Senior Scientist, CAR Screening & Lead Selection

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 jnj.com

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.

Job Function:

Discovery & Pre-Clinical/Clinical Development

Job Sub Function:

Biotherapeutics R&D

Job Category:

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations:

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America

Job Description:

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 jnj.com.

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.

We are searching for the best Senior Scientist, CAR Screening and Lead Selection (CSLS), Cell & Genetic Medicines, based in Cambridge, MA.

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Scientist to join our CAR Screening and Lead Selection team focused on advancing next-generation cell therapies. The Senior Scientist will design, execute, and analyze in vitro assays to characterize and select CAR-T candidates, supporting data-driven decisions that drive pipeline progression across modalities. This role offers the opportunity to work cross-functionally in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with cutting-edge technologies.

The ideal candidate demonstrates strong scientific curiosity and a passion for discovery, brings technical expertise across diverse in vitro assays, and is motivated to apply rigorous experimental approaches toward the development of meaningful therapeutics.

Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to advancing pipeline programs by generating assays and data sets that stratify lead CAR-T candidates.
• Design, perform, and troubleshoot in vitro assays to evaluate the phenotype and function of CAR-T cell candidates, including cell-based cytotoxicity assays.
• Thorough analysis and communication of complex data sets, applying results towards determining next-step strategies and troubleshooting.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues in discovery, process development, and therapeutic area SMEs to align priorities and share data.
• Contribute to broader team experimental designs, scientific strategy discussions and provide guidance and support to junior team members.
• Follow best practice lab operations for safety, data integrity, and reproducibility.
• Maintain clear and accurate records of experimental design, data, and analysis using electronic lab notebook (ELN).

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in immunology, bioengineering, cell biology, or a related field with 2+ years of relevant industry or postdoctoral experience; non-PhDs with 5+ years of experience in biopharmaceutical or biotech working in cell therapy.
• Hands-on experience and expertise with multiparameter flow cytometry (traditional and/or spectral), including panel design, sample preparation, acquisition, and data analysis.
• Independent expertise in data analysis and visual representations using GraphPad Prism, Spotfire or similar software.

• Ability to independently design and execute complex in vitro studies with limited guidance.
• Self-motivated, highly organized, and able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced discovery environment.

• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to independently drive projects while working collaboratively.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with primary human T cell culture, expansion, and genetic engineering (viral transduction and/or non-viral gene editing).
• Proficiency in IncuCyte-based assays or comparable real-time cytotoxicity platforms.
• Experience with intracellular cytokine staining and cytokine arrays, such as MSD or comparable.
• Demonstrated expertise using ELN systems for experimental documentation, experience with Benchling is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

…