Postdoctoral Scientist - Multimodal Representation Learning for Predictive Biology - BE

Johnson Johnson; Beerse; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine in Beerse, Belgium, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scientist specializing in multimodal representation learning for predictive biology within the DDSAI group. You will work on AI/ML models across imaging, omics, and perturbations to advance drug discovery.

The role emphasizes developing novel algorithms, publishing findings in top-tier venues, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and contributing to the lab-to-life pipeline while adhering to

Qualifications

• PhD completed within the last 3 years or to be completed within the next 6 months.
• Strong AI/ML expertise for biology with publications in top venues.
• Experience with foundation models and multimodal biological data.
• Solid knowledge of Transformers, CNNs, graph networks, self-supervised/multi-instance learning.
• Proficiency in Python and AI frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow.
• Strong communication skills to present results to multidisciplinary audiences.

Responsibilities

• Conceive, design, develop, implement and validate innovative AI/ML solutions for drug discovery problems using multimodal data of perturbed cells.
• Analyze and extract novel biological insights from large-scale heterogeneous data (imaging, phenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics).
• Develop and evaluate computer vision solutions to quantify heterogeneity of perturbed cells.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to advance algorithms and product development.
• Communicate complex methodologies and present findings to diverse audiences.
• Follow processes for documentation and maintain an up-to-date code repository.
• Draft manuscripts and disseminate findings in peer-reviewed venues.

Skills

AI/ML for biology

Representation learning

Multimodal modeling

Imaging microscopy

Deep learning

Python

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Electrical Eng/Biomedical Eng/CS/Applied Mathematics

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Python

Job description

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

Career Programs

Job Sub Function

Post Doc - Data Analytics & Computational Sciences

Job Category

Career Program

All Job Posting Locations

Beerse, Antwerp, Belgium

Job Description

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

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine is recruiting for a Postdoctoral Scientist - Multimodal Representation Learning for Predictive Biology to join the Data, Data Science & Artificial Intelligence (DDSAI) organization for a two-year fixed term position, helping advance AI/ML analytics and multimodal modeling for drug discovery. This position will be based at any of the following locations: Cambridge, MA (preferred); Spring House, PA; Beerse, Belgium; or Madrid, Spain. (No fully remote option.)

Requisition Numbers

• USA - Requisition Number: R-094412
• Belgium - Requisition Number: R-095646
• Spain - Requisition Number: R-095648

Within DDSAI, our teams develop innovative solutions using a variety of data sources across multiple therapeutic areas. We are looking for a highly motivated and innovative Postdoctoral Scientist to work at the intersection of advanced AI/ML modeling at scale, multimodal representation learning, drug discovery and predictive biology. The successful candidate is self-motivated, creative, and an effective communicator, with a strong interest in deep learning for imaging microscopy and multi-omics. The role focuses on developing advanced models that analyze and quantify the heterogeneity of perturbed cellular systems and integrate multi-scale biological data (e.g., high-content imaging, phenomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics) to derive new biological insights that support the next-generation portfolio for drug discovery. A successful candidate should demonstrate a strong capacity to build, evaluate, and benchmark AI/ML methods, and publish findings in top-tier peer-reviewed publications.

Key Responsibilities

• Conceive, design, develop, implement and validate innovative AI/ML solutions for drug discovery problems using multimodal data of perturbed cells.
• Analyze and extract novel biological insights from large-scale, heterogeneous high-dimensional data (e.g., imaging microscopy, phenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics).
• Develop and evaluate innovative computer vision solutions to quantify heterogeneity of perturbed cells.
• Collaborate closely with both internal and external cross-functional teams of scientists and engineers to advance algorithms and product development to improve project outcomes.
• Clearly communicate complex technical methodologies and present findings to diverse audiences and stakeholders to support informed decision-making.
• Follow standard processes for documentation and maintaining an up-to-date code repository.
• Draft manuscripts and disseminate research findings internally and externally (e.g., publishing in peer-reviewed conferences/journals).

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or a related major. (PhD completed within the last 3 years or to be completed within the next 6 months.)
• Strong technical expertise in AI/ML for biological applications, with excellent analytical skills in at least one domain area (representation learning, multimodal integration, computational biology, imaging microscopy) and a proven track record (publications in top-tier AI/ML conferences or journals).
• Experience developing foundation models and/or multimodal modeling of biological data in related applications, such as Cell Painting, imaging microscopy, and multi-omics.
• Solid working knowledge of deep-learning architectures and techniques (e.g., Transformers, CNNs, graph networks, self-supervised and multi-instance learning, etc.) and their application to multimodal representation learning, alignment, and fusion.
• Proficiency with one or more programming languages, preferably Python, and proficiency in one or more AI frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present analytical results on behalf of the project team in a multi-functional setting, contextualizing how the work fits within the broader project.
• This position will be based at any of the following locations: Cambridge, MA (preferred); Spring House, PA; Beerse, Belgium; or Madrid, Spain. (No fully remote option.)

Johnson & Johnson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.

If you are under 18 years of age, you (the candidate) may need to obtain the necessary working papers or other documentation required by state law to start the assignment, as well as get a parent's consent for the background check.

Johnson & Johnson is committed to providing an interview process that is inclusive of our applicants' needs. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation, external applicants please contact us via https://www.jnj.com/contact-us/careers , internal employees contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.

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The anticipated base pay range for this position is: €60,000.00 - €96,255.00

Benefits

In addition to base pay, we offer the following benefits*: an annual bonus with set target (% of pay) depending on pay grade / location, where the actual amount is based on the employees' and companies' performance of the previous calendar year, or sales commissions. Moreover, we offer vacation days, parental leave for a minimum of 12 weeks, bereavement leave, caregiver leave, volunteer leave, well-being reimbursement, programs for financial, physical and mental health. We also offer service anniversary and recognition awards, and subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees - and in some location's eligible dependents - can participate in several insurance plans. For more information, visit Employee benefits | Supporting well-being & career growth | Johnson & Johnson Careers.

*This is for informative purposes only. Amounts and actual benefits may vary by location and are subject to change.