Principal Scientist, Bioanalytical Discovery & Development Sciences

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 https://www.jnj.com

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Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine is recruiting for a Principal Scientist, Bioanalytical Discovery & Development Sciences, located in Beerse, Belgium.

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 https://www.jnj.com/.

For more than 130 years, an inclusive work environment has been a part of our cultural fabric at Johnson & Johnson and woven into how we do business every day. Guided by Our Credo, this value empowers our commitment to fostering a healthier and more equitable world. Our diverse workforce and culture of belonging accelerate innovation to solve the world’s most pressing healthcare challenges.

We know that the success of our business – and our ability to deliver meaningful solutions – depends on how well we understand and meet the diverse needs of the communities we serve. Which is why we foster a culture of inclusion and belonging where all perspectives, abilities and experiences are valued, and our people can reach their potential.

At Johnson & Johnson, we all belong.

The Development PK team within the Bioanalytical Discovery & Development Sciences (BDDS) Department at our research division in Beerse, Belgium, is seeking a lab-based bioanalytical assay development expert at the Principal Scientist level. The ideal candidate will have extensive hands-on experience in protein therapeutics (monoclonal antibodies, ADCs, fusion proteins, etc.) bioanalysis, focusing primarily on ligand binding assay (LBA) approaches. While experience in LC-MS is highly desirable, it is not mandatory.

In this role, you will operate within a regulated bioanalytical laboratory that provides crucial bioanalytical support for First-in-man clinical studies alongside a highly collaborative team of scientists. Your responsibilities will include providing technical project leadership centered on the development of innovative bioanalytical assays to support J&J's pipeline.

In this exciting role, you will:

• Set and influence bioanalytical program strategies across a portfolio of projects, serving as the key contact for effectively communicating technical information across cross-functional teams.
• Independently manage functional deliverables for assigned programs, driving daily scientific efforts with broad project goals and solving complex problems predominantly in LBA.
• Design experiments, interpret and track results, and utilize findings to optimize and advance bioanalytical support across bioanalytical platforms.
• Maintain a strong focus on laboratory operations, ensuring accurate and timely documentation of electronic notebooks and study records in compliance with regulations.

Education Requirements:

Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related discipline with a minimum of 4 years of relevant industry experience OR a Master’s with a minimum of 6 years of relevant industry experience.

Required Experience and Skill Set:

• Proven experience in supervising and strategically leading teams in a laboratory setting for internal assay development, troubleshooting, validation, and sample analysis, primarily utilizing LBA approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to design, develop, validate, and execute ECL-based ligand-binding assays for the quantification of proteins, including xenobiotics, biotherapeutics, and biomarkers from pre-clinical and clinical studies in a regulated environment.
• Profound knowledge of laboratory automation processes using platforms such as Hamilton and KingFisher.
• Proficient in maintaining, troubleshooting, and operating MSD instruments.
• Strong ability to lead the development of innovative bioanalytical approaches and experimental designs in a lab setting.
• Comprehensive understanding of the drug development process and a solid knowledge of bioanalytical guidelines and regulatory requirements (ICHM10), focusing on method validation and sample analysis.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a track record of fostering collaboration in a laboratory environment.

Preferred Experience and Skill Set:

• A history of publication in peer-reviewed journals and an established scientific reputation, including presentations at scientific meetings and contributions to working groups.
• Understanding of the external scientific environment and state-of-the-art instrumentation, with the ability to translate insights into scientific innovation.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced laboratory environment, demonstrating flexibility and professionalism while working within a team.
• Experience with lab automation is a plus.