Function
Discovery & Pre-Clinical/Clinical Development
Sub function
Chemical Research
Category
Principal Scientist, Chemical Research (ST7)
Location
Spring House / United States of America
Date posted
Jun 10 2025
Requisition number
R-017477
Work pattern
Fully Onsite
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 https://www.jnj.com

QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD in synthetic organic or medicinal chemistry or related field is required; experience in bioconjugation a plus
• Postdoctoral experience is preferred
• A minimum of 3 or more years’ experience in the biopharmaceutical industry with a proven track record of innovative contributions in ADCs is required
• Expert knowledge of modern methods of ADCs and linker-payload design, synthetic execution, purification, and characterization with ability to successfully and simultaneously provide ADC chemistry support on multiple projects is required
• Strong understanding of medicinal chemistry is highly preferred
• Solid understanding of cellular/molecular biology, biochemistry, disease pharmacology, mechanisms of drug metabolism and molecular toxicology, pharmaco-kinetic and pharmaco-dynamic sciences, and formulations for the in vivo evaluation of ADC drug candidates is required
• Knowledge of and/or experience with computational chemistry methods and biophysical techniques such as X-ray crystallography and macromolecular NMR is preferred
• Ability to integrate multiple R&D disciplines into a successful project plan is required
• Strong problem-solving skills for developing creative, innovative solutions, and meeting project objectives are required
• Demonstrated influence, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills, including the ability to succeed within a matrix environment, are required
• Experience in working on project teams, aligning actions with overall strategy, and supporting business cases for decision-making is preferred
• Proven track record of scientific contributions including peer reviewed publications, patent applications, and presentations at national meetings is required
• Record of maintaining a strong lab presence and commitment to invest up to 80% of time in the lab is required
• This role is based in Spring House, PA and may require up to 10% travel.
  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 vertebras 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, please email the Employee Health Support Center (ra-employeehealthsup@its.jnj.com) or contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource

PURPOSE:

The candidate will contribute to building and sustaining J&J’s state of the art platform, contributing chemistry solutions around antibody drug conjugate (ADC) linker payload design and synthesis. They will work closely with colleagues across all functions in Global Discovery Chemistry, especially the bioconjugation team. This role will report into the Therapeutics Discovery Head of ADC Discovery within J&J IM Research and Development and be a member of the Conjugation Chemistry Enablement Team. Candidates with specialized expertise (i.e., bioconjugation, peptides, chemical biology, RNA therapeutics, HTE, etc.) are encouraged to apply.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• As a dynamic ADC chemist, drive and direct chemistry platform build and functions for one or more drug discovery projects, working in concert with partners in bioconjugation, pharmacology, computational chemistry, ADME, structural biology, chemical development, and other key functions
• Analyze screening data, perform literature reviews, design, propose, and execute ADC chemistry plans, coordinate chemistry and biology data to support progression and patent strategies
• Direct ADC design and synthetic chemistry activities internally and at contract research organizations (CROs)
• Participate in portfolio and stage-gate reviews, lead the preparation and presentation of dossiers for clinical candidate nomination and compound advancement
• Participate in shaping and implementing strategies that support ADC chemistry growth objectives at J&J
• Serve as a scientific expert in ADC chemistry with both internal and external partners and provide recommendations regarding new designs, strategies, and emerging external ADC opportunities
• Ensure optimal interaction/communication and provide updates on project status to discovery leadership
• Maintain a high level of productivity in the laboratory setting