Senior Scientist, Discovery- Oncology

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine•Spring House, PA

3d•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 jnj.com. As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit. 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. About Oncology 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. Our Oncology team is focused on the elimination of cancer by discovering new pathways and modalities to finding treatments and cures. We lead where medicine is going and need innovators with an unwavering commitment to results. Join us in developing treatments, finding cures, and pioneering the path from lab to life while championing patients every step of the way. We are searching for the best talent for a Senior Scientist, in Oncology Discovery, Innovative Medicine, located in Spring House, PA. Join our Oncology In Vivo team and drive the characterization and development of small molecules, biologics, radioligands, antibody-drug conjugates, cell therapies, and immune modulators for cancer treatment, coordinating cross-functional teams and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. You will lead in vivo and ex vivo studies across multiple research programs and contribute to the advancement of innovative therapies. The Senior Scientist will join the Oncology in vivo group efforts in the characterization and development of small molecules and biologics including those that function as immune modulators for the treatment of cancer. They may also characterize new cell therapies such as CAR-Ts. They will be responsible for contributing to and managing ex vivo and in vivo studies for multiple research programs across the different stages of pre-clinical drug discovery. Their responsibilities include the design, execution and interpretation of in vivo studies for the validation and characterization of targets or therapeutic agents in the area of oncology and tumor immunology. Specifically, the candidate will establish and perform in vivo model development, target inhibition, efficacy, mechanism of action, and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) biomarker studies, and will evaluate the influence of dose, schedule and therapeutic combinations in various cancer models.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (BS/ BA) in the life sciences (molecular/ cellular biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, tumor immunology) with at least 10 years of relevant pharmaceutical or biotech industry/ lab/ academic experience OR a Master’s degree (MS) with at least 7 years of relevant experience, or PhD with 1-3 years of relevant post-graduate experience.
Ability to cell culture of cancer and immune cells.
Experience with oncology-relevant xenografts and syngeneic mouse models is required; primary grafts, orthotopic models, humanized models, or genetically engineered tumor models are preferred.
Experience with small molecules and/ or biologics is required
Strong skills in tumor implantation techniques and dosing, proper handling of therapeutics, tumor measurement, health monitoring, and data collection and analysis are required.
Strong organizational skills including the ability to manage several projects simultaneously; detail oriented with excellent record keeping skills are required.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with matrixed teams, internally and externally, is required.
Excellent data management and record-keeping skills are required.
Ability to effectively present scientific data and concepts to colleagues and teams is critical, and experience presenting at external meetings is also required.
Proven track record of adherence to animal welfare and compliance regulations is critical.

Nice To Haves

primary grafts, orthotopic models, humanized models, or genetically engineered tumor models are preferred.
Experience with immune-modulatory agents, vaccines or cell therapies such as CAR-Ts is desirable.
Experience with bioluminescent imaging, flow cytometry, IHC, ELISA, RT-PCR, Westerns, or Luminex® is desirable.
Experience with mentoring or managing direct reports is desirable.
Experience in writing technical drafts for patent filings, IND (US-FDA) or CTA (EMA) filings is desirable.

Responsibilities

Design, execute, and interpret independently in vivo pharmacology studies to validate and characterize oncology targets and therapeutic agents.
Develop and optimize in vivo models, including efficacy, mechanism of action, PK/PD biomarker studies, and dose/schedule evaluations in diverse cancer models.
Lead the development and adaptation of research methods from literature or internal innovation to improve existing models.
Perform and oversee complex in vivo preclinical cancer studies, ensuring scientific rigor, compliance with all regulatory requirements, internal quality standards and timely delivery.
Analyze and present data using appropriate statistical methods in formats suitable for internal stakeholders and external publications.
Collaborate across functions and contribute to projects beyond your own area, acting as a scientific resource and thought leader.
Manage multiple projects simultaneously, coordinating with project leaders and external partners as needed.
Mentor and supervise junior scientists, fostering technical excellence and professional growth.
Contribute to ex vivo analyses (flow cytometry, IHC, ELISA, RT-PCR, Luminex®) and imaging studies (bioluminescent imaging for metastatic disease models) as required.
Stay current with oncology and tumor immunology literature to integrate emerging insights into research strategies.
Communicate clearly and professionally, delivering impactful presentations and reports to internal teams and external audiences.
Flexibility required for occasional weekend, evening and holiday dosing or animal monitoring.
Independently design, perform, interpret and report standard or complex in vivo preclinical cancer models.
Establish and perform in vivo model development, including the improvement, adaptation, or change to existing research methods, or adaptation from scientific literature
Develop research solutions that require extensive analyses and detailed investigation
May contribute to ex vivo analysis of tumor or immune cells by flow cytometry, IHC, ELISA, RT-PCR, or Luminex®
May perform bioluminescent imaging studies using molecular reporters or disseminated/ metastatic disease models
Manage multiple in vivo projects simultaneously, including coordination with project leaders and other functions
May manage external research studies
Analyze data using appropriate statistical methods and present data in a professional format suitable for external publication
Contribute to various projects outside of his/her own, collaborate with partners from all relevant functions, and keep up-to-date in the literature related to their field
Act as an expert resource on project teams, and demonstrate clear and professional verbal and written communication
Some weekend, evening, and holiday dosing/ animal monitoring required
May supervise/manage non-Ph.D. scientists