Senior Scientist, Structural Biology
About The Position
We are searching for the best talent for our Senior Scientist, Structural Biology position to be located in San Diego, CA. 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. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/innovative-medicine Purpose: Join J&J’s Structural Biology team as a Senior Scientist to drive high‑impact structural studies that accelerate therapeutic discovery. You will lead end‑to-end sample preparation, structure determination, and cross‑functional interpretation for multimeric protein complexes and protein–small‑molecule systems. This role requires deep, hands‑on expertise across X‑ray crystallography and cryo‑EM workflows and a track record of delivering high‑resolution structures.
Requirements
- PhD in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or a related discipline with 2 years relevant postdoctoral or industry experience; or MS with 4 years of industry experience is required.
- Hands-on experience with X-ray crystallography workflows, including crystallization screening/optimization, ligand soaking/co-crystallization, crystal freezing, and structure solution/refinement is required.
- Experience with automated crystallization screening technologies is required.
- Proven ability to prepare and purify multimeric protein complexes (e.g., Fab/antigen, ternary complexes) is required.
- Experience with protein construct design for structural biology is required.
- Expertise in structure determination by X-ray crystallography, CryoEM, or a related field is required.
- Strong data analysis skills and experience communicating structural results to multidisciplinary teams is required.
- Excellent collaboration, project communication, and problem-solving skills is required.
Nice To Haves
- Practical experience with cryo-EM grid preparation and sample optimization is preferred.
- Experience in structure-based drug design (SBDD) using X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and/or protein NMR is preferred.
- Experience with structure determination involving diverse modalities (small molecules, peptides, proximity inducers, large molecules) is preferred.
- Broad knowledge of biophysics, biochemistry, molecular pharmacology, and protein sciences is preferred.
- Track record of published structures and demonstrated impact on drug discovery projects is preferred.
Responsibilities
- Prepare, purify, and characterize multimeric protein complexes (e.g., Fab/antigen assemblies, proximity-inducing complexes) for structural studies.
- Lead crystallization screening and optimization for protein–small molecule and multimeric protein complexes. Apply seeding, ligand soaking, back-soaking, and co-crystallization techniques.
- Perform cryoprotection and crystal harvesting/freezing to prepare crystals for data collection.
- Prepare cryo-EM grids and support cryo-EM sample optimization workflows.
- Determine high-resolution structures using X-ray crystallography or cryo-EM and clearly communicate structural insights and recommendations to cross-functional project teams.
- Collaborate closely with protein scientists, biophysicists, and structural biologists as part of an integrated structural biology effort.
- Contribute to strategic planning and method development within the Structural Biology group to expand capabilities and increase throughput.
Benefits
- employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)).
- 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
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
Number of Employees
5,001-10,000 employees
