Director, Immunology Scientific Innovation

Location: Cambridge MA Spring House PA or La Jolla CA

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine is seeking a Director Immunology Scientific Innovation to help identify shape and advance the next generation of breakthrough science in Immunology. This role is part of the Immunology External Innovation team within the Immunology therapeutic area.

This is a high-impact scientific leadership role at the intersection of discovery science external partnerships and emerging technology. The successful candidate will work globally to identify and evaluate novel external opportunitiesspanning academia biotech and venture-backed innovationwhile leading or contributing to scientific diligence and collaboration deal formation.

A defining feature of this role is a strong emphasis on AI-enabled search critical scientific evaluation and identification of strategic opportunities in the landscape analysis enabling faster and deeper insight into the evolving Immunology ecosystem.

• Identify and evaluate cutting-edge external science across Immunology and immune-mediated diseases from discovery through early clinical stages.
• Help shape external innovation strategy aligned with Johnson & Johnsons Immunology Therapeutic Area priorities.
• Serve as a scientific ambassador for J&J within global academic and biotech ecosystems.

• Coordinate global Immunology external innovation landscaping across regions and partner with teams within the external innovation.
• Apply AI-driven and data-enabled approaches to discover prioritize and assess emerging science platforms and assets.
• Track upcoming data readouts for opportunities of interest and manage an effective engagement plan to ensure no strategic opportunity is missed
• Translate complex datasets and landscapes into clear insights that support strategic decision-making.

• Lead or contribute to scientific diligence for collaboration licensing venture and incubation opportunities.
• Critically assess biological rationale translational strategies competitive differentiation and development feasibility.
• Partner closely with internal Immunology experts to deliver rigorous high-quality evaluations.

• Develop trusted relationships with academic leaders entrepreneurs and biotech innovators.
• Lead or co-lead scientific collaboration discussions and help shape partnership structures
• Work cross-functionally with transactors legal and finance to progress opportunities through execution and alliance setup.

• Collaborate closely with External Scientific Innovation (ESI) Business Development R&D JJDC and GCSO leaders.
• Champion best practices in external innovation search evaluation and scientific diligence.
• Contribute to enterprise-wide efforts to advance AI adoption in R&D and External Innovation.

PhD or MD in Immunology biomedical sciences or a related discipline.

• 10 years of experience across biotech pharma and/or academia with deep expertise in Immunology or immune-mediated disease biology.
• Strong background participating in drug discovery and/or early development programs.
• Demonstrated experience evaluating external science platforms or assets.
• Applied experience with AI or data-driven approaches to scientific search evaluation or decision-making.
• Ability to synthesize scientific strategic and competitive insights into clear recommendations.
• Strong communication skills and confidence engaging senior scientific and business leaders.
• Comfort working in complex cross-functional and global environments.

• Opportunity to shape first-in-class and best-in-class Immunology pipelines through external innovation.
• High visibility across Immunology R&D External Innovation and venture teams.
• Unique opportunity to apply AI and advanced analytics at scale to external innovation.
• Collaborative purpose-driven culture grounded in Johnson & Johnsons Credo.