Director, Protein Sciences

Director, Protein Sciences

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine R&D is recruiting for a Director, Protein Sciences. This position is a hybrid role and can be located in Spring House, PA or Cambridge, MA.

The Director, Protein Sciences will integrate target biology insight, computational protein design, cell engineering, and experimental protein sciences to drive the generation of high‑quality immunogens and screening reagents. As a key member in the Antibody Discovery Group, this position will play a central role in evaluating novel protein targets, including mining and interpreting public‑domain data, and applying innovative structural and computational tools to inform antigen design strategies and deliver reagents for hit generation campaigns.

The Director will contribute to multiple aspects of antibody discovery in a globally‑integrated research environment, with responsibility spanning from early target assessment through reagent generation and discovery enablement. This role represents a critical function within a dynamic Biologics Discovery organization committed to delivering next‑generation biotherapeutics to patients.

We are seeking a scientifically thorough and collaborative leader who can work across discovery teams to drive impact across a diverse portfolio of innovative drug concepts. Success will require the ability to operate effectively within a highly coordinated, fast‑paced environment, while contributing both strategically and hands‑on to program advancement.

Target Assessment and Antigen Strategy

Lead Evaluation Of Therapeutic Targets, Including

• Structural, sequence, and domain architecture analysis
• Integration of internal and external data (literature, databases, structural repositories)

Define antigen and engineered‑cell design strategies to support antibody discovery:

• Construct design and domain selection
• Epitope exposure and conformational state optimization
• Strategies for difficult targets (e.g. multi‑pass membrane proteins) including Nanodisc technology and nucleic acid immunogen design

Protein Design & Engineering

Apply Computational And Structural Biology Approaches To Protein Design

• Homology modeling, structural analysis, and rational mutagenesis
• Integration of emerging AI/ML‑based protein design tools

Engineer Proteins To Improve

• Stability and expression
• Functional relevance for discovery assays and immunization

• A minimum of a Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Structural Biology, Protein Engineering, or a related discipline is required.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in biologics discovery or protein sciences is required.
• Demonstrated leadership experience within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry is required.
• Strong knowledge in the following is required: antigen design and generation for antibody discovery; structural biology and protein sequence analysis; biologics discovery workflows from target to lead identification.
• Experience or domain knowledge in Oncology, Immunology, and/or Neuroscience is preferred.
• People management experience is preferred.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be strategic with a strong scientific mindset.
• The ability to operate effectively within a highly coordinated, fast‑paced matrix environment is required.

• Analytical Reasoning, Biochemistry, Business Savvy, Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Control (CMC), Clinical Research and Regulations, Clinical Trial Designs, Compliance Management, Developing Others, Drug Discovery Development, Inclusive Leadership, Leadership, Molecular Diagnostics, Operational Excellence, Pharmacovigilance, Process Improvements, Productivity Planning, Product Strategies, Program Management, Scientific Research, Stakeholder Management

The anticipated base pay range for this position is: $ - $

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.

• Vacation – 120 hours per calendar year
• Sick time – 40 hours per calendar year; for…