Post-doc / Project Scientist in Simulation Modeling

Are you looking for your next move as a post-doc? Would you like to use your knowledge of Simulation Modelling Do you want to be part of the innovation of Drug Development? If yes, join us as Post-Doc/Project Scientist in Simulation Modeling in the Real-World Science - Diabetes Department. Apply now! About the department In the Development area of Novo Nordisk, we are responsible for managing clinical product development worldwide from early development phases to product launch and beyond. We provide medical and scientific documentation for clinical submissions and authorities while ensuring that the process lives up to global standards, regulations and business ethics. The Real-World Science - Diabetes Department is part of Novo Nordisk Data Science. In Real-World Science - Diabetes we provide insights and evidence based on statistical analysis of Real-World Data (RWD) to support decision making and evidence generation throughout product development in Novo Nordisk. By leveraging a blend of scientific, problem-solving, and quantitative skills, we provide superior RWD based insights that empower Novo Nordisk to further develop and deliver life-changing products. We work in multidisciplinary teams with strong collaboration across all areas of the organization and engage in external collaborations to ensure access to cutting edge research and methods.

We believe in the value of a diverse and inclusive culture. Together, we build and grow talent to ensure the development of new solutions. The team is comprised of collaborative, diverse and passionate people who have a true sense of pride in their work. We are committed to helping each other grow, and we are driven by the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people living with chronic disease.

The Position This 3 years limited-term position is part of a larger project with the aim of developing a simulation tool to predict short- and long-term outcomes of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and obesity, and the impact of treatment on these outcomes, to inform drug development at different stages. The project includes three post-docs/scientists who are expected to collaborate closely together and with specialists from different areas, including, but not limited to, data science and modeling, and medical sciences. In addition, collaboration with external organizations and universities is also possible. Within this position, you will be responsible for the development of a discrete time-steps Monte Carlo simulation model at patient level (individual-based model) to model chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. The model will incorporate both short and long-term dynamics such as disease progress, treatment effects and biomarkers per simulated individual. The model will be used to simulate both short- and long-term outcomes of these diseases and the effects of different treatments on these outcomes, in order to provide optimal treatment options for the patients. These long-term outcomes include cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD) and all-cause death. You will have the opportunity to design the model and collaborate with two post-docs/scientists within the project who will deliver information and algorithms, such as PK-PD and risk models, to be incorporated within the model. In addition, specialists with different skills and backgrounds will be available to provide necessary advice and guidance when needed. You will have access to data from multiple clinical trials as well as Real-World data from different sources and regions of the world, which can be used to parametrize and validate the model. Furthermore, you will have access to a platform with large computation capacity to enhance delivery and ease tasks. In addition, you will have the possibility to establish collaboration with relevant research groups or universities, if deemed useful for the project. The model will have a broad application within drug development to, among other applications, inform the design of future clinical trials, assets prioritization, scientific and payer communication and ultimately guide physicians and patients to optimal treatment decisions. Furthermore, the model is expected to support different drugs under development, and hence you will have the chance to influence drug development at different stages, and broadly within the organization. Your tasks will be to:

Develop a discrete time-steps Monte Carlo simulation model to simulate short- and long-term outcomes of chronic diseases including diabetes and obesity and their treatment effects. The model should be well-designed, well-documented, version controlled and able to run in a relatively short time to allow timely predictions.

Conduct model validation and scenario analysis.

Actively collaborate with project participants to execute the tasks within the project.

Write scientific publications to document the model and your findings.

Physical Requirements 0-10% overnight travel required. Qualifications A master’s degree in natural or computer sciences, engineering, mathematics, physics, or statistics. A PhD or equivalent degree in a related subject or equivalent experience from research and/or development. Relevant experience includes:

Experience in developing Monte Carlo simulation models of individual agents (e.g. people), and preferably Monte Carlo simulation models with dynamic nature such as discrete time-steps models.

Strong programming skills and experience writing advanced, well-performing and maintainable code in R, Python, Julia, C++ and/or C.

Experience in mathematical modeling using differential equations.

Experience in programming in version-controlled systems such as Git.

Good written and oral communication skills

Able to work in collaborative projects and sometimes under strict deadlines

Preferred experience includes:

Experience with completing or participating in scientific publications

Detail oriented with strong documentation skills

Experience in classical statistical methods such as regression models, survival analyses, propensity score matching, linear mixed effects models.

Experience in ML or AI

Experience developing interactive software or dashboards used by others, e.g. Shiny or Streamlit

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. Novo Nordisk requires all new hires to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to the first date of employment. As required by applicable law, Novo Nordisk will consider requests for reasonable accommodation. Employment duration and location This is a limited term position for 3 years starting from 1 March 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. The candidate will be situated in Soeborg, Denmark. Remote working can be discussed for the proper candidate. Contact For any further information please reach out Gregers Stig Andersen, Manager at [email protected] Deadline 02 January 2024. Applications will be reviewed continuously, and interviews will be planned as soon as a suitable candidate is identified. You do not need to attach a cover letter to your application, but please include a few lines about your motivation in your resume or CV. Please assist us in maintaining a fair and inclusive selection process by not attaching a photo to your application. 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.