Senior Scientist, Structural Biology

Biopharma Careers

North Carolina

Hybrid

USD 120,000 - 180,000

Full time

8 days ago

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Job summary

Johnson & Johnson's Innovative Medicine is seeking a Senior Scientist in Structural Biology to lead end-to-end studies from sample prep to structure determination for antibody discovery, based in Spring House, PA with hybrid work.

You will collaborate across biologics discovery, protein sciences, and biophysics, applying cryo-EM, crystallography, and other methods; a PhD with relevant experience is preferred.

Qualifications

PhD in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or related field with 2 years postdoc or industry experience.
MS with 4 years of industry experience is acceptable.
Hands-on research in antibody–antigen structural biology or related protein complexes.
Experience with cryo-EM, including sample prep and data processing, is required.
Working knowledge of cryo-EM software and structural analysis tools is required.
Strong collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills essential.
Experience with negative-stain EM, crystallography, or related methods preferred.
Track record of published structures and impact on drug discovery preferred.

Responsibilities

Purify, assemble, and characterize antibodies, antigens, Fab–antigen complexes, and related protein assemblies for structural studies.
Prepare and screen cryo-EM grids, evaluate sample quality, and optimize conditions with guidance.
Process cryo-EM data and contribute to particle picking, classification, 3D reconstruction, model building, refinement, and validation.
Analyze antibody–antigen interfaces, epitopes, conformational states, and structure–function relationships to inform discovery.
Use complementary structural and biophysical approaches, including negative-stain EM, crystallography, or solution-based methods where appropriate.
Maintain clear experimental records, assess data quality, troubleshoot workflows, and communicate results to multidisciplinary teams.
Collaborate with biologics discovery, protein sciences, biophysics, in silico discovery, and project teams to advance programs.
Contribute to scientific presentations, reports, publications, and continuous improvement of structural biology workflows.

Skills

Accelerating

Analytical Reasoning

Clinical Data Management

Critical Thinking

Data Analysis

Data Reporting

Data Savvy

Design of Experiments

Drug Discovery Development

Issue Escalation

Molecular Diagnostics

Pharmaceutical Microbiology

Product Knowledge

Research Proposals

Scientific Research

Standard Operating Procedure

Technologically Savvy

Education

PhD in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or related field

MS with 4 years industry experience

Tools

Cryo-EM software

X-ray crystallography

Cryo-EM data processing

Job description

Job Function:

Discovery & Pre-Clinical/Clinical Development

Job Sub Function:

Biological Research

Job Category:

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations:

Spring House, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Job Description:

We are searching for the best talent for our Senior Scientist, Structural Biology position to be located in Spring House, PA.

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

Purpose: Join J&J’s Structural Biology team as a Senior Scientist to drive high‑impact structural studies that accelerate therapeutic discovery. You will lead end‑to‑end structural biology activities from sample preparation, structure determination, to cross‑functional interpretation for the discovery of therapeutic antibodies as well as other modalities. This role is designed for a PhD scientist who brings strong research training, scientific curiosity, and enthusiasm for learning in a collaborative drug‑discovery environment.

You will be responsible for:

Purify, assemble, and characterize antibodies, antigens, Fab–antigen complexes, and related protein assemblies for structural studies.
Prepare and screen cryo-EM grids, evaluate sample quality, and optimize biochemical and vitrification conditions with guidance from experienced colleagues.
Process cryo-EM data and contribute to particle picking, classification, three-dimensional reconstruction, model building, refinement, and validation.
Analyze antibody–antigen interfaces, epitopes, conformational states, and structure–function relationships to inform antibody discovery and optimization.
Use complementary structural and biophysical approaches, including negative-stain EM, crystallography, or solution-based characterization, where appropriate.
Maintain clear experimental records, assess data quality, troubleshoot workflows, and communicate results and recommendations to multidisciplinary teams.
Collaborate with biologics discovery, protein sciences, biophysics, in silico discovery, and project teams to advance therapeutic programs.
Contribute to scientific presentations, reports, publications, and continuous improvement of structural biology workflows.

Qualifications/ Requirements:

PhD in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or a related discipline with 2 years relevant postdoctoral or industry experience; or MS with 4 years of industry experience is required.
Hands‑on research experience in antibody–antigen structural biology, protein complexes, or a closely related area is required.
Experience with single-particle cryo‑EM, including sample preparation, grid screening or optimization, data processing, and structure determination, is required.
Experience with protein expression, purification, complex assembly, and biochemical or biophysical characterization is required.
Working knowledge of cryo‑EM software and structural analysis tools is required.
Ability to interpret structural data, recognize data‑quality limitations, troubleshoot experiments, and communicate findings clearly is required.
Strong collaboration, organization, scientific writing, and problem‑solving skills are required.
Experience studying antibodies, antigens, epitopes, or immune protein complexes is preferred.
Experience with negative‑stain EM, X‑ray crystallography, Cryo‑ET, or complementary biophysical methods is preferred.
Familiarity with antibody discovery, structure‑guided design, or biologics drug discovery is preferred.
Track record of published structures and demonstrated impact on drug discovery projects is preferred.

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.

#LI-Hybrid

Preferred Skills: