Principal Scientist, Computational Pathobiologist

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine•Ambler, PA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Pathobiology Department within Preclinical Sciences and Translational Safety (PSTS) is seeking an intellectually bold, highly motivated scientific leader to help shape the next generation of Computational Pathobiology. As Principal Scientist, you will do more than support science—you will help build the digital and analytical engine that powers our science, shaping the future of translational safety. In this role, you will democratize Pathobiology data and design, build, and deploy modern data pipelines, automations, and AI‑enabled analytics that transform multimodal nonclinical data into clear, decision‑ready insight. You will translate complex Pathobiology questions into actionable data science challenges, applying analytics, visualization, modeling, and AI to generate mechanistically grounded adverse outcome pathways, deepen understanding of on‑ and off‑target safety findings, and strengthen translational safety confidence across the portfolio. Pathobiology brings together toxicologic and clinical pathologists, immunotoxicologists, and biomarker, molecular and histopathology scientists to support the breadth of the J&J portfolio. This role is best suited for a scientifically grounded computational leader who thrives in cross-functional environments and can communicate effectively across experimental biology, data science/data engineering/IT, and leadership.

Requirements

Minimum of a Master’s degree in a relevant scientific or computational discipline is required
6+ years of proven experience applying data science/engineering and biostatistics to biomedical (human or animal) multimodal data.
Fluency in programming languages: Python and/or R
Experience leveraging agentic AI and generative AI to automate workflows, derive programmatic solutions, and embed biological context.
Cloud computing and deployment experience (e.g., GCP, Azure, AWS, Snowflake, Posit Connect).
Strong foundation in AI, Machine learning and Statistics (e.g. clustering, random forests, SVM, LLMs, regression modeling and statistical inference, integrative analysis, AlphaFold)
Strong understanding of scientific method and hypothesis testing
Experience developing data visualization and dashboarding tools (e.g., Spotfire, Power BI, R Shiny).

Nice To Haves

PhD is preferred
Familiarity with medical terminology and healthcare data standards (SNOMED, CPT, HL7).
Proficiency in SAS
Experience in the biopharmaceutical industry.
Understanding of digital image analysis, biomarkers, and multi-Omics.
Experience leading AI/automation/data engineering/dashboarding/analytics projects for immunology, biomarkers, digital pathology, and investigative pathology.
Publication and public speaking record

Responsibilities

Shape the Pathobiology Digital Transformation Vision and Strategy
Partner closely with Pathobiology scientists and leaders across functions to identify, prioritize, and deliver high‑impact data use cases aligned with PSTS priorities.
Drive implementation of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles through fit‑for‑purpose metadata, standards, and workflows.
Build Scalable Data Foundations
Establish workflows to ingest CRO Pathobiology data in near real time.
Develop and implement scalable processes for data ingestion, integration, curation, standardization, and warehousing.
Ensure robust quality, governance and reproducibility practices are embedded from the ground up.
Deliver Insight Through Sophisticated Analytics, Visualization & AI
Create tools that support search, interpretation, reporting, and scientific storytelling.
Apply analytics, intuitive visualizations, and decision‑focused summaries tailored to diverse scientific and leadership audiences.
Partner to deploy statistical, machine learning, and AI approaches to complex, multimodal datasets.
Collaborate to achieve Cross‑Functional Digital Delivery
Collaborate across PSTS, Discovery Statistics, IT, and Data Science teams to assess the current data and platform ecosystem
Co‑create or guide the creation of clear, practical digital roadmaps aligned with strategic priorities.
Advance Digital Pathobiology
Enable key Digital Pathology initiatives, including LIS support, digital imaging hardware and software, and whole‑slide image repositories.
Develop algorithms to help prioritize and screen candidate drug targets based on tissue expression data.
Create composite measures and algorithms to identify translationally relevant blood- and tissue-based safety biomarkers.
Serve as Technical & Scientific Leader
Act as a trusted subject matter expert in data science and engineering, biostatistics, and AI, guiding solution selection and implementation.
Build familiarity with and drive adoption of J&J data science tools and digital ecosystem.
Manage stakeholders and deliver results via collaboration in matrixed organizations
Drive AI literacy through training and education.
Mentor colleagues and drive AI and data analytics literacy across Pathobiology and PSTS.
Foster a culture of data quality, FAIR principles, and data‑driven decision‑making.
Communicate Science with Impact
Independently interpret and communicate findings through high‑quality reports and presentations.
Present insights in multidisciplinary forums.

Benefits

highly competitive, performance-based compensation programs
annual performance bonus
medical
dental
vision
life insurance
short and long-term disability
business accident insurance
group legal insurance
Company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension)
savings plan (401(k))
long-term incentive program
Vacation –120 hours per calendar year
Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Colorado –48 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington –56 hours per calendar year
Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –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 period
Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year
Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year