Senior Scientist, Biologics Optimization

At Johnson & Johnsonwe believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build aworld where complex diseases are prevented treated and curedwhere treatments are smarter and less invasive andsolutions are 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 more at .

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.

Job Function:

Job Sub Function:

Job Category:

All Job Posting Locations:

Job Description:

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 are searching for the best talent for Senior Scientist Biologics Optimization in Spring House PA

Purpose: 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 experiencein antibody and protein engineering display-based technologies and mechanism-drivenbiologicsdiscovery. 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 toestablishand champion scientific best practices in function-driven optimizationleveragingdetailed understanding of antibody structure-function relationships protein sequence space and biological pathways to guide engineering 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.

You will be responsible for:

• 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 programobjectives.
• 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 andestablishscreening cascades that enableMoA-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 acceleratebiologicsoptimizationworkflows 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.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Education: A minimum of a MS Degree in in Molecular Biology Biochemistry Biotechnology Biomedical Engineering structural biology or related field is required. PhD is highly preferred.

Skills/Experience

Required:

• A minimum of 1 year of relevant industry experience inbiologicsdiscovery protein engineering or therapeutic optimization isrequired.
• 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 anddemonstratedexperience 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.

Preferred:

• Candidates with a Masters degree: 3 years of industry experience is preferred
• Candidates with a PhD: 1 years of industry experience is preferred
• Experiencein protein structure modeling and visualization tools such as Schrödinger MOEPyMOL 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 toestablishnew scientific capabilities

Johnson & Johnson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity age national origin disability protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by federal state or local law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. Johnson & Johnson is committed to providing an interview process that is inclusive of our applicants needs. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation external applicants please contact us via internal employees contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.

If you are under 18 years of age you (the candidate) may need to obtain the necessary working papers or other documentation required by state law to start the assignment as well as get a parents consent for the background check.

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills: