Executive Director for NIVI Research Center, part of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Initiative for Vaccines and Immunity (NIVI)
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Executive Director for NIVI Research Center, part of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Initiative for Vaccines and Immunity (NIVI)
Background
The Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF) Initiative for Vaccines and Immunity (NIVI), launched in January 2024, with a unique mission to harness airway immunity through innovative vaccine research and development to prevent airborne epidemics.
NIVI comprises two entities working towards a common mission:
By connecting basic science, innovation, translational activities, clinical trials, regulatory processes, and product development, NIVI aims to streamline the journey from research to real-world vaccines.
About the position
UCPH is looking to recruit an Executive Director (ED) for NIVI-R with visionary and innovative leadership.
NIVI is an engaged collaboration partnership between UCPH and NNF and the partnership is particularly highlighted and inherent in the position as ED for NIVI-R as it is combined with a position as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NIVI-D. The two entities will drive the mission and the full value chain of the initiative. The partial positions are fully separated, yet they are prerequisites to each other, held by the same candidate and together forming a full-time position.
Central to the position is the building and development of a thriving environment for both research and translational activities within vaccines and immunology in Denmark. This includes attracting and fostering highly competent and engaged researchers and staff as well as securing infrastructure in collaboration with the department and the faculty.
The ED/CEO is expected to focus on further developing and implementing NIVI’s strategy across the full value chain from research to translational activities and clinical trials, and is expected to develop an operational implementation plan for NIVI by summer 2026.
Key responsibilities include:
Expectations towards the ED
The ED should hold a strong track record of relevant senior leadership experience and demonstrate an engaging, visionary, open minded and creative leadership style to encompass the complex organizational nature of NIVI.
Experience with strategy and organizational development, implementation, financial planning and reporting, and setting ambitious goals and achieving them, are prerequisites. Further, ensuring and nurturing the growth and development of employees in both NIVI-R and NIVI-D is also a prerequisite.
The ED should have experience in the special discipline of leading strong academic research and demonstrate natural authority in leading both high level scientific and support staff.
The ED/CEO should be self-reflective, leading by example and driving performance with a perspective of continuous improvement, being visible and open to mutual feedback. Furthermore, the ED should attract and develop top talent, motivate and delegate effectively, celebrate diversity, and ensure continued success.
Moreover, the ED should preferably have:
Requirements, qualifications, and evaluation criteria
We expect that you:
Salary and terms of employment
For NIVI-R, we expect to employ you in a fixed-term position for a period until 31 December 2031 with the possibility for prolongation, if NIVI-R is continued beyond 2031. The starting date is 1 November 2025 or to be determined by agreement. Working hours as ED for NIVI-R will be on average equal to an employment rate of 80 percent of full-time. A separate contract for 20% of FTE will be entered into by NIVI-D and the Novo Nordisk Foundation. See above for details of the two combined positions that together will constitute a full time position (37 hours/week).
The appointment as Executive Director (ED) at the University of Copenhagen is positioned as a Senior Consultant with personnel management (’chefkonsulent med personaleledelse’).
Salary and other terms and conditions of appointment are set in accordance with the provisions of the collective agreement between the Danish Government and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) with a possibility to negotiate supplements due to qualifications and experience. Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The university will pay an additional 18.07% to a pension fund.
It should be underlined in this regard that for NIVI-D, the CEO position is permanent but conditional on the employment as ED for NIVI-R.
Place of employment
The main place of employment is at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology (ISIM) at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. The job will also involve regular work-days at SSI (Statens Serum Institute), which is situated approx. 5 km from ISIM.
The position is located in Denmark and some travel is to be expected.
Further information
For further information, please contact Head of Department, Charlotte Menné Bonefeld, cmenne@sund.ku.dk.
Information about the University’s unit for International Staff Mobility can be found at: www.ism.ku.dk.
For information about the CEO NIVI-D position, please contact VP, Head of Infectious Diseases, Marianne Holm mho@novo.dk
Application and proposal
Your application should include the following documents:
Tests will be conducted as part of the recruitment process.
Please submit the application online with the required attachments.
The closing date for applications is 23.59 CET, 31 august, 2025.
Please apply through the advertisement at Jobportal. Please click ’Apply Now’ on the side of the advertisement.
Interviews for this position are likely to be held in week 37 2025.
The University of Copenhagen encourages all interested applicants to apply for this position.
The Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF) Initiative for Vaccines and Immunity (NIVI), launched in January 2024, with a unique mission to harness airway immunity through innovative vaccine research and development to prevent airborne epidemics.
NIVI comprises two entities working towards a common mission:
- NIVI Research Center (NIVI-R): A state-of-the-art research center anchored at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology (ISIM), Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen (www.niviresearch.ku.dk)
- NIVI Development (NIVI-D): A not-for-profit company focused on translational sciences and advancing vaccine development. The company is wholly owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation (www.nividevelopment.dk)
By connecting basic science, innovation, translational activities, clinical trials, regulatory processes, and product development, NIVI aims to streamline the journey from research to real-world vaccines.
About the position
UCPH is looking to recruit an Executive Director (ED) for NIVI-R with visionary and innovative leadership.
NIVI is an engaged collaboration partnership between UCPH and NNF and the partnership is particularly highlighted and inherent in the position as ED for NIVI-R as it is combined with a position as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NIVI-D. The two entities will drive the mission and the full value chain of the initiative. The partial positions are fully separated, yet they are prerequisites to each other, held by the same candidate and together forming a full-time position.
Central to the position is the building and development of a thriving environment for both research and translational activities within vaccines and immunology in Denmark. This includes attracting and fostering highly competent and engaged researchers and staff as well as securing infrastructure in collaboration with the department and the faculty.
The ED/CEO is expected to focus on further developing and implementing NIVI’s strategy across the full value chain from research to translational activities and clinical trials, and is expected to develop an operational implementation plan for NIVI by summer 2026.
Key responsibilities include:
- Overall strategy development and implementation, including synergy between NIVI-R and NIVI-D
- Overall general management responsibility for NIVI
- Ensuring fruitful interactions with local and international stakeholders
- Ensuring a promising and diverse vaccine research and IP portfolio
- Establishing a collaborative and translational culture within NIVI
- Attracting and retaining top talent and external funding
- Financial planning and controlling and staffing
- Ensuring the right balance of the interactions between the two entities
Expectations towards the ED
The ED should hold a strong track record of relevant senior leadership experience and demonstrate an engaging, visionary, open minded and creative leadership style to encompass the complex organizational nature of NIVI.
Experience with strategy and organizational development, implementation, financial planning and reporting, and setting ambitious goals and achieving them, are prerequisites. Further, ensuring and nurturing the growth and development of employees in both NIVI-R and NIVI-D is also a prerequisite.
The ED should have experience in the special discipline of leading strong academic research and demonstrate natural authority in leading both high level scientific and support staff.
The ED/CEO should be self-reflective, leading by example and driving performance with a perspective of continuous improvement, being visible and open to mutual feedback. Furthermore, the ED should attract and develop top talent, motivate and delegate effectively, celebrate diversity, and ensure continued success.
Moreover, the ED should preferably have:
- Experience in investigating key scientific concepts to be explored in NIVI
- Proven track-record in leadership of complex public-private organizations or programs
Requirements, qualifications, and evaluation criteria
We expect that you:
- are a visionary and experienced leader at senior or executive level, and that you have the desire and ability to lead and develop NIVI and its employees
- can articulate and pursue the existing vision for NIVI and the entire NIVI organization
- can execute and follow through on mission-driven strategies
- have academic and industry experience in relevant fields
- are experienced in staff management of all groups of personnel, including students
- are experienced in financial management and organizational development
- can attract, motivate, develop, and retain the best talents through dynamic and visible leadership
- have a collegial, visionary, and innovative personality with a flair for communication and teamwork
- are a collaborative, team-oriented individual with the interpersonal and facilitative skills required to driving successful collaborations
- can quickly establish organizational credibility and develop effective relationships required to navigate and lead a research center organization
Salary and terms of employment
For NIVI-R, we expect to employ you in a fixed-term position for a period until 31 December 2031 with the possibility for prolongation, if NIVI-R is continued beyond 2031. The starting date is 1 November 2025 or to be determined by agreement. Working hours as ED for NIVI-R will be on average equal to an employment rate of 80 percent of full-time. A separate contract for 20% of FTE will be entered into by NIVI-D and the Novo Nordisk Foundation. See above for details of the two combined positions that together will constitute a full time position (37 hours/week).
The appointment as Executive Director (ED) at the University of Copenhagen is positioned as a Senior Consultant with personnel management (’chefkonsulent med personaleledelse’).
Salary and other terms and conditions of appointment are set in accordance with the provisions of the collective agreement between the Danish Government and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) with a possibility to negotiate supplements due to qualifications and experience. Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The university will pay an additional 18.07% to a pension fund.
It should be underlined in this regard that for NIVI-D, the CEO position is permanent but conditional on the employment as ED for NIVI-R.
Place of employment
The main place of employment is at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology (ISIM) at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. The job will also involve regular work-days at SSI (Statens Serum Institute), which is situated approx. 5 km from ISIM.
The position is located in Denmark and some travel is to be expected.
Further information
For further information, please contact Head of Department, Charlotte Menné Bonefeld, cmenne@sund.ku.dk.
Information about the University’s unit for International Staff Mobility can be found at: www.ism.ku.dk.
For information about the CEO NIVI-D position, please contact VP, Head of Infectious Diseases, Marianne Holm mho@novo.dk
Application and proposal
Your application should include the following documents:
- A short motivation for why you consider yourself a strong candidate for the position as ED for NIVI-R and capable of mastering the unique combination of the two positions within NIVI, as ED and CEO
- A document describing your thoughts and plans for how you would develop a strong research culture in NIVI – one that will ensure fruitful collaboration and synergies between NIVI-R and NIVI-D over the coming years (maximum three pages)
- A complete curriculum vitae and publication list
- An outline of your leadership experience and approach
Tests will be conducted as part of the recruitment process.
Please submit the application online with the required attachments.
The closing date for applications is 23.59 CET, 31 august, 2025.
Please apply through the advertisement at Jobportal. Please click ’Apply Now’ on the side of the advertisement.
Interviews for this position are likely to be held in week 37 2025.
The University of Copenhagen encourages all interested applicants to apply for this position.