Senior Director, Neuroimmunology Research

Johnson & Johnson • San Diego, PA

7h • Hybrid

About The Position

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is seeking an accomplished scientific leader to join our R&D organization as Senior Director, Neuroimmunology Research, reporting to the VP of Global Discovery and External Innovation for Neuroscience. This role will be responsible for strengthening the relationship between J&J’s Neuroscience and Immunology therapeutic areas. This role will work closely with the therapeutic area leadership and Disease Area Stronghold (DAS) leaders in co-creating and implementing the NeuroImmunology strategy to identify Clinical Candidates that can be developed in the clinic. The successful candidate will lead this work within the Discovery Organization and will partner effectively across multiple functions to ensure excellent execution of the strategy. This role is instrumental in our mission to strengthen our NeuroImmunology portfolio and build a transformational Neuroscience portfolio to develop novel treatments for Neurodegenerative and Neuropsychiatric Diseases as well as treatments for selected ophthalmology indications such as Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and Geographic Atrophy. The role requires excellent communication and teamwork skills, an appetite for innovation, as well as keen attention to detail and organization. You should have a sense of purpose and drive, and a passion to address the considerable unmet medical need in Neuroscience and an alignment with our CREDO-based courage & care culture.

Requirements

• PhD, or MD/PhD in Immunology or Neuroscience
• 10+ years of relevant industry and/or academic experience, with significant leadership experience in drug discovery or translational research.
• Deep expertise in relevant immune-science (Treg biology, immune tolerance mechanisms, and/or B cell depletion strategies).
• Strong understanding of the role of the immune system in neurological diseases.
• Experience translating biological insights into therapeutic hypotheses and development programs.
• Demonstrated success leading matrixed, multidisciplinary teams
• Strong publication record in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and executive presence.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead scientific strategy at the interface of immunology and neuroscience, contributing to the overall TA strategy, with a focus on novel therapies for neurological disorders
• Provide deep subject matter expertise in: Regulatory T cell (Treg) biology and immune tolerance, B cell biology, antibody-mediated disease, and deep B cell depletion approaches, Autoimmunity, neuroinflammation, and CNS immune mechanisms
• Identify opportunities to apply immune-modulating approaches to diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, multiple sclerosis, and autoimmune psychosis
• Build and strengthen cross-functional collaboration between J&J’s Neuroscience and Immunology Discovery teams.
• Support the VP of Early Development in shaping the translational strategy to move assets to the clinic.
• Present projects and strategy at governance meetings.
• Lead target identification, validation, translational strategy, biomarker development, and portfolio prioritization in neuroimmunology programs.
• Guide internal and external research collaborations with academic institutions, biotech partners, and key opinion leaders.
• Represent the company externally through scientific conferences, advisory boards, and publications.
• Drive scientific excellence and ensure programs are informed by cutting-edge external science and competitive intelligence.
• Support external collaborations and diligences on licensing and M&A opportunities

Benefits

• 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 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: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree