Senior Principal Scientist Pharmacology

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.

Please note that this role is available across multiple countries and may be posted under different requisition numbers to comply with local requirements. While you are welcome to apply to any or all of the postings, we recommend focusing on the specific country(s) that align with your preferred location(s):

Belgium R-087821, United States of America R-108326

Remember, whether you apply to one or all of these requisition numbers, your applications will be considered as a single submission.

Job Function:

Discovery & Pre-Clinical/Clinical Development

Job Sub Function:

Pharmacology

Job Category:

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations:

Spring House, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Job Description:

Position Title

Senior Principal Scientist Pharmacology

3Rs Portfolio Innovation and External Engagement

Location

Beerse, Belgium or Spring House, US.

Role Summary

The Sr. Principal Scientist & SIS Scientific Lead is a senior scientific role within Scientific & In Vivo Strategies (SIS), responsible for driving the identification and enablement of 3Rs innovation opportunities into the discovery and preclinical portfolio, including new approach methodologies (NAMs).

Operating within the enterprise 3Rs framework and aligned with Discovery, Product Development & Supply (DPDS), PSTS (Preclinical Safety and Translational Sciences), and SIS strategic priorities, this role brings deep NAMs expertise (i.e., refined in vivo , ex vivo , complex in vitro  models (CIVMs)/microphysiological systems (MPS)/organoids, and/or in silico approaches) to enable portfolio‑relevant 3Rs innovation that strengthens discovery and preclinical assessment and improves preclinical-to-clinical translatability while advancing 3Rs objectives.  The individual will serve as a NAMs subject‑matter expert for SIS, DPDS, and Therapeutic Area stakeholders, ensuring that both internal and external NAM opportunities are identified and evaluated through portfolio‑relevant, translational, and regulatory‑aligned perspectives.

Primary Responsibilities:

NAMs Scientific Engagement and Portfolio Integration:

Engage with fellow SIS Scientific Leads and  stakeholders to identify and evaluate ex vivo , in vitro , and in silico (in partnership with data science colleagues) NAM opportunities relevant to discovery and development programs

Provide subject-matter expert-level guidance on applicability, strengths, limitations and readiness of NAMs within specific disease, modality and contexts of use

Drive relevant incorporation of NAMs into program strategies, ensuring alignment with portfolio goals, scientific rigor and the broader enterprise 3Rs innovation framework

External NAMs Landscape and Regulatory Awareness:

Maintain active awareness of the external NAMs landscape, including academic advances, emerging platforms and biotech innovations

Evaluate external NAM developments in the context of scientific maturity, translational relevance, and evolving global regulatory perspectives (e.g., FDA, EMA, ICH, etc.)

Translate external and regulatory signals into clear, balanced scientific insights to inform on current NAMs integration opportunities as well as to anticipate future state

Internal Capability Enablement:

Liaison with fellow SIS Scientific Leads as well as internal functional and therapeutic area teams to assess existing NAM capabilities and gaps, relative to portfolio needs and regulatory expectations

Inform prioritization of NAM development/evaluation and validation efforts based on scientific value-add, feasibility and anticipated regulatory acceptance

Support development of internal guidance to enable confident and consistent application of NAMs

Scientific Collaboration and Communication:

Serve as a scientific thought partner to drive project teams to consider 3Rs innovation/NAM-enabled approaches

Contribute to internal scientific reviews, forums and working groups focused on 3Rs/NAMs innovation

Support external scientific publications, presentations and internal communications that strengthen credibility and understanding of NAM-based strategies

Domestic and international travel may be required; up to 10%.

May perform other duties and matrix manage team members as assigned.

Education-Minimum Qualification

Ph.D. in bioengineering, biomedical engineering, pharmacology, toxicology, systems biology or a related discipline with a concentration in Oncology

5+ years postdoctoral experience, preferably in a pharma or biotech setting, focused on NAMs-related platform development (i.e., CIVM/MPS, etc.) within oncology R&D

Understanding of pharmaceutical R&D governance frameworks

Excellent communication, facilitation, and leadership skills.

Required Skills

Oncology therapeutic area expertise/experience

Demonstrated expertise integrating models across the NAMs categorical landscape (i.e., combining ex vivo, in vitro/CIVM/MPS, in chemico, and/or in silico approaches) to enable advanced physio- and pathophysiological relevance at scale

Demonstrated expertise applying human-relevant models in drug discovery and/or preclinical research contexts

Track record of scientific innovation or publication in NAMs-relevant field

Ability to critically assess emerging technologies/platforms within the context of pharma R&D needs and the external global regulatory landscape and clearly communicate implications to stakeholders

Expertise in basic pharmacology concepts and experience in relevant data analysis best practices and software/tools

Demonstrated leadership on drafting of scientific publications, internal reports and/or technical presentations

People and research project management experience

Proven effectiveness working with cross-functional scientific and data science stakeholders

Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional initiatives in a matrixed environment.

Experience interfacing with external technology developers and/or academic collaborators

Preferred Skills

Experience managing and implementing organizational change

General awareness of nonclinical safety and drug development concepts

Familiarity with global regulatory agency considerations relevant to NAM acceptance

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

Clinical Data Management, Drug Discovery Development, Innovation, Leadership, Pharmacodynamics, Pharmacology, Pharmacometrics, Pharmacovigilance, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Product Management, Research Documents, Risk Management, Scientific Research, Tactical Planning