Postdoctoral Scholar, Cell and Genetic Medicine

About the role

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine R&D is recruiting for a Postdoctoral Scholar, Cell and Genetic Medicine located in San Diego, CA.

Fixed-Term role - Ineligibility for severance

Principal Responsibilities

• Independently design, execute, and optimize in vitro assays to assess LNP-mediated nucleic acid tolerability, delivery and nuclear localization in relevant cellular models, including primary immune cells.
• Support the molecular design and evaluation of approaches to improve nuclear uptake, leveraging expertise in molecular and cellular biology as well as nucleic acid biochemistry or related fields.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data with scientific rigor, ensuring reproducibility and data quality.
• Contribute to lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation and optimization efforts, including formulation workflows and analytical characterization.
• Actively advance and apply LNP and analytical techniques within the project scope.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to advance project goals.
• Develop a scientific and technical skillset through project assignments, advanced training, conferences, internal meetings, and symposia in relevant areas.
• Develop in-depth knowledge of the organization’s drug discovery and preclinical/clinical development processes, programs, policies, and scientific approaches within a multidisciplinary pharmaceutical research environment.
• This postdoctoral research position will require full-time, on-site work in a BSL-2 laboratory environment.

Qualifications

• A minimum of a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Chemical Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Biophysics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related discipline is required.
• Strong foundation in molecular biology and nucleic acid biochemistry, genome editing, or related molecular systems is required.
• Demonstrated experience in in vitro assay development and cellular experimentation is required.
• Experience working with mammalian cell systems is required.
• Demonstrated interest in expanding into nanoparticle delivery systems (e.g., LNPs) and associated analytical techniques is required.
• Prior exposure to lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation, nucleic acid delivery systems, or nanoparticle characterization is preferred.
• Familiarity with analytical techniques relevant to nanoparticle systems (e.g., size, encapsulation, or physicochemical characterization) is preferred.
• Experience with HPLC or related analytical methods is preferred.
• Experience with bioconjugation or targeted delivery approaches is preferred.
• Knowledge of CRISPR-based genome editing or targeted integration workflows is preferred.
• Proven ability to independently design and execute experiments with minimal supervision and limited hands-on training is required.

Required Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Creative problem-solving skills.
• Strong data analysis and experimental design skills.
• High level of self-motivation, ownership, and scientific rigor in a research environment.

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of CRISPR-based genome editing or targeted integration workflows is preferred.
• Experience with HPLC or related analytical methods is preferred.
• Experience with bioconjugation or targeted delivery approaches is preferred.
• Familiarity with analytical techniques relevant to nanoparticle systems (e.g., size, encapsulation, or physicochemical characterization) is preferred.
• Prior exposure to lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation, nucleic acid delivery systems, or nanoparticle characterization is preferred.