Principal Scientist, Product Characterization - Advanced Therapies

Johnson Johnson; Leiden; On-site; EUR 69,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Vacation days

Parental leave

Well-being reimbursement

Insurance plans

Job summary

Johnson & Johnson seeks a Principal Scientist in Biotherapeutics Development to lead product characterization for advanced therapies. The role focuses on in vivo CAR-T, LNP, mRNA, and LV modalities, coordinating CQAs and DOE-driven analyses within a matrix team across Leiden and global sites.

You will mentor scientists, collaborate with Process Development, QA, and data science teams, and contribute to regulatory submissions while staying current with industry standards.

Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with analytical control strategies for ATMPs (CAR-T, LV vectors).
• Ability to work in a matrix environment and mentor others.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement product characterization strategy for in vivo CAR-T.
• Lead identification and justification of CQAs for CGT products.
• Lead execution of advanced methodologies for comparability and deep characterization.
• Develop and refine control strategy linking parameters to CQAs.
• Apply DOE and statistical modeling to establish structure–function relationships.
• Coordinate IND/IMPD/BLA/MAA sections and interact with regulators as needed.
• Communicate results to cross-functional teams and health authorities.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Mentor/guide juniors

Team collaboration

Education

Ph.D. or equivalent in Biochemistry/Immunology/Virology/Biological Science

Bachelor's or Master's with 6-8 years relevant experience

Job description

Company Overview

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

Biotherapeutics R&D

Job Category

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations

Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands

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.

We are searching for the best talent for a Principal Scientist, Product Characterization - Advanced Therapies to be in Malvern, PA, Spring House, PA, or Leiden, Netherlands.

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).

US Requisition Number: R-090703

Netherlands Req Number: R-03881

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

Purpose

The Biotherapeutics Development - Analytical Development (BioTD - AD) group is seeking an energetic, highly motivated Principal Scientist to focus on product characterization for advanced therapy modalities. The individual would work with team to develop comprehensive product characterization approaches for In Vivo CAR-T that will be endorsed by the health authorities. A successful candidate will have experience with the design, execution and optimization of a broad range of characterization assays and will have the opportunity to engage in multi-functional teams. She/He will learn from and contribute to industry-leading drug discovery/development programs that has brought numerous quality therapeutics to patients and has made significant contributions to human health.

You will be responsible for:

• Define and implement product characterization strategy for in vivo CAR-T including LNP, mRNA and targeted LV modalities from early development to late stages of development.
• Lead the identification and justification of CQAs for CGT products using the Quality by Design (QbD) principles.
• Lead the execution of the advanced methodologies associated with comparability and deep characterization of cell and gene therapy.
• Develop and refine the control strategy linking process parameters to CQAs.
• Apply DOE and statistical modeling to establish structure- function and process-product relationships.
• Author or coordinate appropriate IND/IMPD/BLA/MAA sections & interact with regulatory agencies to address product characterization related inquiries.
• Effectively communicate characterization results and scientific data to cross-functional teams, project teams, and health authority as needed.
• Promote strong partnerships and collaboration with Process Development functional leaders, data sciences, Janssen Supply Chain leaders, Quality Assurance, and Discovery.
• Contribute to technical forums both internal and external to the company to share knowledge and approaches related to deep product characterization strategies as they relate to cell and gene therapy products.
• Identify/collaborate with partners in academia or industry to implement innovative ideas or characterization approaches.
• Stay up to date with industry standards, guidelines, and regulatory requirements related to Advanced therapies, comparability studies and product characterization.
• Author comprehensive reports and presentations to communicate findings and technical data to internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development and enhancement of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and best practices for product characterization.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree in Biochemistry, Immunology, Virology, Biological Science, or a related field with 3+ years of proven experience in biopharmaceutical development OR a Bachelor's or Master's degree with 6-8 years of relevant experience is required.
• 2+ years of analytical control strategy experience on advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMP) such as CAR T, lentiviral vectors and gene therapy products.
• Demonstrated expertise in CQA assessment and developing control strategies for advanced therapies.
• Experience with the design, execution and optimization of a broad range of analytical techniques for orthogonal characterization of cell therapy and gene therapy products.
• Must be detail-oriented, highly organized and able to manage multiple tasks, handle tight timelines and deliver quality data
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey complex scientific concepts clearly.
• Mentor and guide junior scientists and technicians in experimental design, data interpretation, and quality assurance practices.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to operate effectively in a dynamic work environment is required.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a complex, matrix environment

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.

Johnson and 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, please email the Employee Health Support Center ([e-mail]) or contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.

Preferred Skills

Analytical Reasoning, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Control (CMC), Clinical Research and Regulations, Clinical Trial Designs, Coaching, Critical Thinking, Drug Discovery Development, Emerging Technologies, Molecular Diagnostics, Organizing, Pharmacovigilance, Presentation Design, Process Improvements, Productivity Planning, Scientific Research

The anticipated base pay range for this position is

€68,600.00 - €119,600.00

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.