Associate Scientist, Biological/In Vivo Research Neurodegeneration and Neuroinflammation Full-time

Associate Scientist, Biological/In Vivo Research Neurodegeneration And Neuroinflammation

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicines is recruiting for an Associate Scientist, Biological/In Vivo Research Neurodegeneration and Neuroinflammation to contribute to a 3-year VLAIO-funded research program focused on neurodegenerative disease mechanisms and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease. This position will be located in Beerse, Belgium. This is a temporary, full-time position with a duration of 3 years.

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.

Our Neuroscience team tackles the world's toughest brain health challenges including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, myasthenia gravis, epilepsy, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism. This patient-focused team helps address some of the most complex diseases of our time.

Join us in developing treatments, finding cures, and pioneering the path from lab to life while championing patients every step of the way.

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated Associate Scientist to support research activities in neuroscience discovery, contributing to advanced models of neurodegeneration. The candidate will work in a multidisciplinary team and perform hands-on in vivo and in vitro experiments to study Alzheimer's disease-relevant mechanisms, including Tau pathology, neurodegeneration, and neuroinflammation, using translational models. The role involves execution of preclinical studies in rodent models and application of advanced human cell-based systems, including iPSC-derived cultures. The candidate should possess substantial experience working with small laboratory animals and surgical techniques, as well as a solid background in cell culture methodologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct assigned scientific experiments and data analyses, with supervisory guidance, to advance preclinical, biological exploration programs, in compliance with Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN), Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), and animal welfare standards.
• Support development, execution, and refinement of rodent disease models relevant to neurodegeneration, including data generation for translational studies linking in vivo and human biology.
• Perform in vivo studies in rodents, including handling of laboratory animals (rodents), stereotactic surgeries, and sample collection/preparation for downstream analyses (e.g., IHC, ELISA, transcriptomics, proteomics).
• Perform in vitro cell culture experiments, including maintenance and differentiation of iPSC-derived microglial cultures.
• Apply a range of molecular, cellular, and biochemical techniques, such as immunohistochemistry, biochemical readouts (e.g., ELISA, protein analysis) and sample preparation for downstream omics analyses (e.g., transcriptomics, proteomics).
• Provide input, troubleshooting and support for scientific experiments, analyses, and tasks, while ensuring high-quality experimental execution, including accurate documentation and data recording in compliance with ELN standards, timely reporting and communication of experimental results.
• Understand and apply Johnson & Johnson's Credo and Leadership Imperatives in day-to-day interactions with the team.

Qualifications & Experience / What you bring

• Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience, Biology, or a related life science discipline with demonstrated relevant work experience. Background in neuroscience or neurodegeneration research is considered a strong plus with additional familiarity in Alzheimer's disease biology considered advantageous.
• FELASA-B/C certification (or equivalent accreditation for laboratory animal work) is required.
• Strong commitment to laboratory-based, high-quality experimental work, data integrity, and reproducibility.
• Experience with stereotactic brain surgery in rodents. Exposure to SOPF facility/immune-compromised animals is considered a strong asset.
• Experience with cell culture techniques. Familiarity with advanced cell culture systems, including iPSC-derived microglia is considered a plus.
• Knowledge of single-cell sequencing approaches (e.g., scRNA-seq, single-nuclei RNA-seq) and downstream data interpretation is an asset.
• Attention to detail with the ability to accurately record, analyse, and interpret scientific data, maintain thorough and compliant experimental documentation (ELN).
• Good organizational skills and ability to manage multiple experimental tasks in a fast-paced research setting.
• Excellent interpersonal skills. Strong team player with effective communication abilities. Work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.
• Proactive, motivated, and eager to learn new techniques.
• Problem-solving mindset with the ability to troubleshoot experiments and suggest improvements.
• Commitment to animal welfare and 3R principles in experimental design and execution.

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, please contact us via https://www.jnj.com/contact-us/careers or contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.

The anticipated base pay range for this position is:

€52,000.00 – €82,685.00

In addition to base pay, we offer the following benefits*: an annual bonus with set target (% of pay) depending on pay grade / location, where the actual amount is based on the employees' and companies' performance of the previous calendar year, or sales commissions. Moreover, we offer vacation days, parental leave for a minimum of 12 weeks, bereavement leave, caregiver leave, volunteer leave, well-being reimbursement, programs for financial, physical and mental health. We also offer service anniversary and recognition awards, and subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees – and in some location's eligible dependents – can participate in several insurance plans. For more information, visit Employee benefits | Supporting well-being & career growth | Johnson & Johnson Careers.

*This is for informative purposes only. Amounts and actual benefits may vary by location and are subject to change.