Novo Nordisk

Principal Data Scientist (Ballerup, Capital Region of Denmark, DK)

Ballerup, Denmark Type not listed
Biostatistics & Data Science Principal

Novo Nordisk is the source of truth for this posting and owns the application process. We surface normalized context and market comparison you won't find on the original listing.

About this opportunity

Principal Data Scientist

Location - Ballerup

Your new department

 

The Principal Data Scientist in the Commercial AI & Data department is responsible for designing, developing, and implementing advanced AI and machine learning algorithms to process and analyse structured and unstructured data from diverse sources. You will be part of a business area that drives impact across the full Novo Nordisk value chain. We strive to stay close to our stakeholders in the business to ensure we deliver on their needs, helping reach millions of people living with serious chronic diseases. Our focus is on being at the forefront within our three areas; ensuring the highest quality for patients, being a trusted tech leader and an environmentally responsible business.

Your key responsibilities include:

1. Define Data Science Strategy

Develop and influence the organization's data science vision and roadmap.

Collaborate with senior leaders and executives to align AI/ML initiatives with business priorities.

Help determine where data science can create the greatest strategic value.

2. Lead Innovation and Advanced Analytics

Design and champion innovative AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics solutions.

Solve highly complex business problems through advanced statistical and computational methods.

Evaluate and introduce emerging technologies and methodologies.

3. Serve as a Technical Authority

Act as the organization’s subject matter expert for data science.

Establish best practices, standards, and frameworks for model development and deployment.

Provide expert guidance on methodologies, tools, and architectural decisions.

4. Shape Business Decisions

Translate business opportunities and challenges into data-driven strategies.

Communicate insights, risks, and recommendations to executive leadership.

Influence investment decisions and enterprise-wide initiatives using evidence-based approaches.

5. Mentor and Develop Talent

Coach senior data scientists and technical leaders.

Build organizational capability through mentoring, knowledge sharing, and establishing communities of practice.

Help develop future leaders in data science.

6. Drive Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work across business functions, technology, engineering, analytics, product, compliance, and external partners.

Lead large-scale initiatives that span multiple teams and organizational boundaries.

7. Represent the IT Organization across the Stakeholders’ communities

Bring stakeholders together on the DS strategy and vision

Build external networks and stay at the forefront of AI and data science advancements.

Position the Enterprise AI org. as a leader in data-driven innovation.

Your new department:

 

The Data Scientist in the Commercial AI & Data department is responsible for designing, developing, and implementing advanced AI and machine learning algorithms to process and analyse structured and unstructured data from diverse sources. You will be entrusted with making independent decisions on the selection of suitable methodologies, and techniques for data analysis and model development.

Skills & Qualifications.

Master’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related field. Ph.D. is preferred.

A proven track record of innovation and thought leadership.

Minimum 10 years of experience in data science, machine learning, or AI, with a focus on developing and applying advanced algorithms.

Deep expertise in cutting-edge data science methodologies and technologies

Strong research capabilities and the ability to translate research into business value

Experience developing enterprise-scale data strategies and AI roadmaps.

Ability to provide visionary leadership for the data science function

Broad understanding of pharma industry and Commercial business processes

Strong awareness of ethical and responsible AI practices

Experience influencing strategic decisions through data science and analytics.

In-depth knowledge of machine learning concepts, data modeling techniques and AI solution design.

Experience working with cross-functional teams (data engineering, ML engineering, analytics, product, operations).

Familiarity with MLOps tools and practices (e.g., MLflow, model registries, CI/CD for models) and cloud‑agnostic deployment patterns.

In‑depth understanding and practical experience with architecture, implementation, DevOps and support for AI solutions.

Experience working with cross‑functional teams (data engineering, ML engineering, analytics, product, operations) and external vendors.

Experience in pharmaceutical or regulated industries is beneficial but not mandatory.

Working at Novo Nordisk

Every day we seek the solutions that defeat serious chronic diseases. To do this, we approach our work with determination, constant curiosity and a commitment to finding better ways forward. For over 100 years, this dedication has driven us to build a company focused on lasting change for long-term health. One where diverse thinking, shared purpose and mutual respect come together to create extraordinary results. When you join us, you're not just starting a job – you're becoming part of a story that spans generations.

