Principal Scientist, Peptide Early Portfolio and Platform (PEPP) Lead – Global Discovery Chemistry - 2406181678WDescriptionJohnson & Johnson is recruiting for a Principal Scientist, Peptide Early Portfolio and Platform (PEPP) Lead – Global Discovery Chemistry, located in Spring House, PA.About Johnson & JohnsonAt 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/.Global Discovery Chemistry is an integral and growing part of the Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine Therapeutics Discovery (TD) organization, which is committed to the delivery of high-quality drug candidates in partnership with all Therapeutic Area (TA) discovery organizations. The Therapeutics Discovery (TD) organization’s 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 organizations, including the discovery facing development teams Discovery Product Research (DPR) and Developability.Building on a strong legacy of success, we are currently recruiting an outstanding individual to join our Spring House, Pennsylvania, based team as Peptide Early Portfolio and Platform (PEPP) Lead, Global Discovery Chemistry – a role that offers tremendous growth opportunity within a dynamic and science-driven organization. Located in suburban Philadelphia, the Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine Spring House campus sits at the heart of the thriving mid-Atlantic biopharmaceutical belt, offering easy access to some of nation’s premiere educational, research, and medical centers of excellence.We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated chemist with extensive peptide chemistry knowledge, mRNA display peptide discovery platform and medicinal chemistry expertise to lead our Peptide Early Portfolio and Platform (PEPP) team in Global Discovery Chemistry. This position will require the candidate to possess and leverage deep knowledge and capabilities to discover differentiated peptides for J&J targets within our Disease and Pathway Area Stronghold (DAS and PAS) strategy. Using a mix of internal and external resources, the incumbent will partner with key stakeholders in the Therapeutic Areas, Discovery Technology and Molecular Pharmacology (DTMP) and other internal groups, represent medicinal chemistry, lead cross-functional mRNA display peptide discovery platform, and be co-responsible for target selection, design of screening, mRNA display screen, hits resynthesis and optimization with Hit-to-Lead entry as the deliverable.Candidates with deep expertise in peptide hit identification platforms including phage and mRNA display, optimization using state-of-the-art peptide synthetic chemistry and computational methods are encouraged to apply. Candidates with experience in advancing peptide programs from hits to preclinical candidate and various peptide drug delivery strategies are preferred.Responsibilities of the Principal Scientist, PEPP Lead will include:
Co-lead J&J’s peptide hit identification platform to deliver chemical matters for J&J pipeline targets.
Develop and execute our strategies on continued innovations on display platform technologies.
Participate in early peptide portfolio and stage-gate reviews.
Leverage AI/ML in peptide hit identification workflow to improve screening outcome.
Leverage the synergies between peptide display platform and other affinity-based screening platforms, such as DNA-encoded library technology, to increase the hit-finding successes.
As a project leader, develop and implement medicinal chemistry strategies for peptide drug discovery programs in early hits expansion and optimization, working in concert with partners in molecular and cellular biology, pharmacology, computational chemistry, ADME, structural biology, and other key functions to progress programs to Hit-to-Lead stage.
Develop and apply innovative mRNA display approaches and methods in H2L/LO programs to accelerate Design-Make-Test-Analyze cycles.
Anticipate, identify, and problem-solve issues both independently and collaboratively to advance the program and deliver on objectives.
Excellent communication skills to foster effective partnerships that include effective goal setting and delegation of work among the team.
Supervise and direct synthetic chemistry activities internally and/or at contract research organizations (CROs).
Serve as a scientific expert peptide discovery chemistry with both internal and external partners and provide recommendations regarding new targets and emerging external opportunities.
Ensure optimal interaction/communication and provide updates on project status to TA and Discovery leadership.
Qualifications
Minimum of MS with 12 years of experience or PhD in synthetic or medicinal chemistry with 6 years is required.
A minimum of 6 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry with a proven track record of innovative contributions to peptide platform technologies, hit discovery or candidate selection.
Broad experience and proven accomplishments in peptide chemistry, with operational skills for managing platform and/or discovery programs.
Proven track record of scientific contributions to projects is required, preferably supported by patent inventorship and primary/co-authorship of publications and presentations.
Ability to integrate multiple R&D disciplines into a successful strategic project plan.
Demonstration of creative problem-solving skills that impact project objectives.
Demonstrated influence, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills, including the ability to succeed within a matrix environment are required. Mentoring talent and contributions towards building a high performing organization are essential.
Up to 10 - 20% travel both domestically and internationally may be required.
Experience with the following areas of peptide chemistry is highly desired:
Peptide hit finding approaches, such as phage display, mRNA display.
Demonstrated ability to accelerate peptide hits to leads with peptide optimization (e.g. affinity, stability, permeability) and modeling (e.g. side chain and backbone design, conformational, and SAR analysis).
Applying novel synthetic methods including macrocyclization and late-stage functionalization is preferred.
AI / ML approaches to peptide discovery is preferred
Primary Location NA-US-Pennsylvania-Spring HouseOrganization Janssen Research & Development, LLC (6084)Job Function Chemical ResearchReq ID: 2406181678W