Senior Scientist, Structural Biology Full-time NEW

Senior Scientist, Structural Biology

We are searching for the best talent for our Senior Scientist, Structural Biology position to be located in San Diego, CA.

Purpose: Join J&J's Structural Biology team as a Senior Scientist to drive high-impact structural studies that accelerate therapeutic discovery. You will lead end-to-end sample preparation, structure determination, and cross-functional interpretation for multimeric protein complexes and protein–small-molecule systems. This role requires deep, hands-on expertise across X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM workflows and a track record of delivering high-resolution structures.

You will be responsible for:

• Prepare, purify, and characterize multimeric protein complexes (e.g., Fab/antigen assemblies, proximity-inducing complexes) for structural studies.
• Lead crystallization screening and optimization for protein–small molecule and multimeric protein complexes.
• Apply seeding, ligand soaking, back-soaking, and co-crystallization techniques.
• Perform cryoprotection and crystal harvesting/freezing to prepare crystals for data collection.
• Prepare cryo-EM grids and support cryo-EM sample optimization workflows.
• Determine high-resolution structures using X-ray crystallography or cryo-EM and clearly communicate structural insights and recommendations to cross-functional project teams.
• Collaborate closely with protein scientists, biophysicists, and structural biologists as part of an integrated structural biology effort.
• Contribute to strategic planning and method development within the Structural Biology group to expand capabilities and increase throughput.

Qualifications/ Requirements:

• PhD in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or a related discipline with 2 years relevant postdoctoral or industry experience; or MS with 4 years of industry experience is required.
• Hands-on experience with X-ray crystallography workflows, including crystallization screening/optimization, ligand soaking/co-crystallization, crystal freezing, and structure solution/refinement is required.
• Experience with automated crystallization screening technologies is required.
• Proven ability to prepare and purify multimeric protein complexes (e.g., Fab/antigen, ternary complexes) is required.
• Experience with protein construct design for structural biology is required.
• Expertise in structure determination by X-ray crystallography, CryoEM, or a related field is required.
• Strong data analysis skills and experience communicating structural results to multidisciplinary teams is required.
• Excellent collaboration, project communication, and problem-solving skills is required.
• Practical experience with cryo-EM grid preparation and sample optimization is preferred.
• Experience in structure-based drug design (SBDD) using X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and/or protein NMR is preferred.
• Experience with structure determination involving diverse modalities (small molecules, peptides, proximity inducers, large molecules) is preferred.
• Broad knowledge of biophysics, biochemistry, molecular pharmacology, and protein sciences is preferred.
• Track record of published structures and demonstrated impact on drug discovery projects is preferred.

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 https://www.jnj.com/contact-us/careers, internal employees contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.

Required Skills: Accelerating, Analytical Reasoning, Clinical Data Management, Critical Thinking, Data Analysis, Data Reporting, Data Savvy, Design of Experiments (DOE), Drug Discovery Development, Issue Escalation, Molecular Diagnostics, Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Product Knowledge, Research Proposals, Scientific Research, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Technologically Savvy

The anticipated base pay range for this position is: $109,000.00 – $174,800.00

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 days Volunteer 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