Principal Scientist, Mechanistic & Cellular Pharmacology

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

This role is for a Principal Scientist in Mechanistic & Cellular Pharmacology at Johnson & Johnson, focusing on immunology-based drug discovery. The scientist will lead the development of cell-based assays, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and contribute to integrating AI/ML methods into drug discovery. The role requires a PhD in a related field, significant industry experience in assay development, and a strong track record in immunology-focused drug discovery programs. While AI/ML is mentioned as a tool to be integrated, the core function of the role is biological research and assay development, not the direct creation or deployment of AI/ML models.

What you'd actually do

  1. Leading the development of innovative cell-based assays for immunology-focused projects to identify and evaluate targets, and to progress hits and lead molecules.
  2. Acting as a key liaison within the Mechanistic & Cellular Pharmacology team, across our broader Discovery Technologies & Molecular Pharmacology department, and with program teams, to enable project strategy and execution in partnership with cross-functional colleagues.
  3. Contributing to the integration of translational and mechanistic biology with novel AI/ML methods to enable the discovery of novel therapeutics.
  4. Collaborating closely with a multidisciplinary team of scientists to drive portfolio and platform initiatives.
  5. Analyzing and presenting data at program team meetings, in-house seminars, leadership meetings and external scientific conferences, and publish research in high-quality journals.

Skills

Required

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Cell-based assays
  • Drug discovery
  • Assay development
  • High-throughput technology platforms
  • iPSC-derived cells
  • Primary cells
  • Co-cultures
  • High content imaging
  • Flow cytometry
  • Problem solving
  • Team collaboration
  • Data analysis
  • Scientific publications
  • Written communication
  • Verbal communication
  • Oral presentation

Nice to have

  • Assay automation
  • Analysis workflows
  • Translational cellular systems
  • 3D models
  • Neuroscience
  • Oncology
  • External collaboration

What the JD emphasized

  • PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology or a related field is required
  • A minimum of 4 years in a pharmaceutical industry setting, developing and applying novel cellular assays is required
  • Proven track record in leading immunology-focused drug discovery programs across diverse modalities is required
  • Expertise and proven accomplishments in de novo immunology cellular pharmacology assay development, complex immune cellular models and high-throughput technology platforms is required
  • Experience with generating and culturing translationally relevant cell models such as iPSC-derived cells, primary cells, and/or co-cultures is required
  • Expertise collecting and analyzing data using high dimensional approaches such as high content imaging and/or flow cytometry is required
  • Strong experience as a problem solver and team collaborator able to facilitate understanding between biologists, chemists, and data scientists is required
  • Demonstrated ability to apply novel approaches to address complex biology questions, as evidenced through strong peer-reviewed publications is required
  • Excellent written communication, verbal communication, and oral presentation skills are required