Principal Scientist, Protein Purification, Team Lead

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine•Spring House, PA

23h•Onsite

About The Position

At Johnson & Johnson Biologics Discovery, we work in a fast-paced R&D environment applying rigorous scientific principles towards advancing groundbreaking protein therapeutics. In support of this mission, you will lead a team of scientists who deliver purified antibodies, multispecifics, and other therapeutic proteins for characterization and in vivo studies. Your group will combine purification science, process development, automation, and protein biochemistry to generate preclinical candidates and drive decision-ready data. As a partner across Discovery and Development, you will connect biological activity, manufacturability, and program strategy. You will set direction, build an inclusive and accountable culture, and guide technical decisions that advance the strongest leads. You will lead and develop a protein purification team at the center of biologics discovery. We are seeking an exceptional scientific ideator and empathetic people leader who can identify bold, practical solutions to discovery challenges, turn large and complex datasets into insight, and apply strong protein biochemistry expertise to advance therapeutic leads.

Requirements

PhD in biochemistry, biochemical engineering, chemical engineering, protein science, or a related discipline, plus 5+ years of pharmaceutical or biotechnology experience in biologics or drug discovery.
Demonstrated experience leading and developing scientists and creating an inclusive, collaborative, high-accountability team.
A drug-discovery orientation, including sound judgment under uncertainty and experience using data to guide molecule or lead-candidate decisions.
Deep expertise in purification and characterization of proteins, antibodies, or other biologics, with hands-on experience in chromatography, FPLC, HPLC, and relevant analytical methods.
Experience originating or optimizing purification processes and transferring scalable approaches to development partners.
Ability to influence across functions, communicate complex science clearly, and make timely decisions while inviting diverse perspectives.

Nice To Haves

Bispecific or multispecific antibodies, novel protein therapeutics, complex molecular formats, or antibody mechanisms of action.
Discovery-to-development process transfer, developability assessment, early CMC partnership, or manufacturability strategy.
Laboratory automation, high-throughput purification, integrated data systems, advanced analytics, or responsible use of AI-enabled tools.
Scientific publications, patents, external collaborations, or other evidence of scientific curiosity, initiative, and impact.

Responsibilities

Build and develop the team. Coach scientists, set clear expectations, provide useful feedback, and create an environment where people can grow, raise risks, and ideate.
Drive lead-selection decisions. Partner with multidisciplinary project teams to define molecule-quality strategies, interpret integrated data, manage trade-offs, and advance therapeutic leads.
Set purification strategy. Guide fit-for-purpose purification and process development for antibodies, multispecifics, and other recombinant proteins, including scalable handoff to development partners.
Apply technical judgment. Use deep knowledge of chromatography, FPLC, HPLC, protein quality, and analytical methods to balance purity, recovery, speed, scalability, and downstream needs.
Improve how the work is done. Advance automation, digital tools, and data workflows that strengthen throughput, reproducibility, and scientist experience.
Deliver through partnership. Align priorities and communicate progress, decisions, and risks across expression, protein engineering, biophysics, pharmacology, and process development.