What we offer

There is, of course, more on offer here than the uniqueness of our culture and the extraordinary results we produce. Being part of a global healthcare company means opportunities to learn and develop are all around us, while our benefits are designed with your career and life stage in mind.

Salary

 

For this role, the Annual B ase S alary ranges from 847,000.00 to 1,245,100.00 DKK, corresponding to the level of the position.

The placement within the salary range will be assessed during the recruitment process based on the candidate’s skills, competencies, knowledge, and relevant experience.

Incentives and Benefits:  The salary package may include short-term and/or long-term incentives as well as other employee benefits based on position level,  location, functional area and relevant market benchmarks.

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

At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've 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 what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're 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.

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Job details

Seniority
Principal
Function
Biostatistics & Data Science
Therapeutic area
Not listed
Location
Ballerup, Denmark
Employment type
Not listed

How this role compares

Computed from every other active Biostatistics & Data Science role in our database, not just this employer's listings.

We currently track 62 comparable Principal Biostatistics & Data Science roles across 16 biopharma companies.

62Comparable roles tracked
55Currently active
16Companies hiring similar roles
12Countries represented

Salary context

24 of 62 peers report a salary range (USD, annualized)

Peers share this role's job function and a matching or adjacent seniority level -- not necessarily the same therapeutic area or country.

This roleSubject Not listed on this posting
Lowest disclosed · Sr. Computational Statistician (R2 – R3) · Lilly $46,842/yr – $117,289/yr
Highest disclosed · Scientific Director, Clinical and Real World Evidence · AbbVie $211,000/yr – $400,500/yr
Peer group range $82,066 – $305,750 (median $181,875)

Where these roles are based

Top locations among the 62 comparable roles

United States37
India6
Japan4
United Kingdom4
Germany3
China2

+ 6 more countries

Seniority mix

62 of 62 peers have a known seniority level

Senior27
Principal24
Director11

Therapeutic area mix

4 of 62 peers have a known therapeutic area; the rest are genuinely unlabeled, not hidden

Oncology4

Similar opportunities

The closest matches from our peer group, ranked by how similar they are, not how well you'd qualify for them -- treat this as market context, not a guaranteed shortlist; a weak match is labeled as one below.

45%similar
Lilly Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America Principal
Same function Same seniority
45%similar
Merck Rahway, New Jersey, United States of America Principal
Same function Same seniority
45%similar
Merck Rahway, New Jersey, United States of America Principal
Same function Same seniority
45%similar
Merck North Wales, Pennsylvania, United States of America Principal
Same function Same seniority

How we calculate "similar"

No black box, no LLM guesswork: a deterministic score built from four normalized attributes. Here's this role's own peer group at different match levels, so you can see the mechanism, not just the result.

Every comparison starts from the same 100-point budget: 25 for working in the same function, 40 for the same therapeutic area, 20 for the same or adjacent seniority, 15 for the same country. A dimension we can't confirm on both sides contributes nothing, never a guess, never a free pass.

45%
Principal Computational Statistician
Lilly · Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America · Principal
Function Therapeutic area Seniority Country
45%
Principal Scientist, Biostatistics
Merck · Rahway, New Jersey, United States of America · Principal
Function Therapeutic area Seniority Country
45%
Associate Principal Scientist, Biostatistics
Merck · North Wales, Pennsylvania, United States of America · Principal
Function Therapeutic area Seniority Country
45%
Senior Principal Biostatistician
Novartis · London (The Westworks), United Kingdom · Principal
Function Therapeutic area Seniority Country
Unmatched or unknown dimensions score exactly the same: 0 points, never a partial guess. A role we know almost nothing about beyond its function bottoms out at 25%; it never inflates to 100% just because there's little to compare against. Seniority uses a defined ladder (Associate → Manager → Associate Director → Senior → Principal → Director → Senior Director → Executive/VP) so "Director" and "Senior Director" count as adjacent, but "Director" and "Executive/VP" do not.