Senior Scientist, Biologics Design and Function

Biopharma Careers; North Carolina; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnson & Johnson in Spring House, PA, is seeking a Senior Scientist, Biologics Design & Function to advance therapeutics by translating immune biology into differentiated strategies. You will combine deep immunology expertise with hands-on lab work to evaluate mechanisms of action and optimize biologics across discovery programs.

The role requires independence, strong problem-solving, and the ability to communicate complex findings to multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Immunology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, or a related scientific field is required; a PhD is highly preferred.
• 4+ years of industry experience with a Master's degree; 2+ years with a PhD.
• Deep understanding of immunology, disease biology, and immune cell signaling.
• Experience advancing biologic therapeutics and discovery programs in complex research environments.
• Expertise in designing, developing, and interpreting mechanistic cellular assays using primary human immune cells.

Responsibilities

• Designing, implementing, and interpreting mechanistic and functional studies that guide molecule design and inform program decisions.
• Serving as subject matter expert to apply immunological insights to guide molecule optimization.
• Developing and implementing innovative assays and technologies to understand therapeutic mechanisms.
• Evaluating emerging technologies to accelerate biologics functional assay workflows.
• Demonstrating ability to translate mechanistic insights into actionable therapeutic strategies.
• Communicating scientific findings through presentations, reports, patents, publications, and team discussions.
• Contributing to a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Skills

Immunology

Biologics discovery

Cell-based assays

Team leadership

Scientific communication

Education

Master's in Immunology or related

PhD preferred

Tools

Flow cytometry

High-throughput assays

MSD

xCELLigence

Incucyte

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:

Discovery & Pre-Clinical/Clinical Development

Job Sub Function:

Biotherapeutics R&D

Job Category:

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations:

Spring House, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Job Description:

About Innovative Medicine

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

We are searching for the best talent for a Senior Scientist, Biologics Design and Function to be located in Spring House, PA.

Purpose: The Biologics Design & Function team within Biologics Discovery is responsible for translating biological insights into differentiated therapeutic strategies and functional outcomes across biologic modalities. We address complex scientific questions and solve novel challenges with creativity, calculated risk taking, and a multi-disciplinary, collaborative spirit.

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist to help define, evaluate, and advance innovative therapeutic concepts that use the immune system to treat disease. This individual will combine deep expertise in immune cell biology with hands‑on laboratory experience to investigate therapeutic mechanisms of action, establish functional differentiation, and evaluate molecule optimization across a diverse discovery portfolio.

This role requires scientific curiosity, strong problem‑solving skills, and a passion for addressing complex biological questions. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with protein engineers, computational scientists, drug discovery teams, and therapeutic area scientists to generate mechanistic insights that drive therapeutic innovation. The position provides the opportunity to contribute directly to discovery programs while developing scientific leadership capabilities through participation on multidisciplinary project teams and strategic discovery initiatives.

You will be responsible for:

• Designing, implementing, and interpreting mechanistic and functional studies that guide molecule design, establish therapeutic differentiation, and inform program decisions.
• Serving as subject matter expert to apply immunological and biological insights to guide molecule optimization and inform key discovery-stage decisions.
• Developing and implementing innovative assays, experimental approaches, and technologies that enhance understanding of therapeutic mechanisms and biological function.
• Evaluating emerging technologies and developing innovative approaches to accelerate biologics functional assay workflows and therapeutic discovery.
• Demonstrating abilities to solve complex biological problems and translate mechanistic insights into actionable therapeutic strategies.
• Independently communicating scientific findings through presentations, technical reports, patent applications, publications, and project team discussions.
• Contributing to a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Qualifications / Requirements

Education:

A minimum of a Master's degree in Immunology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, or a related scientific field is required. A PhD is highly preferred.

Experience and Skills:

Required:

• 4+ years of industry experience with a Master's degree; 2+ years of experience with a PhD.
• Deep understanding of immunology, disease biology, and mechanisms governing immune cell signaling, activation, differentiation, and functional responses.
• Demonstrated experience advancing biologic therapeutics and discovery programs in complex research environments.
• Expertise in designing, developing, and interpreting mechanistic cellular assays, particularly using primary human immune innate and adaptive cells.
• Proven ability to influence multidisciplinary teams and work effectively within matrixed organizations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred:

• Experience advancing multispecific antibodies, immune-engaging therapeutics, or other complex biologic modalities through key discovery-stage decisions.
• Demonstrated success developing innovative technologies or discovery platforms.
• Strong publication, patent, or therapeutic candidate advancement record.
• Hands‑on experience with high-throughput binding and functional assays, including reporter assays, MSD, Incucyte, xCELLigence, flow cytometry, or related platforms.

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 & 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.

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.