Senior Principal Scientist Pharmacology

Johnson & Johnson Co.; Beerse; On-site; EUR 98,000 - 168,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Vacation days

Parental leave

Well‑being reimbursement

Job summary

Johnson & Johnson is seeking a Senior Principal Scientist Pharmacology to lead NAMs-driven innovations in discovery and preclinical development. Beerse, Belgium or Spring House, US, with responsibilities spanning ex vivo, in vitro, and in silico NAMs, and collaboration with DPDS, SIS, and Translational Sciences teams.

The role requires a Ph.D. with oncology focus and several years in NAMs development, coupled with strong leadership, regulatory awareness, and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in bioengineering, biomedical engineering, pharmacology, toxicology, systems biology or related field with oncology focus.
• 5+ years postdoctoral experience in NAMs-related platform development (CIVM/MPS) within oncology R&D.
• Understanding of pharmaceutical R&D governance frameworks.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Engage with SIS Scientific Leads to identify NAM opportunities (ex vivo, in vitro, in silico).
• Provide SME guidance on NAM applicability, strengths, limitations and readiness.
• Drive incorporation of NAMs into program strategies with alignment to portfolio goals.
• Travel up to 10% and matrix-manage team members as assigned.

Skills

Oncology expertise

NAMs integration

Drug discovery

Cross‑functional leadership

Publications leadership

Data analysis tools

Regulatory awareness

Communication

Education

Ph.D. in bioengineering/related with oncology focus

Tools

NAMs platforms (CIVM/MPS)

Data analysis software

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.

Please note that this role is available across multiple countries and may be posted under different requisition numbers to comply with local requirements. While you are welcome to apply to any or all of the postings, we recommend focusing on the specific country(s) that align with your preferred location(s):

Belgium R-087821, United States of America R-108326

Remember, whether you apply to one or all of these requisition numbers, your applications will be considered as a single submission.

Job Function:

Discovery & Pre-Clinical/Clinical Development

Job Sub Function:

Pharmacology

Job Category:

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations:

Beerse, Antwerp, Belgium

Job Description:

Position Title

Senior Principal Scientist Pharmacology

3Rs Portfolio Innovation and External Engagement

Location

Beerse, Belgium or Spring House, US.

Role Summary

The Sr. Principal Scientist & SIS Scientific Lead is a senior scientific role within Scientific & In Vivo Strategies (SIS), responsible for driving the identification and enablement of 3Rs innovation opportunities into the discovery and preclinical portfolio, including new approach methodologies (NAMs).

Operating within the enterprise 3Rs framework and aligned with Discovery, Product Development & Supply (DPDS), PSTS (Preclinical Safety and Translational Sciences), and SIS strategic priorities, this role brings deep NAMs expertise (i.e., refined in vivo, ex vivo, complex in vitro models (CIVMs)/microphysiological systems (MPS)/organoids, and/or in silico approaches) to enable portfolio-relevant 3Rs innovation that strengthens discovery and preclinical assessment and improves preclinical-to-clinical translatability while advancing 3Rs objectives. The individual will serve as a NAMs subject‑matter expert for SIS, DPDS, and Therapeutic Area stakeholders, ensuring that both internal and external NAM opportunities are identified and evaluated through portfolio-relevant, translational, and regulatory-aligned perspectives.

Primary Responsibilities:

NAMs Scientific Engagement and Portfolio Integration:

• Engage with fellow SIS Scientific Leads and stakeholders to identify and evaluate ex vivo, in vitro, and in silico (in partnership with data science colleagues) NAM opportunities relevant to discovery and development programs
• Provide subject‑matter expert‑level guidance on applicability, strengths, limitations and readiness of NAMs within specific disease, modality and contexts of use
• Drive relevant incorporation of NAMs into program strategies, ensuring alignment with portfolio goals, scientific rigor and the broader enterprise 3Rs innovation framework

External NAMs Landscape and Regulatory Awareness:

• Maintain active awareness of the external NAMs landscape, including academic advances, emerging platforms and biotech innovations
• Evaluate external NAM developments in the context of scientific maturity, translational relevance, and evolving global regulatory perspectives (e.g., FDA, EMA, ICH, etc.)
• Translate external and regulatory signals into clear, balanced scientific insights to inform on current NAMs integration opportunities as well as to anticipate future state

Internal Capability Enablement:

• Liaison with fellow SIS Scientific Leads as well as internal functional and therapeutic area teams to assess existing NAM capabilities and gaps, relative to portfolio needs and regulatory expectations
• Inform prioritization of NAM development/evaluation and validation efforts based on scientific value‑add, feasibility and anticipated regulatory acceptance
• Support development of internal guidance to enable confident and consistent application of NAMs

Scientific Collaboration and Communication:

• Serve as a scientific thought partner to drive project teams to consider 3Rs innovation/NAM‑enabled approaches
• Contribute to internal scientific reviews, forums and working groups focused on 3Rs/NAMs innovation
• Support external scientific publications, presentations and internal communications that strengthen credibility and understanding of NAM‑based strategies

Domestic and international travel may be required; up to 10%.

May perform other duties and matrix manage team members as assigned.

Education‑Minimum Qualification

• Ph.D. in bioengineering, biomedical engineering, pharmacology, toxicology, systems biology or a related discipline with a concentration in Oncology
• 5+ years postdoctoral experience, preferably in a pharma or biotech setting, focused on NAMs‑related platform development (i.e., CIVM/MPS, etc.) within oncology R&D
• Understanding of pharmaceutical R&D governance frameworks
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and leadership skills.

Required Skills

• Oncology therapeutic area expertise/experience
• Demonstrated expertise integrating models across the NAMs categorical landscape (i.e., combining ex vivo, in vitro/CIVM/MPS, in chemico, and/or in silico approaches) to enable advanced physio- and pathophysiological relevance at scale
• Demonstrated expertise applying human‑relevant models in drug discovery and/or preclinical research contexts
• Track record of scientific innovation or publication in NAMs‑relevant field
• Ability to critically assess emerging technologies/platforms within the context of pharma R&D needs and the external global regulatory landscape and clearly communicate implications to stakeholders
• Expertise in basic pharmacology concepts and experience in relevant data analysis best practices and software/tools
• Demonstrated leadership on drafting of scientific publications, internal reports and/or technical presentations
• People and research project management experience
• Proven effectiveness working with cross‑functional scientific and data science stakeholders
• Demonstrated experience leading cross‑functional initiatives in a matrixed environment.
• Experience interfacing with external technology developers and/or academic collaborators

Preferred Skills

• Experience managing and implementing organizational change
• General awareness of nonclinical safety and drug development concepts
• Familiarity with global regulatory agency considerations relevant to NAM acceptance

Preferred Skills

Clinical Data Management, Data Savvy, Drug Discovery Development, Innovation, Leadership, Pharmacodynamics, Pharmacology, Pharmacometrics, Pharmacovigilance, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Product Management, Research Documents, Risk Management, Scientific Research, Tactical Planning, Technical Credibility

The anticipated base pay range for this position is:

€97 900,00 - €168 360,00

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.