Principal Scientist, Protein Optimization

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 https://www.jnj.com

Job Function:

Discovery & Pre-Clinical/Clinical Development

Job Sub Function:

Biotherapeutics R&D

Job Category:

Scientific/Technology

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 Principal Scientist, Protein Optimization in Cambridge, MA

Purpose: The Protein Engineering and In Vitro Discovery Team within Biologics Discovery is responsible for the design of lead biologic candidates across multiple therapeutic modalities. In this position, the Principal Scientist I will be an integral member of the Protein Optimization Engineering team that works on the cutting edge of protein science and technologies to deliver fit-for-purpose optimized protein sequences supporting the therapeutic pipeline. As a member of the Protein Optimization team, you will be responsible for protein design and optimization with a strong focus on affinity, developability and other critical attributes using display technologies, structure and modeling-based design and other emerging computational or AI/ML methods. This role will also work closely with our in silico discovery colleagues, driving future advancements and technologies.  This Principal Scientist is responsible for developing and implementing novel display-based binder selection/engineering/screening methods for rapid and validated selection of optimized antibody/protein variants.  This role offers an exciting opportunity to not only engage in the discovery and molecular engineering of biotherapeutics, but also develop new processes and technologies in collaboration with other functional groups. This Principal Scientist I will have the opportunity to lead project teams and interact seamlessly with world-class Therapeutic Area scientists.

You will be responsible for:

• Support protein optimization engineering efforts across the modality agnostic Therapeutics Discovery organization.  Act as a point of accountability for engineering asks and manage project timelines independently.
• Develop and champion novel display-based platform development efforts aimed at fulfilling strategic long-term antibody design/optimization initiatives and validation.
• Lead/participate on project teams to advance discovery portfolio projects.
• 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 6 years of relevant experience is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in therapeutic development and ‘drug hunting’ mindset for large molecule therapeutics.
• In-depth knowledge and demonstrated experience in yeast or mammalian display, including relevant molecular biology/library preparation and hands on experience in cell-based (FACS Aria/iQue) systems for screening protein domains.  Demonstrate examples in applying state of the art display technologies to advance therapeutic programs beyond discovery.
• Detailed knowledge/hands-on experience in molecular biology, including expression vector design, primer design and demonstrated knowledge/experience with NGS technology.