Scientist, Discovery Pharmaceutics

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:

Pharmaceutical Product R&D

Job Category:

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations:

San Diego, California, United States of America

Job Description:

About Innovative Medicine:

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

We are searching for the best talent for a Scientist, Discovery Pharmaceutics located in La Jolla, CA.

Purpose:
This laboratory-based role is focused on generating high-quality data to support Discovery programs across our synthetic portfolio, including small molecules, degraders, peptides, and oligonucleotides. In this position, you will design and complete experiments, provide technical insight to Discovery teams to inform molecular design and drug delivery strategies, and support the identification and selection of appropriate solid-state forms of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

You will also develop and manufacture conventional and enabling formulations to support pharmacology, pharmacokinetic, and toxicology studies. The successful candidate will thrive in a multidisciplinary, collaborative environment and make significant contributions to innovative drug discovery programs.

You will be responsible for:

• Conduct routine and non-routine laboratory experiments, interpret data, and draw scientifically sound conclusions.
• Contribute to technical documentation and reports and maintain electronic laboratory notebooks in compliance with internal policies and quality standards.
• Proactively identify, investigate, and troubleshoot issues related to data quality, experimental procedures, or instrumentation.
• Leverage digital tools, data analytics, and computational approaches to enhance interpretation of experimental data, improve developability assessments, and accelerate decision-making in Discovery programs.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional partners.

Qualifications / Requirements:

Education:

• Minimum of a B.S. degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Analytical Sciences, or a related discipline is required

Required:

• Minimum 1 year of hands-on industry laboratory experience in formulation, preformulation, analytical testing, physicochemical characterization, or a related pharmaceutical sciences area.
• Hands-on experience with HPLC/UPLC methods for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of drug substances and formulations.
• Ability to execute assigned laboratory studies using established procedures, generate reproducible data, and identify routine technical issues with appropriate guidance
• Ability to learn quickly, follow prescribed guidelines, and contribute to straightforward research tasks within a collaborative, matrixed team environment.
• Strong attention to detail, commitment to data quality, and ability to accurately document and communicate experimental results within the immediate team.
• Ability to conduct hands-on laboratory work safely and in compliance with internal standards, procedures, and documentation expectations.
• Basic proficiency with digital tools for data capture, analysis, visualization, and electronic laboratory notebook documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across functions.

Preferred:

• Experience designing, manufacturing, and characterizing amorphous solid dispersions.
• Hands-on experience conducting small-scale crystalline form identification screens and using characterization techniques such as PXRD, DSC, TGA, and polarized light microscopy.
• Fundamental understanding of pharmaceutical science and preformulation, physicochemical properties.
• Scientific curiosity, accountability, and adaptability, with the ability to navigate evolving scientific challenges with initiative, leadership, and a strong drive to deliver results.

The anticipated base pay range for this position in the US is $76,000 to $121,000.

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.
 

Subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees and/or eligible dependents are eligible to participate in the following Company sponsored employee benefit programs: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short and long-term disability, business accident insurance, and group legal insurance.

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)).
 

Subject to the terms of their respective policies and date of hire, employees are eligible for the following time off benefits:

• Vacation –120 hours per calendar year
• Sick time - Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington – 56 hours per calendar year
• Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –13 days per calendar year
• Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year
• Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child
• Condolence Leave – 30 days for an immediate family member: 5 days for an extended family member
• Caregiver Leave – 10 days
• Volunteer Leave – 4 days
• Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours
   

For additional general information on company benefits, please go to: https://www.careers.jnj.com/employee-benefits
 

This job posting is anticipated to close on June 30, 2026.  The Company may however extend this time-period, in which case the posting will remain available on https://www.careers.jnj.com to accept additional applications.

Johnson & Johnson is an 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, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. 

Johnson & Johnson is committed to providing an interview process that is inclusive of our applicants’ needs. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation, external applicants please contact us via https://www.jnj.com/contact-us/careers, internal employees contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.

 

#LI-Onsite

Required Skills:

 

 

Preferred Skills:

 

 

The anticipated base pay range for this position is :

$76,000.00 - $121,900.00

Additional Description for Pay Transparency:

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)).

Subject to the terms of their respective policies and date of hire, employees are eligible for the following time off benefits:

Vacation –120 hours per calendar year

Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Colorado –48 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington –56 hours per calendar year

Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –13 days per calendar year

Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year

Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child

Bereavement Leave – 240 hours for an immediate family member: 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year

Caregiver Leave – 80 hours in a 52-week rolling period10 days

Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year

Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year

For additional general information on Company benefits, please go to: - https://www.careers.jnj.com/employee-benefits