfolio decisions through human genetics

Do you thrive in an interdisciplinary research environment where you can build up new scientific capabilities leveraging global collaborations while influencing/driving early pipeline decisions Are you passionate about translating human genetic evidence into actionable target and disease insights that accelerate drug discovery for patients with serious chronic diseases If so you could be our next Senior / Principal Scientist Geneticist at Novo Nordisk Research Center China.

About NNRCC

Novo Nordisk Research Center China (NNRCC) founded in 1997 is the first R&D centre established by a multinational pharmaceutical company in China. NNRCC plays an integral role in Novo Nordisks global R&D organisation leveraging strong connections with local academic clinical and innovation ecosystems to advance early discovery and translational research. Our ambition is to generate and progress high impact research projects that strengthens NNs pipeline and improves patient outcomes in China and worldwide.

About the area & the Position

In AI & Digital Innovation (ADI) our vision is to accelerate drug discovery and development by embedding AI digital science and data at the core of R&D decisionmaking and improve speed precision and productivity across the pipeline ultimately serving patients in line with Novo Nordisks strategic goals. Within ADI Digital Biology is the R&D expert function for genetics computational biology and clinical omics driving best practices scalable capabilities and innovation to embed genetics and omics evidence into discovery and development decisions. At the Beijing site Research Insights China (RIC) delivers highquality highspeed digital biology and data science analyses in direct support of NNRCCs strategic objectives acting as a local subjectmatter-expert hub while remaining closely aligned with global strategy and practice.

In this role within Research Insights China you will apply comprehensive statistical genetics and multiomics analyses to support early discovery and target progression with increasing ownership from highquality execution to endtoend scientific leadership depending on experience. You will work across GWAS WES/WGS and integrative multiomics datasets leveraging statistical genetics approaches to generate decisionrelevant insights. The role includes responsibility for leveraging global platforms and infrastructure while building local data and analytical capabilities enabling site specific genetics pipelines to be executed efficiently and reproducibly. As experience and influence grow you will lead targetfocused analytical strategy integrate genetics with proteomic transcriptomic and singlecell data to establish mechanistic and causal evidence and actively influence go/nogo portfolio decisions. You will also have the opportunity to source lead and mature local cohort collaborations with the longer term goal of strengthening local human genetics capability and enabling sustained pipeline impact. Operating in close collaboration with experimental and computational teams this position is suited for a scientist who combines analytical expertise clear scientific communication and cross functional collaboration with the potential to grow into a role of strategic influence and scientific leadership within drug discovery research.

Key Responsibilities

• Co-Define and lead local statistical genetics strategy for early discovery and translational projects
• Design and execute population and statistical genetics analyses leveraging biobanks cohorts and multi-ancestry datasets
• Integrate human genetics with patient-derived multiomics functional assays and disease models to generate mechanistic hypotheses and decision relevant insights.
• Embed genetic evidence into target prioritisation and portfolio decision frameworks clearly articulating strengths limitations and uncertainty.
• Build and scale local capability in human genetics (and potentially RWE) including methods workflows and scientific best practices in alignment with global strategies.
• Partner closely with digital biology target discovery and progression teams to guide target discovery program ideation to data package maturation towards pipeline project approval.
• Communicate complex scientific findings clearly and confidently to senior stakeholders translating analyses into strategic recommendations.
• Contribute to scientific publications internal knowledge sharing and external visibility strengthening NNRCCs impact in the local and global ecosystem.

Requirements

• PhD in human genetics statistical genetics genomics computational biology bioinformatics epidemiology or a closely related field.
• Significant postPhD experience in pharmaceutical biotech or translational research environments with demonstrated impact on discovery or early development programmes.
• Knowledge and experience in GWAS WGS/WES Mendelian Randomization fine mapping rare variant analysis colocalization QTL integration and polygenic risk.
• Deep expertise in human genetics and population genomics including experience with largescale human genetic datasets and post GWAS analyses.
• Understanding of how genetic evidence is used to derisk and prioritise drug targets across the discovery value chain is highly preferred.
• Proficiency in relevant analytical and programming environments (e.g. Python R) with experience working on complex high dimensional biological data.
• Experience enabling secure reproducible and compliant data workflows while supporting efficient local scientific execution and portfolio delivery
• Ability to operate independently at a senior level driving initiatives end-to-end and influencing crossfunctional teams without formal authority.
• Strong communication skills and a proven ability to engage and collaborate across disciplines and cultures. Fluent in English is a MUST.

Preferred Experience

• Experience integrating genetics with single-cell/spatial transcriptomics proteomics and/or imaging data.
• Exposure to real-world evidence (RWE) population health data or causal inference frameworks (e.g. Mendelian randomisation).
• Proven experience in building or contributing to local data and analytical infrastructure supporting genetics and multi-omics pipelines in a research or discovery setting
• Familiarity with machine learning or advanced datadriven approaches applied to biological or clinical data.
• Track record of scientific creativity demonstrated through publications novel project initiation or cross-disciplinary collaboration.
• Strong interest in capability building and scientific leadership within a growing research organisation.

Personal Attributes

• Impact driven and motivated by improving patient outcomes.
• Scientifically curious rigorous and comfortable working with ambiguity.
• Clear communicator who can bridge technical depth and strategic insight.
• Collaborative inclusive and able to thrive in a dynamic fast-paced environment.
• Humble accountable and eager to learn and grow with the organisation.

Why Join Novo Nordisk

At Novo Nordisk you will join a collaborative and purpose driven research environment with the opportunity to shape high impact research projects build new capabilities locally and influence global discovery decisions. We offer a supportive culture that values scientific excellence diversity and inclusion and sustainable worklife balance all while working toward our shared mission of improving the lives of patients with serious chronic diseases.

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk were not chasing quick fixes were creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years weve 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 whats possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives seek out bold ideas and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together were 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.