Senior Scientist, Discovery- Oncology In Vivo Full-time

Senior Scientist, Discovery-Oncology In Vivo

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.

Our Oncology team is focused on the elimination of cancer by discovering new pathways and modalities to finding treatments and cures. We lead where medicine is going and need innovators with an unwavering commitment to results.

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

We are searching for the best talent for a Senior Scientist, Discovery-Oncology In Vivo position and is based in San Diego, CA.

Role Overview

Join our Oncology In Vivo team and drive the characterization and development of small molecules, biologics, radioligands, antibody-drug conjugates, cell therapies, and immune modulators for cancer treatment, coordinating cross-functional teams and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. You will lead in vivo and ex vivo studies across multiple research programs and contribute to the advancement of innovative therapies.

Key Responsibilities

Design, execute, and interpret independently in vivo pharmacology studies to validate and characterize oncology targets and therapeutic agents.

Develop and optimize in vivo models, including efficacy, mechanism of action, PK/PD biomarker studies, and dose/schedule evaluations in diverse cancer models.

Lead the development and adaptation of research methods from literature or internal innovation to improve existing models.

Perform and oversee complex in vivo preclinical cancer studies, ensuring scientific rigor, compliance with all regulatory requirements, internal quality standards and timely delivery.

Analyze and present data using appropriate statistical methods in formats suitable for internal stakeholders and external publications.

Collaborate across functions and contribute to projects beyond your own area, acting as a scientific resource and thought leader.

Manage multiple projects simultaneously, coordinating with project leaders and external partners as needed.

Mentor and supervise junior scientists, fostering technical excellence and professional growth.

Contribute to ex vivo analyses (flow cytometry, IHC, ELISA, RT-PCR, Luminex®) and imaging studies (bioluminescent imaging for metastatic disease models) as required.

Stay current with oncology and tumor immunology literature to integrate emerging insights into research strategies.

Communicate clearly and professionally, delivering impactful presentations and reports to internal teams and external audiences.

Flexibility required for occasional weekend, evening and holiday dosing or animal monitoring. Some onboarding training may be conducted in Spring House, PA site.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree (BS/ BA) in the life sciences (molecular/ cellular biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, tumor immunology) with at least 10 years of relevant pharmaceutical or biotech industry/ lab/ academic experience OR a Master's degree (MS) with at least 7 years of relevant experience, or PhD with 1-3 years of relevant post-graduate experience.

Ability to cell culture of cancer and immune cells.

Experience with oncology-relevant xenografts and syngeneic mouse models is required; primary grafts, orthotopic models, humanized models, or genetically engineered tumor models are preferred.

Experience with small molecules and/ or biologics is required.

Experience with immune-modulatory agents, vaccines or cell therapies such as CAR-Ts is desirable.

Strong skills in tumor implantation techniques and dosing, proper handling of therapeutics, tumor measurement, health monitoring, and data collection and analysis are required.

Experience with bioluminescent imaging, flow cytometry, IHC, ELISA, RT-PCR, Westerns, or Luminex® is desirable.

Strong organizational skills including the ability to manage several projects simultaneously; detail oriented with excellent record keeping skills are required.

Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with matrixed teams, internally and externally, is required.

Excellent data management and record-keeping skills are required.

Ability to effectively present scientific data and concepts to colleagues and teams is critical, and experience presenting at external meetings is also required.

Proven track record of adherence to animal welfare and compliance regulations is critical.

Experience with mentoring or managing direct reports is desirable.

Experience in writing technical drafts for patent filings, IND (US-FDA) or CTA (EMA) filings is desirable.

Subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees and/or eligible dependents are 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.

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)).

This position is eligible to participate in the Company's long-term incentive program.

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 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
• Condolence Leave – 30 days for an immediate family member: 5 days for an extended family member
• Caregiver Leave – 10 days
• Volunteer Leave – 4 days
• Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours

Additional information can be found through the link below.

The anticipated base pay range for this position is: $105,000 – $169,050

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, external applicants please contact us via, internal employees contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.

Required Skills: Clinical Trial Management Systems (CTMS), Clinical Trials Operations, Critical Thinking, Data Savvy, Drug Discovery Development, Innovation, Pharmacodynamics, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacology, Pharmacometrics, Pharmacovigilance, Process Improvements, Product Improvements, Relationship Building, Safety-Oriented, Scientific Research, Technologically Savvy

Preferred Skills: Clinical Trial Management Systems (CTMS), Clinical Trials Operations, Critical Thinking, Data Savvy, Drug Discovery Development, Innovation, Pharmacodynamics, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacology, Pharmacometrics, Pharmacovigilance, Process Improvements, Product Improvements, Relationship Building, Safety-Oriented, Scientific Research, Technologically Savvy