Senior Scientist Chemical Research Full-time

Senior Scientist

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, part of Johnson & Johnson is seeking a Senior Scientist to join our team in Beerse, Belgium.

Global Discovery Chemistry delivers high quality drug candidates in partnership with all Johnson & Johnson Therapeutic Area (TA) discovery teams. The successful candidate will join a team consisting of chemists with a diversity of skills including Medicinal Chemistry, Automated Synthesis, Computational Chemistry and Cheminformatics, Discovery Process Research, and Analytical Chemistry. They will leverage state-of-the art techniques and instrumentation to develop innovative strategies to design and synthesize drug candidates to advance drug discovery projects across a range of modalities, with a focus on small molecules. Acceleration of discovery programs through application of parallel medicinal chemistry, high throughput experimentation, reaction automation and AI/ML approaches will be a focus.

The individual in this position will find significant leadership opportunity in driving the execution of these strategies, in coordination with Johnson & Johnson colleagues using innovative synthetic chemistry and building new technologies. In addition, the successful candidate will leverage close interactions with data scientists, chemists, biologists and pharmacologists.

Strong collaboration skills and the ability to thrive in a team environment are key attributes. This individual must also excel in communication and have strong interpersonal skills necessary to influence in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment.

This position will be based at our drug discovery site in Beerse, Belgium.

Principal responsibilities:

• Maintaining a high level of productivity in the laboratory setting.
• Collaborate within discovery chemistry teams, among medicinal and computational chemists, assay teams, and therapeutic area biologists to apply high throughput chemistry capabilities, such as parallel medicinal chemistry, modern catalysis screening, high throughput experimentation (HTE) and high throughput purification (HTP) to accelerate Discovery programs
• Supervise and direct parallel chemistry and medicinal chemistry activities internally and/or at contract research organizations (CROs)
• Analyze screening data, perform literature reviews, design, propose, and execute medicinal chemistry plans, coordinate chemistry and biology data to support compound progression and patent strategies
• Serve as a scientific expert in parallel medicinal chemistry with both internal and external partners and provide recommendations regarding new targets, new synthetic strategies and emerging external chemistry capabilities.
• Drafting, executing and serving as lead author on research published in peer reviewed journals, and presenting work at scientific conferences.
• Transition manual and semi-automated workflows to fully automated systems, optimizing processes to enhance efficiency, throughput, robustness, and data quality.
• Communicate data and project status updates through various channels including in-person and virtual meetings.
• Plan and perform experiments, such as modern catalysis screening using high throughput experimentation (HTE), liquid handling automation and high-throughput parallel chemistry with a high degree of independence
• Contribute to the ideation of and design new compounds
• Identify, discuss, and implement new scientific developments within teams and projects
• While embedded in project teams, ensure detailed recording of all data and communicate scientific results in internal meetings, peer-reviewed journals, and conferences

Qualifications

Education

• A PhD in synthetic organic or medicinal chemistry is required

Experience and Skills

• Strong track record of achievement in the synthesis of complex molecules and/or synthetic methodology development, with deep knowledge of modern synthetic & analytical techniques.
• A high level of creativity and efficiency with strong synthesis problem solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal & collaborative skills with an ability to operate as part of a team in a highly inter-dependent environment are essential.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, fluent in English both verbal and in writing
• Proven track record of scientific contributions including peer reviewed publications, patents and presentations.
• Up to 5% travel.

Our offer:

• An exciting position in an international and dynamic environment with continuous learning and growth opportunities
• Working on a site that harbors all aspects of the drug discovery process, located close to the vibrant city of Antwerp.
• We offer an attractive remuneration package complemented with an extensive employee benefits program.
• An inclusive team environment where diversity and different opinions are respected and valued, and the importance of a good work-life balance is recognized.

Required Skills: Preferred Skills:

Chemistry, Collaborating, Critical Thinking, Data Quality, Drug Discovery Development, Emerging Technologies, Execution Focus, Industry Analysis, Innovation, Interdisciplinary Work, Pharmaceutical Trends, Pharmacognosy, Pharmacology, Quantitative Research, Research Ethics, Scientific Research, Technologically Savvy