Principal Scientist, Oligonucleotide Biology-Rna, Gene Therapy & Delivery

Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., a division of Johnson & Johnson's Family of Companies is recruiting for a Principal Scientist, Oligonucleotide Biology- RNA, Gene Therapy & Delivery located in La Jolla, CA.

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/ .

RNA, Gene Therapy & Delivery is an organization within Therapeutics Discovery, committed to the delivery of high-quality drug candidates in the novel synthetic modalities space working closely with Janssen Therapeutic Areas (TA) discovery teams. Our mission requires critical thinking, a portfolio approach and deep scientific expertise in several fields including oligonucleotide chemistry, bioconjugation chemistry, nanotechnology, cellular and molecular pharmacology and screening technologies coupled with an ability to work collaboratively with internal and external partners. This role offers tremendous growth opportunity within a dynamic and science driven organization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead from the bench to design and implement oligonucleotide therapeutic strategies, optimize efficacy and safety, and select development candidates.
• Build and lead a team of scientists to establish and complete screening strategies both in vitro and in vivo.
• Establish standardized and novel in vitro/in vivo screening assays to identify efficacious oligonucleotide therapeutics and assess their safety and off-target profile for drug discovery programs.
• Serve as project co-lead for RNA therapeutics in collaboration with Therapeutic Area (TA) discovery leads to advance projects through the preclinical stage gates.
• Work collaboratively with partners in oligonucleotide chemistry, pharmacology, computational chemistry, ADME, structural biology, chemical development, and other key functions.
• Collaborate with colleagues in RNA, Gene Therapy & Delivery and Therapeutic Areas (TA) discovery teams to evaluate the function of lead oligonucleotide candidates in animal and cellular models of disease.
• Critically evaluate experiment data and communicate scientific findings as verbal presentations and written reports, and provide updates on project status to the Therapeutics Discovery leadership Team.

Education:

• PhD in Life Sciences with more than 8 years of industry and postdoctoral experience in RNA therapeutics drug discovery OR Master's degree with more than 12 years of industry experience OR Bachelor's degree with more than 15 years of industry experience is required.

Experience and Skills:
Required:

• Broad knowledge of standard molecular and gene expression methodologies (Protein detection and quantification, qPCR, ELISA, etc.) and assay development is required.
• Deep understanding of the RNA therapeutics drug discovery process, from target validation to candidate selection is required.
• Hands-on experience handling and treating cell lines and developing cell culture assays is required.
• Excellent critical thinking and scientific skills with a demonstrated ability to interpret and clearly communicate complex data is required.
• Strong team partner with the ability to work effectively in a dynamic matrix team environment with diverse views is required.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and timelines is required.

Preferred:

• Postdoctoral experience with an emphasis on oligonucleotide and/or RNA biology is preferred.
• Hands on experience with high-throughput screening approaches is preferred.
• Experience advancing oligonucleotide therapeutics from discovery into development is preferred.
• Knowledge of analysis of genomics datasets and RNA-seq methodologies is preferred.
• Previous experience with safety profiling assays, innate immune responses, etc. for oligonucleotide therapeutics is preferred.
• Experience working with primary and iPSC-derived cell systems from animals and humans is preferred.
• Proven track record of accomplishments in oligonucleotide/RNA biology research in the form of patents, publications and/or presentations at major national meetings is preferred.
• Exposure to delivery using bioconjugates or lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery systems is preferred.
• Working knowledge of oligonucleotide chemistry technologies to facilitate effective team collaboration is preferred.
• Experience with in vivo studies is preferred

The anticipated base pay range for this position is $135,000 to $232,300.

The Company maintains highly competitive, performance-based compensation programs. Under current guidelines, this position is eligible for an annual performance bonus in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan. The annual performance bonus is a cash bonus intended to provide an incentive to achieve annual targeted results by rewarding for individual and the corporation's performance over a calendar/performance year. Bonuses are awarded at the Company's discretion on an individual basis.

Employees and/or eligible dependents may be eligible to participate in the following Company sponsored employee benefit programs: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, business accident insurance, and group legal insurance.

Employees may be eligible to participate in the Company's consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k).

Employees are eligible for the following time off benefits:

• Vacation - up to 120 hours per calendar year.
• Sick time - up to 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington - up to 56 hours per calendar year.
• Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays - up to 13 days per calendar year.
• Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year.

Additional information can be found through the link below.

For additional general information on Company benefits, please go to: https://www.careers.jnj.com/employee-benefits .

This job posting is anticipated to close on 03/11/2024. The Company may however extend this time-period, in which case the posting will remain available on https://www.careers.jnj.com to accept additional applications.

Johnson & Johnson is an Affirmative Action and 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, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

For more information on how we support the whole health of our employees throughout their wellness, career and life journey, please visit www.careers.jnj.com .