Postdoctoral Scholar, Immunogenicity

Johnson & Johnson Johnson & Johnson · Pharma · Spring House, PA +1

This postdoctoral scholar role focuses on developing and validating in vitro models and immune organoids for preclinical immunogenicity assessment of therapeutic biologics. The role also involves developing a database for immunogenicity assessment through reverse engineering of drug-specific datasets. The goal is to aid in the identification and development of safer and more efficacious biologics.

What you'd actually do

  1. Leading the design, development, and optimization of in vitro models enabling immunogenicity assessments of therapeutic biologics (e.g., MAPPs, immune organoids, organ-on-a-chip, etc).
  2. Collaborating with cross-functional teams (PSTS, clinical pharmacology, discovery, data sciences, translational science, and external partners) to build a comprehensive drug-specific database.
  3. Attending technical seminars, workshops, or conferences for improving practical or technical knowledge and enabling completion of project objectives.
  4. Producing and maintaining clear technical documentation, including electronic notebooks and SOPs to support reproducibility and technology dissemination.
  5. Communicating findings through written reports, presentations, and contributions to manuscripts.

Skills

Required

  • PhD in Immunology, Bioengineering, Immuno-Oncology, or a related field
  • Hands‑on experience developing and optimizing immunoassays (e.g., ELISA, ELISpot/FluoroSpot, Flow Cytometry, or related) measuring immune responses
  • Primary immune cell culture experience: short- and long-term mammalian immune cell culture, primary immune cell isolation from tissue or primary fluids (e.g. whole blood, cerebrospinal fluid), and primary immune cell differentiation
  • Immunology-related publications
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to work in cross‑functional teams and present technical results to diverse audiences
  • Strong interpersonal & collaborative skills
  • Ability to operate as part of a team in a highly interdependent environment
  • Adaptable, responsive, and committed to completing tasks in a timely fashion

Nice to have

  • Experience with 3D cell culture systems such as but not limited to organoids and/or organ-on-a-chip
  • Experience developing or conducting in vitro vaccination and/or in vitro PBMC expansion assays
  • Familiarity with bioanalytical platforms for ultrasensitive detection and an understanding of their strengths/limitations such as LC/MS and Immunopeptidomics

What the JD emphasized

  • A PhD in Immunology, Bioengineering, Immuno-Oncology, or a related field is required.
  • Hands‑on experience developing and optimizing immunoassays (e.g., ELISA, ELISpot/FluoroSpot, Flow Cytometry, or related) measuring immune responses is required.
  • Primary immune cell culture experience: short- and long-term mammalian immune cell culture, primary immune cell isolation from tissue or primary fluids (e.g. whole blood, cerebrospinal fluid), and primary immune cell differentiation is required.
  • Demonstrated record of immunology-related publications is required.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to work in cross‑functional teams and present technical results to diverse audiences is required.
  • Strong interpersonal & collaborative skills with an ability to operate as part of a team in a highly interdependent environment is required.
  • Must be adaptable, responsive, and committed to completing tasks in a timely fashion.