Principal Scientist, Biological Research

Johnson & Johnson • San Diego, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com Job Function: Discovery & Pre-Clinical/Clinical Development Job Sub Function: Biological Research Job Category: Scientific/Technology All Job Posting Locations: San Diego, California, United States of America Job Description: About Innovative Medicine: Our expertise in Innovative Medicine is informed and inspired by patients, whose insights fuel our science-based advancements. Visionaries like you work on teams that save lives by developing the medicines of tomorrow. Join us in developing treatments, finding cures, and pioneering the path from lab to life while championing patients every step of the way. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/innovative-medicine We are searching for the best talent for a Principal Scientist, Biological Research to be in La Jolla, CA. Purpose: We are seeking a highly motivated and innovative scientist to lead the development and implementation of advanced immunological cell-based assays to support drug discovery programs. The successful candidate will be able to lead early drug discovery screening efforts, with a proven ability to apply cutting-edge technologies in a dynamic and collaborative environment, to advance J&J's Immunology discovery portfolio. This position is within Mechanistic Cellular Pharmacology team.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree is required
• Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Immunology, or related fields is highly preferred
• Minimum 6 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and/or academic setting
• Minimum 3 years of pharmaceutical industry experience in assay design and HTS specialization
• Hands-on flow cytometry and imaging experience
• Strong knowledge of immuno-cell biology, pharmacology, and in vitro/in vivo pharmacology models.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, open collaborative style, and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, competitive environment.
• Outstanding communication skills to convey scientific credibility and influence decision-making.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Positive attitude and strong interpersonal skills for stakeholder engagement.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated ability to apply big data analytics and computational tools in drug discovery.
• Track record of strategic thinking and execution in assay development and technology innovation.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize complex cell-based assays utilizing suitable immune cell types, to support discovery projects from hit identification through lead optimization.
• Drive technology innovation for HT disease-relevant screening platforms in collaboration with automation team.
• Lead Immunology discovery programs by leveraging broad technology platforms of DTMP (Discovery Technology and Molecular Pharmacology).
• Develop compelling scientific presentations and reports for internal reviews and external publications.
• Provide scientific leadership and mentorship to team members; Foster collaborative relationships with stakeholders.
• Build and maintain effective scientific networks across internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and best practices in assay development and data integrity.

Benefits

• Employees and/or eligible dependents may be eligible to participate in the following Company sponsored employee benefit programs: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, business accident insurance, and group legal insurance.
• Employees may be eligible to participate in the Company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)).
• Employees are eligible for the following time off benefits: Vacation - up to 120 hours per calendar year Sick time - up to 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington - up to 56 hours per calendar year Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays - up to 13 days per calendar year Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year
• Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child
• Bereavement Leave – 240 hours for an immediate family member: 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year
• Caregiver Leave – 80 hours in a 52-week rolling period10 days
• Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year
• Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees