Principal Scientist, Peptide Chemistry

Johnson & Johnson is currently seeking a Principal Scientist, Peptide Chemistry to join our team in Spring House, PA.

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. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/.

For more than 130 years, diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) has been a part of our cultural fabric at Johnson & Johnson and woven into how we do business every day. Rooted in Our Credo, the values of DEI fuel our pursuit to create a healthier, more equitable world. Our diverse workforce and culture of belonging accelerate innovation to solve the world's most pressing healthcare challenges.

We know that the success of our business - and our ability to deliver meaningful solutions - depends on how well we understand and meet the diverse needs of the communities we serve. Which is why we foster a culture of inclusion and belonging where all perspectives, abilities and experiences are valued and our people can reach their potential.

At Johnson & Johnson, we all belong.

The Peptide group within Global Discovery Chemistry group is committed to the delivery of high-quality drug candidates working across all Therapeutic Areas (TAs). This mission requires deep scientific expertise in multiple disciplines including chemistry, cellular and molecular pharmacology, enzymology, and screening technologies coupled with an ability to work collaboratively with internal and external partners. Building on a strong legacy of success, we are currently seeking an outstanding individual to join our team as Principal Scientist, Discovery Chemistry. This position will be based at our drug discovery site in Spring House, PA.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated chemist with excellent peptide chemistry expertise to deliver peptide drug discovery programs and advance peptide chemistry across the portfolio toward the clinic. Using a mix of internal and external resources, the Principal Scientist will partner with key program stakeholders and be co-responsible for building, managing, and delivering high quality peptides suitable for clinical evaluation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Independently designing and synthesizing drug-like peptide molecules utilizing current medicinal chemistry knowledge, including property-based optimization, and an understanding of ADME, pharmacokinetics and optimal physicochemical properties.
• Contribute to Medicinal Chemistry for one or more drug discovery projects, working in concert with partners in molecular and cellular biology, pharmacology, computational chemistry, ADME, structural biology, chemical development, and contract research organizations (CROs)
• Apply and build Peptide capabilities using state-of-the-art design, chemistry, and technology across Therapeutic Discovery
• Excellent communication to develop effective partnerships across J&J and with external partners
• Contribute to portfolio and stage-gate reviews, preparation of dossiers for clinical candidate nomination and compound advancement
• Serve as a scientific expert in peptide and medicinal chemistry with both internal and external partners and provide recommendations regarding emerging opportunities.
• Analyze synthetic routes to designed compounds, screening data, perform literature reviews, design, propose, and execute medicinal chemistry plans, coordinate chemistry and biology data to support compound progression and patent strategies
• Provide scientific direction and leadership for synthetic and medicinal chemistry activities of internal, external FTEs and contract research organizations (CROs).
• Participate in shaping and implementing strategies that support synthetic and medicinal chemistry growth objectives at J&J, including academic relations and talent acquisition
• Ensure optimal interaction/communication and provide updates on project status to leadership
• Maintain a significant level of productivity in the laboratory setting

Qualifications

Education:

• PhD in peptide, synthetic organic, or medicinal chemistry or relevant industrial experience with a minimum of 5 or more years' additionally in the biopharmaceutical industry working with Peptides. BS or MS degree and additional years of proven experience will also be considered.

Experience and Skills:

Required:

• Expertise in the operation of parallel peptide synthesizers
• Experience designing peptides using computational modeling tools
• Good understanding of cellular/molecular biology, biochemistry, disease pharmacology, mechanisms of drug metabolism and molecular toxicology, pharmaco-kinetic and pharmaco-dynamic sciences, and formulations for the in vivo evaluation of drug candidates
• Knowledge of and/or experience with computational chemistry methods and biophysical techniques such as X-ray crystallography and macromolecular NMR

• Strong problem-solving skills for developing creative, innovative solutions, and meeting project objectives

Preferred:

• Multiple parallel peptide synthesis platforms
• Permeable and orally bioavailable peptides
• Peptide hit finding approaches

• Strong track record of scientific contributions including peer reviewed first-author publications, patent applications, and presentations at major national meetings
• Oral peptide design strategies, including half-life extension approaches and incorporation of unnatural amino acids
• Demonstrated operational skills for contributing to discovery programs at the level of a senior chemist
• Broad experience and proven accomplishments in one or more Therapeutic Areas

Johnson & Johnson is an Affirmative Action and 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, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

For more information on how we support the whole health of our employees throughout their wellness, career and life journey, please visit www.careers.jnj.com.