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Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine · 6 hours ago

Principal Scientist, Protein Optimization

Cambridge, MA

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$117K/yr - $201K/yr

6+ years exp

Johnson & Johnson is a leader in healthcare innovation, dedicated to preventing and treating complex diseases. The Principal Scientist, Protein Optimization will be responsible for designing and optimizing protein candidates, utilizing advanced technologies and collaborating with cross-functional teams to support the therapeutic pipeline.

Pharmaceuticals

Responsibilities

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

Qualification

Protein optimizationTherapeutic developmentMolecular biologyDisplay technologiesAI/ML methodsProtein structure modelingBiophysical methodsAnalytical reasoningScientific researchCritical thinking

Required

A minimum of a MS Degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, structural biology or related field is 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

Detailed understanding of antibody sequence analysis, specifically V-region features including FW/CDR delineation, liability assessment, germline analysis

Understanding of Fc sequence space is preferred

Sound understanding of biophysical and biochemical methods for protein analysis, including ELISA, SPR, and/or flow cytometry, thermal stability analysis

Zeal for addressing complex scientific questions and solving novel challenges with creativity and a collaborative spirit

Demonstration of successful implementation of new ideas with calculated risk taking

Abilities to lead by influence and communicate across teams with diverse backgrounds is required

Demonstration of clear, concise, and timely communication skills, exemplified by peer-reviewed publications is required

Preferred

Candidates with a Master's degree: 6 years of industry experience is preferred

Candidates with a PhD: 3 years of industry experience is preferred

Expertise in scientific computing (e.g. Python) and experience with in silico protein structure and sequence modeling using AI/ML methods to facilitate collaboration with computational and AI/ML functional teams

Expertise in protein structure modeling and analysis (e.g. Schrodinger, MOE, pyMol, Chimera, etc.)

Understanding of antibody and cytokine structure and function, including modulation of target binding and Fc-based effector function is preferred

Experience with bi- or multi-specific antibody or other complex therapeutic modalities is preferred

Sound understanding of protein expression/purification from mammalian systems is preferred

Hands on experience in HTP-based binding assays (such as ELISA, SPR, MSD) or HTP-biophysical techniques for screening antibody variants is preferred

Benefits

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life insurance

Short and long-term disability

Business accident insurance

Group legal insurance

Consolidated retirement plan (pension)

Savings plan (401(k))

Long-term incentive program

Vacation –120 hours per calendar year

Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Colorado –48 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington –56 hours per calendar year

Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –13 days per calendar year

Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year

Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child

Bereavement Leave – 240 hours for an immediate family member: 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year

Caregiver Leave – 80 hours in a 52-week rolling period10 days

Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year

Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year