Principal Scientist, Global Investigative Pathobiology

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:

Nonclinical Safety

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 Principal Scientist, Global Investigative Pathobiology to be onsite in La Jolla, CA.
 

Purpose:
 
We are seeking a highly motivated Principal Scientist to join our global network of Investigative Pathobiology Laboratories (IPL) in a dual role, with a primary focus on scientific leadership in the IPL. The Principal Scientist will 1) be a strong scientific leader and individual contributor in our global IPL and 2) be a PSTS delegate key member and active contributor to the cross disciplinary San Diego External Innovation Council (EIC).
 

As part of the IPL, the Principal Scientist will also join a team of highly experienced scientists to design and execute studies, as an individual contributor and matrix leader, using cutting-edge molecular pathology tools to answer important questions required to advance the internal portfolio. The incumbent will work closely with other Pathobiology representatives (target anatomic and clinical pathologists, immunotoxicologists) in support of the Preclinical Sciences and Translational Safety (PSTS) Teams and the portfolio. As part of the EIC, the Principal Scientist will engage with the San Diego innovation ecosystem through attendance at and collaborative organization of scientific conferences and other mechanisms of information sharing, strengthen collaboration between Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine (JJIM) and early-stage San Diego biotech companies, including those at JLABS, increase internal awareness of external innovation opportunities in the San Diego area,  and provide scientific input on potential external partnerships. The Principal Scientist will have a strong background in drug development, molecular biology and pathology, and external innovation. The ideal candidate has exceptional communication skills, is a highly motivated, self-driven, and resourceful critical thinker, is intellectually curious and will thrive in a dynamic, matrixed, multidisciplinary and collaborative environment.

You Will Be Responsible For:

• Contribute to advancement of the J&J pipeline through lab-based investigative pathobiology projects
• Design, development, implementation, and interpretation of molecular pathology assays with minimal supervision, including single/multiplex IHC and ISH
• Provision of tissue-based investigative plans, including strategic deployment of image analysis, digital pathology, and spatial omics in coordination with the global IPL network and scientists
• Evaluation of tissue-based target expression profile (TEP) in nonclinical species and humans
• Providing direction and guidance for integration of TEP into target risk assessments
• Communicating project-related plans and deliverables to stakeholders
• Actively participating in the JJIM San Diego External Innovation Council (EIC) as a standing cross-functional representative of Preclinical Sciences & Translational Safety (PSTS)
• Attending EIC meetings and act as a PSTS ambassador internally and externally
• Contributing to planning of and participation in externally facing sponsored conferences, speaking engagements, and other events that increase collaboration within the San Diego innovation ecosystem
• Building and expanding your local life sciences network aligned with strategy to increase J&Js presence
• Proactively identifying key areas for investment in the local region and evaluating potential partnerships from a scientific point of view to identify gaps and opportunities aligned with internal strategy
• Proactively sharing information (e.g., between PSTS and EIC), making recommendations aligned to internal strategy and objectives, and serving as a contributor to key initiatives through active participation.

Qualifications / Requirements:

Education:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree is required
• D.V.M., M.D., M.S., or Ph.D. in toxicology, molecular biology, pathology, medicine or related biomedical field is highly preferred 

Required:

• Minimum 6-8 years of experience in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry and/or in an academic setting
• Deep understanding of molecular pathology techniques, including IHC and ISH as well as image analysis
• Strong scientific acumen with ability to evaluate problems from a “systems biology” and translational lens
• Strong understanding of the drug development process
• Exceptional critical thinking, interpersonal, diplomacy, troubleshooting, communication, and negotiating skills
• Highly organized and detail oriented

Preferred:

• Experience in nonclinical safety evaluation of candidate medicines (e.g. as a project team representative)
• Experience on due diligence teams/in business development 

The anticipated base pay range for this position in the US is $115,000 to $197,800.

 

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
• Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year

For additional general information on company benefits, please go to: https://www.careers.jnj.com/employee-benefits

This job posting is anticipated to close on October 9, 2025.  The Company may however extend this time-period, in which case the posting will remain available on https://www.careers.jnj.com to accept additional applications.
 

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

#Li-Onsite

The anticipated base pay range for this position is :

$115,000-197,800

Additional Description For Pay Transparency:

Subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees and/or eligible dependents are 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. 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)). This position is eligible to participate in the Company’s long-term incentive program. 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 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 Condolence Leave – 30 days for an immediate family member: 5 days for an extended family member Caregiver Leave – 10 days Volunteer Leave – 4 days Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours  Additional information can be found through the link below.  https://www.careers.jnj.com/employee-benefits