Senior Scientist, Biologics Optimization

Johnson & Johnson•Spring House, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Biologics Optimization team within Biologics Discovery is responsible for the design and optimization of lead biologic variants across multiple therapeutic modalities to achieve differentiated functional outcomes aligned with desired therapeutic mechanism of action (MoA). In this position, the Senior Scientist will serve as key driver in dissecting engineering strategies that translate molecular design into improved biological function and optimized binders across diverse therapeutic modalities. The Senior Scientist will be an integral member of the Biologics Optimization team that works on the cutting edge of protein science and technologies to deliver fit-for-purpose optimized protein sequences supporting the therapeutic pipeline. This role requires experience in antibody and protein engineering, display-based technologies and mechanism-driven biologics discovery. The successful candidate will partner closely with Therapeutic Area scientists, computational scientists, protein engineers, and drug discovery teams to develop and implement optimization strategies that enhance potency, selectivity, efficacy, and define overall therapeutic mechanism of action and performance. The Senior Scientist will be expected to establish and champion scientific best practices in function-driven optimization, leveraging detailed understanding of antibody structure-function relationships, protein sequence space, and biological pathways to guide engineering decisions. In this role, the Senior Scientist will help shape portfolio-wide platforms and therapeutic programs by advancing future optimization capabilities, developing enabling technologies, and collaborating across functional groups to drive the discovery and molecular engineering of differentiated biotherapeutics. The Senior Scientist will have the opportunity to participate on and grow into leadership roles for discovery project teams and interact seamlessly with world-class Therapeutic Area scientists.

Requirements

A minimum of 1 year of relevant industry experience in biologics discovery, protein engineering, or therapeutic optimization is required.
Experience in antibody and protein engineering with a demonstrated ability to advance therapeutic molecules through optimization cycles.
Understanding of antibody structure-function relationships, including variable region architecture, framework and CDR design, sequence liabilities, affinity maturation, specificity engineering, and developability considerations.
Hands-on experience with cell-based functional assays across oncology or immunology areas (e.g. T-cell redirection, immune modulation)
Hands-on experience with display-based technologies for protein engineering and optimization, with preference for yeast display and/or mammalian display platforms.
Strong understanding of therapeutic biology and demonstrated experience applying biological insights to address function-driven engineering challenges.
Proven ability to evaluate therapeutic mechanisms of action and design optimization strategies that improve biological activity, efficacy, selectivity, or target engagement.
Zeal for addressing complex scientific questions and solving novel challenges with creativity and a collaborative spirit.
Demonstration of successful implementation of new ideas with calculated risk taking.
Abilities to lead by influence and communicate across teams with diverse backgrounds is required.
Demonstration of clear, concise, and timely communication skills, exemplified by peer-reviewed publications is required.

Nice To Haves

Candidates with a Master’s degree: 3 years of industry experience is preferred
Candidates with a PhD: 1 years of industry experience is preferred
Experience in protein structure modeling and visualization tools such as Schrödinger, MOE, PyMOL, Chimera, or AlphaFold-based workflows.
Hands-on experience with high-throughput binding assays and screening technologies, including ELISA, SPR, MSD, flow cytometry, or related platforms.
Understanding of mammalian protein expression systems, including transient expression and recombinant protein production workflows.
Demonstrated ability to establish new scientific capabilities

Responsibilities

Lead biologics optimization efforts across multiple therapeutic programs, translating target biology and desired mechanisms of action into rational protein engineering strategies.
Serve as a subject matter lead in function-driven optimization: champion novel development efforts aimed at fulfilling strategic long-term antibody design/optimization initiatives and validation.
Develop optimization strategies that integrate antibody sequence, structure, developability, and biological function to achieve program objectives.
Participate on project teams to advance discovery portfolio projects.
Act as a point of accountability for optimization engineering asks and manage project timelines independently.
Partner with teams across TD/TA to define critical functional hypotheses and establish screening cascades that enable MoA-driven decision making.
Apply computational, AI/ML, and data-driven approaches to guide variant design, library construction, sequence prioritization, and hit selection.
Evaluate emerging technologies and develop innovative approaches to accelerate biologics optimization workflows and therapeutic discovery.
Independently present/defend scientific findings in multi-functional project teams/initiatives.
Independently plan, analyze and interpret experimental results and draft patent applications, manuscripts, protocols, SOPs, technical reports, etc.