Senior Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry

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

Job Function:

Discovery & Pre-Clinical/Clinical Development

Job Sub Function:

Chemical Research

Job Category:

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations:

San Diego, California, United States of America

Job Description:

About Innovative Medicine

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

We are searching for the best talent for a Senior Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry to be located in San Diego, CA.

Purpose:

The Discovery Sciences group is committed to the delivery of high-quality drug candidates working with all six Janssen Therapeutic Areas (TAs). This mission requires deep scientific expertise in a number of 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 a Senior Scientist, Discovery Chemistry. This position will be based at our drug discovery site in La Jolla, CA.

We are seeking experienced medicinal chemists with outstanding organic synthesis expertise to advance small molecule drug discovery programs toward the clinic, with a focus on generating therapeutics employing targeted degradation strategies. This individual will be a key member of a dynamic and collaborative cross-functional team developing a targeted protein degrader and ubiquitin ligase platform across Janssen. In this laboratory-based position, the successful candidate will partner with both internal and external medicinal chemistry teams to generate innovative solutions to synthetic and medicinal chemistry challenges within the context of both traditional small molecule and targeted protein degrader-based drug discovery projects. She/he will maintain close interactions with computer assisted design scientists, biologists, pharmacologists, and pharmaceutical development scientists. Strong people skills and the ability to thrive in a team and goal driven environment are key attributes. 

You Will Be Responsible For:

• Maintaining a high level of productivity in the laboratory setting
• Design and synthesis of chimeric targeted degraders and related resources to enable both general platform and individual program advancement
• Developing and executing clear synthetic strategies towards complex molecules using state-of-the-art synthetic methodologies
• Independently designing and synthesizing drug-like molecules utilizing medicinal chemistry knowledge and an understanding of ADME, pharmacokinetics and optimal physicochemical properties
• Collaboratively supporting the advancement of compounds through in vitro and in vivo studies to identify development candidates
• Collaboration with structure-based design groups to impact rational design of molecules
• Generating novel, testable hypotheses to enable clear decision making
• Contributing to defining scientific strategies and goals within a project team setting
• Presenting data and reports on project status at individual, group, and departmental meetings
• Drafting, executing and serving as lead author on research published in peer reviewed journals, and presenting work at scientific conferences

Qualifications:

• PhD in synthetic organic or medicinal chemistry is required with at least 3 years of experience at a pharmaceutical company in medicinal chemistry, performing progressively advanced duties beyond the Scientist level 
• Postdoctoral experience is preferred 
• Strong track record of achievement in the synthesis of complex molecules and/or synthetic methodology development, with deep knowledge of modern synthetic & analytical techniques.
• Proven track record of scientific contributions including peer reviewed publications, patents and presentations.
• Experience with computational chemistry methods and biophysical techniques such as X-ray crystallography is preferred
• Independent thinking and the ability to effectively collaborate in a highly matrixed environment.
• Experience with targeted protein degrader based medicinal chemistry programs is preferred
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including preparation of presentations.
• Up to 5% travel is required.

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 and 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 email the Employee Health Support Center  (ra-employeehealthsup@its.jnj.com) or contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.
 

The anticipated base pay range for this position is :

$105,000 to $169,050

Additional Description For Pay Transparency:

The Company maintains highly competitive, performance-based compensation programs. Under current guidelines, this position is eligible for an annual performance bonus in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan. The annual performance bonus is a cash bonus intended to provide an incentive to achieve annual targeted results by rewarding for individual and the corporation’s performance over a calendar/performance year. Bonuses are awarded at the Company’s discretion on an individual basis. Employees and/or eligible dependents may be eligible to participate in the following Company sponsored employee benefit programs: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, business accident insurance, and group legal insurance. Employees may be eligible to participate in the Company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)). Employees are eligible for the following time off benefits: Vacation – up to 120 hours per calendar year Sick time - up to 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington – up to 56 hours per calendar year Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays – up to 13 days per calendar year of Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year Additional information can be found through the link below. https://www.careers.jnj.com/employee-benefits The compensation and benefits information set forth in this posting applies to candidates hired in the United States. Candidates hired outside the United States will be eligible for compensation and benefits in accordance with their local market.