Senior Scientist, Vector Biology

Johnson & Johnson Johnson & Johnson · Pharma · Cambridge, MA +1

Seeking a Senior Scientist with expertise in viral vectors and molecular biology to join CAR-T cell therapy discovery efforts. Responsibilities include designing, modifying, and optimizing viral envelopes/proteins, establishing experimental workflows, and supporting the development of analytical assays. The role requires a Ph.D. or Master's/Bachelor's with extensive experience in enveloped viruses and viral vector engineering.

What you'd actually do

  1. Take part in designing, modifying, optimizing, and screening viral envelopes/proteins to target delivery for specific cell types of interest.
  2. Apply virology, molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry methods to establish rigorous experimental workflows and protocols for optimizing and analyzing design outcomes.
  3. Support the development of innovative vector analytical and characterization assays.
  4. Contribute to optimization efforts focused on increasing viral titer, potency, and purity to enhance the overall efficiency of production processes.
  5. Utilize your extensive knowledge in vector design, virology, and molecular biology to contribute meaningfully to our cell therapy platform and pipeline development.

Skills

Required

  • Ph.D. in a relevant field (e.g. Pharmaceutical Science, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, etc.) with 1-2 years of relevant experience OR a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree with extensive experience.
  • Significant hands-on experience in enveloped viruses and viral vector engineering including production and characterization.
  • Strong knowledge of molecular and cell biology techniques, such as cell culture of various cell types, and flow cytometry, qPCR, immunofluorescence, and protein-based methods (Westen Blot, ELISA).
  • Excellent presentation, verbal communication, and scientific/technical writing skills.

Nice to have

  • Demonstrated experience engineering, testing, and optimizing pseudotyped lentiviral vectors is strongly preferred.
  • Experience with high throughput assays, techniques, and workflows preferred.