Senior Scientific Lead within environmental microbiology

Are you passionate about working to create a more sustainable society? Would you like to be part of an inspiring team that supports the development of excellent and impactful research projects together with our key stakeholders?

The Novo Nordisk Foundation’s Biotech programme area is looking for a Senior Scientific Lead with a background in environmental microbiology related to industrial biotechnology, food and agriculture.

Biotech is a strategic programme area in the Novo Nordisk Foundation with the aim of advancing research and technology within biotechnology, biomanufacturing, agriculture, and food sciences. Our aspiration is to promote the development of a more sustainable world by supporting advancements that benefits people and the sustainability of society.

The Biotech area currently consists of 16 highly qualified and passionate colleagues working in teams. The Senior Scientific Lead will join the Biomanufacturing team. As a team, we strive for the high quality in our work and aim for making a difference having an impact on global sustainability. We volunteer feedback in a trust-based working environment. We value creativity, common inspiration, teamwork, and a relaxed and fun collegial atmosphere.  

The Job

As Senior Scientific Lead you will, together with colleagues in-house and key external partners at universities, research centres, and companies, lead the development of research projects and programmes to be granted by the Foundation and implemented in society. You will be responsible for developing, implementing and managing initiatives within environmental biotechnology, and have the opportunity to shape our strategy within this area.

Your tasks will include to:

• Lead development of strategic initiatives related to plant/soil microbiomes, food science and industrial and environmental biotechnology
• Build and manage a portfolio of projects, supporting grant holders during the entire lifetime of the project to ensure the highest quality output and impact
• Follow the scientific and technical development within environmental microbiology with a focus on potential translation into solutions within agriculture, food and bioremediation
• Expand and strengthen the Foundation’s activities to support fundamental research within environmental microbiology
• Establish national and international partnerships and build communities within environmental microbiology
• Manage projects, including day-to-day operations and implementation of initiatives
• Prepare and write internal presentations and/or documents, such as position papers, and recommendations to NNF Project Portfolio Board and Board of Directors

Professional Qualifications

To thrive in this role, you must be motivated by working with project management activities across projects and organisations in collaboration with colleagues and external stakeholders.

We imagine that you hold a PhD in environmental microbiology or related academic discipline. You have a minimum 10 years of relevant work experience in academia or similar scientific track record, e.g. at Associate Professor or full Professor level.

Furthermore, we expect that you possess:

• Proficient project management skills and ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously and with a variety of diverse stakeholders
• Desire and ability to think strategically
• Experience in establishing larger consortia across sectors, disciplines, and societal actors
• Understanding of the national and international academic community within microbiology
• Fluency in English, both spoken and written

Personal Qualifications

We are looking for a Senior Scientific Lead with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain good relations and partnerships. The candidate should be a team-player, though be able to work independently and make decisions on issues related to administration of grants, projects, and communication. Beyond this, we are looking for a colleague who is:

• Professional, quality-conscious, and impact-oriented
• Proactive with an innovative mindset
• Curiosity-driven and inventive
• Visionary and goal-oriented
  ​

Application and Information

For more information, please contact Scientific Director, Torben Vedel Borchert on email [email protected]. We encourage you to upload your application as soon as possible and no later than 1 August 2024. Due to summer holidays, we will hold interviews during the second half of August.

To apply, please upload your CV, cover letter, and University transcripts by clicking on the “Apply” button.

About the Novo Nordisk Foundation

The Novo Nordisk Foundation dates back to 1922 and is an independent Danish foundation with corporate interests. Our vision is to contribute significantly to research and development that improves the lives of people and the sustainability of society.

Since 2010, the Foundation has donated more than DKK 30 billion primarily for research at public institutions and hospitals in Denmark and the other Nordic Countries. The Foundation gets its income from ownership of the Novo Group companies and more than 130 other life science companies.

In the coming years, the Foundation will broaden its scope and increase its grants for scientific, humanitarian and social purposes. As a consequence, we are a growing organisation, which means new job openings and exciting opportunities for employees to be a part of forming the future of the Foundation.