Sr Principal Scientist Bio-Catalysis in Chemical Process Research Full-time

Job Opportunity at Johnson & Johnson

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.

Job Function: Discovery & Pre-Clinical/Clinical Development

Job Sub Function: Chemical Research

Job Category: Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations: Beerse, Antwerp, Belgium

Job Description

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

The department of Chemical Process Research & Development (CPRD) focuses on the development of synthetic methodologies and processes for small molecules, peptides, oligonucleotides, and other emerging modalities. We currently have an open position in the CPRD High Throughput Experimentation group for a passionate Sr. Principal Scientist in the field of Bio-catalysis.

Job Description

As a Sr. Principal Scientist, you will be responsible for developing impactful biocatalytic solutions to challenging problems in synthetic organic chemistry enabling design of ground-breaking synthesis routes and help us expand and advance our Bio-catalysis capabilities. We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated person to lead the development of biocatalytic solutions aimed at creating efficient synthetic routes for a diverse range of synthetic modalities. This role will involve overseeing of research projects with a focus on enzyme screening, engineering, process development and scale-up of biocatalytic reactions, provide direction on how digital innovation and automation can shape the future of the biocatalysis group internally and help embed these concepts as an integral aspect of our growth strategy. The successful candidate will be able to collaborate across different scientific functions and network across scientific disciplines, mentor junior scientists and foster a culture of innovation and excellence in research.

Qualifications / Requirements

Experience and skills:

• PhD, postdoctoral, or equivalent by research and development experience in chemical biology, enzymology, organic chemistry, biochemistry, biology or related field.
• Several years of experience with demonstrated impact in solving industrially relevant problems.
• Proficient in enzyme screening and engineering technologies and workflows for discovery and optimization of biocatalytic reactions.
• Experience with wide range of enzyme classes.
• Ability to develop internal and external network of contacts and collaborators across functions, sites, and scientific disciplines.
• Proven track record of scientific excellence and successful research supported by peer-reviewed publications.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, fluent in English both verbal and in writing.

Key Behaviors

• We strongly believe that the best science comes out of strong collaboration. Collaborative attitude to work in a multidisciplinary team with different backgrounds (education, gender, nationality, …) is a must!
• Passionate to work in the lab in close collaboration with other team members.
• Displays critical thinking and creativity in problem solving.
• Proactive in finding opportunities for improvement and open attitude towards new approaches.
• Mentors and develops colleagues in own areas of expertise and acts as a role model for others.
• Can challenge the status quo in a constructive manner.
• Excellent teammate which fosters new ideas and is able to create inclusive atmosphere.

Differentiating Competencies

• Interest in AI/ML, bioinformatics and/or other digital innovative tools helping us to further shape the future of bio-catalysis.
• Experience with biocatalytic synthesis of novel modalities such as peptides and/or oligonucleotides.
• Experience in design of biocatalytic cascades.
• Knowledge about the external landscape and emerging biocatalytic technologies.