Senior Principal Scientist, Neuropsychiatry Discovery

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 jnj.com

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world.  We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual.  At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.

Job Function:

Discovery & Pre-Clinical/Clinical Development

Job Sub Function:

Biological Research

Job Category:

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations:

San Diego, California, United States of America

Job Description:

The Neuropsychiatry Discovery department at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine is recruiting for a Senior Principal Scientist, located in San Diego, CA, USA.

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.

Our Neuroscience team tackles the world’s toughest brain health challenges including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, myasthenia gravis, epilepsy, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism. This patient-focused team helps address some of the most complex diseases of our time.

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

Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/innovative-medicine

We are seeking a highly motivated and innovative researcher to advance discovery initiatives and pipeline programs supporting the Johnson & Johnson Neuropsychiatry strategy. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research and drug development for psychiatric diseases.

Key Responsibilities:

Serve as a recognized scientific expert, independently leading major portions of complex biological research projects aligned with the Johnson & Johnson Neuropsychiatry strategy.

Partner cross-functionally to drive biology and biotechnology initiatives from strategy through execution and communication.

Design, guide, and execute complex biochemical, cellular, molecular, and translational studies; interpret data; and communicate impact, recommendations, and risks.

Ensure data integrity, documentation, laboratory safety, and compliance.

Shape departmental scientific strategy by identifying emerging biology and translating insights into actionable project plans.

Initiate and manage external collaborations with academic, CRO, and biotech partners.

Engage the scientific community through presentations, publications, and other external contributions.

Mentor junior colleagues and provide matrix supervision to build technical capability, rigor, and collaboration.

Integrate Johnson & Johnson’s Credo and Leadership Imperatives into goals, decisions, and daily interactions.

Qualifications:

PhD with 10+ years of experience in Neuroscience, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related field is required.

Required experience and skills:

Drug discovery and development experience, with strong knowledge of neuropharmacology and psychiatric disease biology.

Broad expertise in molecular and cellular biology, in vitro cell culture systems, and functional assay development.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop innovative solutions and advance project objectives.

Excellent collaboration, communication, and management skills to influence cross-functional stakeholders.

Ability to work independently and as a team member in an international, matrixed environment.

Ability to leverage AI-enabled tools to accelerate scientific insights, workflow efficiency, and data-driven decisions.

Strong sense of urgency, efficiency, flexibility, and accountability in a fast-paced research environment.

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, please contact us via https://www.jnj.com/contact-us/careers or contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

The anticipated base pay range for this position is :

$137,000.00 - $235,750.00

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 period10 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