Senior Distinguished Scientist

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

Job Function:

Discovery & Pre-Clinical/Clinical Development

Job Sub Function:

Clinical Development & Research – MD

Job Category:

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations:

San Diego, California, United States of America, Spring House, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Job Description:

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

Johnson and Johnson Innovative Medicine is seeking a Senior Distinguished Scientist to be located in Spring House, Pennsylvania or La Jolla, CA. Remote work options may be considered on a case-by-case basis and if approved by the Company.

The Senior Distinguished Scientist will be an integral part of the Pathobiology team within Preclinical Sciences and Translational Safety (PSTS). Pathobiology encompasses various fields including Anatomic Pathology, Clinical Pathology & Safety Biomarkers, Immunotoxicology, and Investigative Pathobiology, which covers necropsy, histology, Molecular Pathology, clinical and immunology laboratory analyses, and biomarker development and analysis.

In the role of Senior Distinguished Scientist , you will collaborate closely with the Global Head of Pathobiology and functional subject area heads, contributing to the development of innovative therapeutics across different therapeutic areas and approaches. They will provide matrixed scientific leadership to a multinational, cross-disciplinary team focused on pathobiology, as well as coordinating with various aspects of PSTS and other departments including DPDS, Therapeutic Areas, and Global Medical Safety (Office of the Chief Medical Officer - OCMO). Collaborating closely with the functional leaders in Pathobiology, the will help guide our global Pathobiology team and laboratories to ensure a proactive and consistent state of readiness, enabling J&J Innovative Medicine R&D to remain competitive and influential within each portfolio project regarding discovery, investigative and toxicologic-pathology, and immunotoxicology.

Key Responsibilities

• End-to-end portfolio-facing support as a matrixed scientific leader. Ensure competitive, scientific rigor and quality, and consistent milestone readiness. Ensure timely awareness of emerging safety issues, fit-for-purpose investigative and issue resolution plans.
• Assure Pathobiology maintains a proactive approach to support portfolio milestones such as due diligence tasks, transition gates, functional evaluations, portfolio committees, compound monographs, and regulatory interactions. Collaborates closely with PSTS and DPDS portfolio operations and analytics to facilitate appropriate milestone readiness.
• Collaborate effectively with leaders across PSTS, Therapeutic Areas, and OCMO to ensure appropriate readiness for translational safety within the portfolio from pre-portfolio to post-registration phases. May represent Pathobiology and PSTS in Translational Safety interfaces across IM R&D.
• Enhance PSTS readiness for governance and significant data reviews by working closely with PSTS GLT, TALs, and PSTS Teams, and participating in existing science/governance forums such as the PSTS Functional Reviews, Portfolio Project Reviews, P3R, and Issue Resolution Forum.
• Ensure early identification and timely communication of safety issues. Influences the development of investigative and resolution plans, facilitating integration and communication of Pathobiology outputs across collaborative functions.
• Assist Pathobiology leadership and team members in effectively communicating and applying outputs in portfolio governance within PSTS and across other departments, including assuring quality of reports and facilitation decks, contributions in regulatory submissions and medical safety interactions, while also advising on strategies and resolution of crucial scientific matters.
• Guarantee that safety assessment plans are thorough and competitive from Pathobiology expertise perspective, considering the principles of the 3Rs, NAM, and translational safety objectives while effectively applying the totality of PSTS and Pathobiology expertise and capabilities.
• Coordinate Pathobiology's input for due diligence efforts, including assignment of functional SME representation to due diligence teams, ensuring functional subject matter experts are engaged and communications are clear and decision-oriented.
• Actively participate as a member of the Pathobiology Senior Leadership Team, stepping into leadership roles for Translational Safety initiatives and portfolio governance as needed. Contribute significantly to strategy development and collaborations within Translational Science and Safety spaces, and engage with fellows and leaders within PSTS and the Translational Safety Community of Practice.
• Provide mentorship and coaching to Pathobiology leaders and staff, aiding in talent development to ensure a well-rounded and future-ready scientific team. Collaborate with GLT to ensure the success of PSTS Teams. Advances other scientists through consultation, mentoring, and collaborative leadership to build depth of capability within Pathobiology, and provides functional (matrix) supervision.
• Elevate personal and J&J Innovative Medicine R&D visibility by engaging in external organizations and presenting at significant scientific, industry, and regulatory events.
• 15% travel

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in toxicology, pathology, veterinary or clinical medicine, biochemistry, immunology, cell biology, pharmacology, toxicology or related discipline (bioengineering, medicine, veterinary science or related field) and professional degree (DVM, MD) with training or extensive experience in cell and molecular toxicology or related biologic disciplines and pathology board certification (e.g. DACVP, DECVP)

• 15 + years of pharmaceutical/biotechnology research management coincident with experience in drug development

• Proven track-record in leading complex scientific teams, including direct people management and coordination of management experience across geographies directed toward mechanistic pathobiology scientific resolution and toxicology submissions

• Exceptional interpersonal skills, diplomacy and negotiating skills, troubleshooting skills and ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment and to help coach and mentor staff similarly

• This role requires excellent communication including the ability to assure full clarity on intent, and audience specific content, with respect to serious pathology findings and communications around these (both oral and written for various stakeholders).

Strong change, process management and organizational skills; knowledge of GLP, data security/integrity standards, and regulatory submission requirements

The anticipated base range for this role is: $226,000-$391,000.

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  ([email protected]) or contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

Clinical Research and Regulations, Clinical Trials, Collaborating, Data Management and Informatics, Design Mindset, Drug Discovery Development, Global Market, Industry Analysis, Innovation, Market Research, Program Management, Regulatory Affairs Management, Research Ethics, Scientific Evaluation, Scientific Research, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Change