Senior Manager, Viral Vectors

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through 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 humanity. Learn more at jnj.com

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:

Discovery & Pre-Clinical/Clinical Development

Job Sub Function:

Biological Research

Job Category:

People Leader

All Job Posting Locations:

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America

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 https://www.jnj.com/innovative-medicine

We are searching for the best talent for the best Senior Manager, Viral Vectors to be in Cambridge, MA.

Purpose:

We are looking for a Senior Manager to lead a discovery research Viral Vector Core team. This individual will be a key scientific leader responsible for overseeing research-scale viral vector production, purification, and analytical testing in a discovery research setting, acting as a bridge with colleagues in process development. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with lentiviral vectors and a proven track record of managing a high-performing scientific team. This is a unique opportunity to play a critical role in advancing our cutting-edge therapeutic pipeline.

You will be responsible for:

• Provide scientific direction and operational oversight for the Viral Vector Core. Lead a team of scientists and associates in the design, execution, and troubleshooting of all vector production and characterization activities.

• Direct the upstream (cell culture, bioreactor process) and downstream (purification, concentration) development activities for discovery research viral vector manufacturing. Drive the optimization and scaling of processes from 96-well plates to 1L bioreactor scale.

• Oversee the development, validation, and implementation of a comprehensive suite of analytical assays to ensure the quality, safety, and potency of all viral vectors. This includes assays for biophysical characterization, particle quantitation (ddPCR, qPCR, ELISA), and functional assessment (titer, potency).

• Collaborate with colleagues in process development to inform and align on vector production and testing activities. 

• Act as the primary point of contact for the Viral Vector Core, collaborating closely with discovery research and preclinical teams to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality vectors for all studies as well as other vector core groups for aligned methods. 

• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in the field of viral vector engineering, production, and analytics. Identify, evaluate, and implement new technologies to enhance the capabilities of the core.

• Foster a culture of scientific excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Mentor and develop team members, providing guidance and support for their scientific and professional growth.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Virology, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, or a related discipline with a minimum of 6 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry.

• Extensive hands-on experience and a deep theoretical understanding of viral vector biology, particularly lentiviral systems.

• Proven track record of leading and managing a scientific team in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment.

• Demonstrated expertise in the development and optimization of upstream and downstream processes for viral vector production in a res