Principal Scientist In Silico Disc in Beerse, Belgium

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine is recruiting for a Principal Scientist, Discovery Data Science to help advance Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) for Drug Discovery. The preferred location for this position is our R&D site in Beerse, Belgium. Consideration may be given to candidates located near other R&D sites in Spring House, PA or La Jolla, California. The position offers hybrid work.

Our expertise in Innovative Medicine is informed and inspired by patients, whose insights fuel our science-based advancements. Visionaries like you work on teams that save lives by developing the medicines of tomorrow. Join us in developing treatments, finding cures, and pioneering the path from lab to life while championing patients every step of the way. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/innovative-medicine

Within Janssen R&D, the Therapeutics Discovery organization is continuing to build the key scientific expertise to bring ground-breaking new medicines to patients; we invest in medicinal chemistry, screening, and pharmacology, and in the computational and data science fields that inspire and inform them.

Many aspects of the drug discovery process are being partially virtualized: modelling methodologies, prescreen of existing or virtual molecules for relevant properties, and focusing experimental bandwidth to make and test those molecules that hold the most promise.

The Principal Scientist will invent, internalize, and apply creative yet scientifically sound data science solutions to virtually assess molecules in the broadest possible sense. The position’s scope includes methodological innovation as well as crafting data generation, acquisition, and alliance strategies.

The successful candidate will be actively involved in method development and project support in collaboration with data scientist, computational small molecule scientists, assay development scientists and medicinal chemists, project biologists, toxicology and pharmacokinetics and IT colleagues.

Key responsibilities include:

• Contribute to developing data science applications with a focus on small molecules, peptides across different therapeutic areas.

• Bridge between experimental and groundbreaking digital technologies, expertise in machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) as applied to drug discovery.

• Interact in a team environment built on trust and collegiality.

• Communicate effectively and encourage colleagues to do so.

• Evaluate and make recommendations regarding the internalization, conceptualization and development of building of innovative technologies.

• Impact sound application of science within the company and beyond.

• Publish in peer-reviewed journals and present at scientific meetings

Qualifications

Qualifications

• PhD in data science or computational science, or other drug discovery related fields, with expert level training in data science, AI/ML and other in silico related work aligned to drug discovery is required.

• At least 3 years of experience applying data science and technology in an industry facing drug design setting is required.

• Experience working with data analytics, predictive modeling, small molecule design and optimization is required.

• Experience in optimization of small molecule beyond rule of five molecule discovery is preferred.

• Experience in small molecule optimization with drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) parameters is required.

• Experience with Python, PyTorch, Keras, Tensorflow is required.

• Experience with data visualization, feature development, large language models, generative methods, is preferred.

• Self-motivation, proactivity, team spirit, enthusiasm, confidence and dedication are required.

• Experience with working in a cross-functional or matrixed team environment is required.

• Track record of planning and delivering on complex projects with a robust scientific footing is a plus.

• Strong publication record is preferred.

Optionally, the position title commensurate with alternative experience level.

Johnson & Johnson is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. Candidates will be eligible for compensation and benefits in accordance with their local market. The Company maintains highly competitive, performance-based compensation programs. Under current guidelines, this position is eligible for an annual performance bonus in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan. The annual performance bonus is a cash bonus intended to provide an incentive to achieve annual targeted results by rewarding for individual and the corporation’s performance over a calendar/performance year. Bonuses are awarded at the Company’s discretion on an individual basis.