Postdoctoral Scholar, Translational PK; Pharmacokinetics​/PD; Pharmacodynamics and Investigative Toxicology; TPPIT

Postdoctoral Scholar, Translational PK (Pharmacokinetics)/PD (Pharmacodynamics) and Investigative Toxicology (TPPIT)

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We are searching for the best talent for a Postdoctoral Scholar, Translational PK (Pharmacokinetics)/PD (Pharmacodynamics) and Investigative Toxicology (TPPIT) to be located in La Jolla, CA.

Purpose:

The Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine Discovery, Product Development, & Supply (DPDS) Postdoctoral Fellowship Program helps early career scientists gain the training and experience needed to further their careers while addressing the needs of global healthcare. Postdocs work side-by-side with DPDS scientists on innovative research projects and have the opportunity to present and publish their work. They also learn the functional role of scientists in the pharmaceutical industry and receive valuable career advice from mentors while building a network of professional contacts and developing the skills needed to advance their careers.

The Department of Translational PK (Pharmacokinetics)/PD (Pharmacodynamics) and Investigative Toxicology (TPPIT) within Johnson&Johnson is seeking a Postdoctoral Scientist with expertise in the ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) characterization of proximity inducing degraders (e.g. PROTACs, molecular glues, Rip Tacs). This individual will join a globally distributed team of dedicated and passionate scientists and will be member of an inspiring environment where science, innovation and collaboration are key to success.

The successful candidate will lead a new translational research program focused on elucidating the barriers to oral bioavailability of proximity‑inducing therapeutics, including PROTACs, molecular glues, and RIPTACs. The primary objective of this two‑year postdoctoral project—with a potential one year extension—is to develop innovative in vitro intestinal models and evaluate formulation‑based strategies to mechanistically define the determinants of oral bioavailability and tissue permeability for these emerging modalities.

Specifically, the project aims to identify key biological and physicochemical factors that limit oral exposure of proximity‑inducing therapeutics and to establish an integrated, predictive in vitro and in silico platforms to reduce reliance on in vivo studies. The project also includes the generation of mechanistic permeability data in advanced, human‑relevant intestinal epithelial models and the evaluation of lymphatic absorption and intestinal secretion using mechanistic in vivo studies and PBPK modeling.

The final goal of the project is to define molecular descriptors and predictive design principles to guide the rational optimization of proximity‑inducing therapeutics for improved oral exposure.

• Developing translatable in vitro permeability models to mechanistically understand and improve the correlation between intrinsic permeability and fraction absorbed of PROTACs and other proximity inducing modalities.
• Evaluating the relative contribution of formulation-mediated lymphatic absorption and intestinal secretion to oral bioavailability using mechanistic in vivo studies and PBPK modeling.
• Integration of experimental data with computational modelling to identify molecular features that govern tissue permeability and enable rational design strategies for proximity-induced molecules.
• Providing interpretation of data and communicating/reporting results and recommendations to team members, key partners, and collaborators.
• Defining and shaping the TPPIT strategy for ADME characterization of proximity-inducing modalities.
• Trainings, development activities and conferences.
• Disseminating the results at internal and external meetings, and through publications in high impact journals.

Education:

• A PhD in…