Principal Scientist, Gene Therapy Innovation

Company: Disability Solutions
Location: San Diego
Posted on: April 20, 2024

Job Description:

Janssen Research & Development, L.L.C., a division of Johnson & Johnson's Family of Companies is recruiting for a Principal Scientist, Gene Therapy Innovation to be located in La Jolla, CA. 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 . The Principal Scientist, Gene Therapy Innovation position in the RNA, Gene Therapy and Delivery Group (RGTD) offers an exciting opportunity to help develop novel Gene Therapies for unmet medical needs. We are investigating the use of Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) vectors to deliver novel genetic therapies to patients for disease prevention and treatment, spanning multiple disease areas including ophthalmological, neurological, cardiovascular, and many others. We are seeking a highly driven, experienced researcher to tackle challenges associated with how our therapeutic gene therapy molecules interface with novel platforms and new technologies. This individual will lead all discovery-level innovation (from optimization to troubleshooting) for developing AAV therapeutics. This role would support advanced analytical methods of characterization as well as overcoming challenges that emerge as we begin to develop next generation molecules in the context of new USP/DSP technologies and novel analytical methods of characterization. While the field remains in its frontier phase, development of first-in-class gene therapy molecules is essential to remain competitive. This is a critical, lab-facing role: the ideal candidate will have a proven track record of resolving challenges related to AAV development and manufacturing, as well as broad hands-on expertise in AAV production and advanced analytical methods. This role will provide essential support for AAV discovery and early development activities across the greater R&D organization. Primary responsibilities:

• Resolve challenge associated with how AAV gene therapy molecules interface with novel platforms and technologies introduced into our drug development process.
• Evaluate and implement process optimizations across the entire vector production process
• Characterize AAV using advanced analytical methods for assessing packaging efficiency, heterogeneity, genomic integrity, and infectivity, as well as evaluating serotype-specific capsid properties
• Evaluate and implement analytical method optimization --- Stays ahead of the gene therapy field by exploring and evaluating new processes and methodologies to ensure we remain on the leading edge of innovation
  • Execute research timelines to meet program and corporate objectives
  • Contribute to a collaborative, creative, and rigorous culture of scientific discovery --- Provide rapid and versatile problem-solving support for the gene therapy group --- Report to the Director of AAV GT Discovery Emerging Platforms

Keywords: Disability Solutions, National City , Principal Scientist, Gene Therapy Innovation, Healthcare , San Diego, California