Preclinical Scientist, Surgical – MedTech Surgery Full-time

Preclinical Scientist, Surgical

Fueled by innovation at the intersection of biology and technology, we're developing the next generation of smarter, less invasive, more personalized treatments.

Are you passionate about improving and expanding the possibilities of surgery? Ready to join a team that's reimagining how we heal? Our Surgery team will give you the chance to deliver surgical technologies and solutions to surgeons and healthcare professionals around the world. Your contributions will help effectively treat some of the world's most prevalent conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Patients are waiting.

We are searching for the best talent for a Preclinical Scientist, Surgical to support our MedTech Surgery group. The role will be based in Cincinnati, OH and will work an On-Site schedule with 5 days per week onsite.

Purpose: The Surgical Scientist provides specialized surgical and technical support for preclinical research, development, and evaluation using animate, inanimate, and cadaveric models. This role is responsible for executing and overseeing complex surgical procedures (open, laparoscopic, robotic) in GLP and non‑GLP environments, developing and validating preclinical surgical models, and contributing to experimental design and regulatory documentation. The incumbent will also lead and participate in advanced laboratory studies to support product development activities at the Cincinnati facility. The position requires demonstrated surgical expertise, strong collaborative skills, and a commitment to animal welfare and regulatory compliance.

You will be responsible for:

• Serve as primary or assistant study surgeon to execute study protocols and assess, surgically test device prototypes across preclinical platforms.
• Independently plan, execute, and document advanced laboratory studies, including GLP‑compliant work onsite and at designated external sites.
• Develop, validate, and translate surgical models (animal, tissue, phantoms) to support research objectives and cross‑functional programs.
• Perform in vivo and in vitro/ex vivo surgical technical procedures to generate high‑quality, reproducible data.
• Contribute to experimental design, identify process or procedural gaps, and implement corrective actions or process improvements in collaboration with the RAD scientific team.
• Maintain and ensure proper functioning, calibration, and documentation for surgical and laboratory equipment and analytical instruments.
• Support study coordination, resource allocation, data collection, and entry; assist with data integrity, analysis, and reporting using site databases and software systems.
• Provide surgical training, mentorship, and technical guidance to staff; participate in teaching activities that support RAD business development.
• Build and sustain scientific collaborations to deliver partial, specialized, or end‑to‑end study support to meet site research objectives.
• Supports in drafting reports with detailed outcomes and results of research findings to relevant groups.
• Demonstrate and champion animal welfare principles and the 3Rs (replacement, reduction, refinement) in all activities; ensure adherence to internal policies and external welfare standards.
• Participate and help the RAD scientific team in Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) processes and liaise with external regulatory agencies (e.g., USDA) as required. Strong commitment to animal welfare and the 3Rs.
• Maintain required professional certifications and training; support continuous professional development of the team.
• Understands and applies Johnson & Johnson's Credo and Leadership Imperatives in day-to-day interactions with team.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Minimum of Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field required; Advanced Degree strongly preferred.
• At least 5-10+ years' hands‑on experience performing surgical procedures on large animal species, including but not limited to porcine, caprine, and canine required.
• Surgical Research Specialist (SRS) certification highly preferred.
• Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT/LVT) credential highly preferred.
• Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) certification or similar highly preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of animal (and human preferred) anatomy, physiology, and surgical principles.
• Demonstrated surgical expertise using animate, inanimate, and cadaveric models across multiple platforms/species.
• Proficient with Windows‑based software: word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, databases, project planning, and email.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; effective listener and presenter.
• Proven ability to work independently with sound judgment and to escalate or accept direction as appropriate.
• Demonstrated problem‑solving skills and independent decision‑making in preclinical research settings.
• Ability to provide team leadership, mentor junior staff, and contribute to a collaborative research environment.
• Up to 25% travel to Santa Clara may be required.

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.

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

Analytical Reasoning, Clinical Data Management, Clinical Evaluations, Clinical Trial Protocols, Coaching, Consulting, Data Savvy, Drug Discovery Development, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Medicines and Device Development and Regulation, Persistence and Tenacity, Regulatory Affairs Management, Research Documents, Resource Management, Safety-Oriented, Scientific Research, Technologically Savvy

The anticipated base pay range for this position is :

$92,000.00 – $148,350.00

Additional Description for Pay Transparency:

Subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees are eligible to participate in the Company's consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)). Subject to the terms of their respective policies and date of hire, employees are eligible for the following time off benefits: Vacation –120 hours per calendar year Sick time – 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Colorado –48 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington –56 hours per calendar year Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –13 days per calendar year Work, Personal and Family Time – up to 40 hours per calendar year Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child Bereavement Leave – 240 hours for an immediate family member: 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year Caregiver Leave – 80 hours in a 52-week rolling period 10 daysVolunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year For additional general information on Company benefits, please go to: https://www.careers.jnj.com/employee-benefits