Lead Vector Biology Scientist - Viral Entry & Cell Assays

6084-Janssen Research & Development, LLC Legal Entity; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation time 120 hours/year

Sick time 40 hours/year

Holiday pay 13 days/year

Parental Leave 480 hours/year

Bereavement Leave 240 hours/year

Volunteer Leave 32 hours/year

Military Spouse Time‑Off 80 hours/year

Job summary

Johnson & Johnson in Cambridge, MA seeks a Principal Scientist, Vector Biology to lead research on the cellular and molecular entry mechanisms of enveloped viruses. You will design experiments to map interactions between viral proteins and host receptors and develop robust assays using flow cytometry, high-content imaging, and reporter readouts.

The role requires a PhD with 3–6 years of industry experience, expertise in mammalian cell culture, viral entry biology, and lentiviral vector

Qualifications

• PhD in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Virology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering or related field (or equivalent industry experience).
• 3–6 years of relevant industry experience with a record of leading scientific projects and/or teams.
• Deep hands-on expertise in mammalian cell culture and cell line engineering.

Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to research focused on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of enveloped virus entry.
• Design and execute experiments to characterize interactions between viral glycoproteins and host cell receptors.
• Design, develop, and validate robust cell-based assays probing receptor expression/localization and ligand/virus binding; internalization/endocytosis pathways; functional readouts by flow cytometry, high-content imaging, and reporter assays.
• Utilize lentiviral vector systems to study transduction of target cells and to develop novel gene delivery platforms.
• Establish scalable, reproducible workflows and SOPs; implement assay performance criteria and quality control.
• Integrate data with cross-functional partners to inform target selection, vector design, and process improvements.
• Present research findings at internal and external scientific meetings.

Skills

Cell culture

Cell-based assays

Viral entry biology

Lentiviral vectors

Data analysis

Scientific communication

BSL2/BSL2+ assays

Publications

High-throughput screening

Education

PhD in life sciences

Job description

Johnson & Johnson in Cambridge, MA seeks a Principal Scientist, Vector Biology to lead research on the cellular and molecular entry mechanisms of enveloped viruses. You will design experiments to map interactions between viral proteins and host receptors and develop robust assays using flow cytometry, high-content imaging, and reporter readouts.

The role requires a PhD with 3–6 years of industry experience, expertise in mammalian cell culture, viral entry biology, and lentiviral vector