Sr. Senior Scientist – Computational Protein Design Biocatalysis

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 https://www.jnj.com

Job Function:

Discovery & Pre-Clinical/Clinical Development

Job Sub Function:

Chemical Research

Job Category:

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations:

Beerse, Antwerp, Belgium

Job Description:

Sr. Senior Scientist – Computational Protein Design Biocatalysis   

Company Profile

Caring for the world, one person at a time, inspires and unites the people of Johnson & Johnson. We embrace innovation—bringing ideas, products, and services to life to advance the health and well-being of people around the world. We believe in collaboration which has led to breakthrough after breakthrough, from medical miracles that have changed lives, to the simple consumer products that make every day a little better. Our over 125,000 employees in 60 countries are united in a common mission: To help people everywhere live longer, healthier, happier lives.

The Janssen campus in Antwerp (Belgium) has a unique ecosystem covering the complete drug discovery and development life cycle, with all capabilities from basic science to market access on one campus. The integrated environment of our campus gives our people the chance to experience many different aspects of drug development throughout their career. It has a successful track record of over sixty years of drug discovery and development and is one of the most important innovation engines of the Janssen group worldwide.

The department of Chemical Process Research & Development (CPRD) focuses on the development of synthetic methodologies and processes for small molecules, oligonucleotides, peptides and other emerging modalities. We currently have an open position in the CPRD High Throughput Experimentation group for a passionate Sr. Scientist computational protein design supporting the enzyme engineering efforts within our biocatalysis group.

Job description

As a Sr. Scientist you will leverage your expertise in computational chemistry and data science to support our protein design efforts within the biocatalysis group. In this role you will lead the bioinformatics and molecular modelling activities for enzyme design within the CPRD biocatalysis group driving our in-silico protein engineering efforts and data management strategy. Your work will enable a data-driven and predictive modelling approach contributing to enzyme panel curation, protein engineering and enzyme design.  You will be developing modelling strategies, databases and data management pipelines for data capture, curation and visualization. This function will closely align and collaborate with the wet-lab scientists in the biocatalysis team and the different in-silico chemistry, chemistry and engineering functions within the broader organization. Your work will have a direct impact on innovation and efficiency from early discovery through to process development.

Experience and skills

• PhD in computational chemistry, molecular modelling, bioinformatics or related subjects (e.g. chemistry, chemical biology, computer science, or data science)
• Hands-on experience with computational tools for protein modelling, structure-based design, and sequence analysis.
• Strong expertise in protein structure analysis and in-silico design of proteins
• Understanding of biocatalysis and protein engineering workflows
• Expertise in protein sequence analysis and evolution and use of e.g; AlphaFold, MOE, Rosetta, …
• Experience with statistical analysis and data management
• Familiarity with Machine Learning and AI techniques applied to protein design
• Ability to develop internal and external network of contacts and collaborators across functions, sites, and scientific disciplines.
• Proven track record of scientific excellence and successful research supported by peer-reviewed publications.
• Excellent scientific communication, including the ability to present complex data science concepts to diverse audiences.

Key Behaviors

• We strongly believe that the best science comes out of strong collaboration. Collaborative attitude to work in a multidisciplinary team with different backgrounds (education, gender, nationality, …) is a must!
• Passionate to work in the lab in close collaboration with other team members.
• Displays critical thinking and creativity in problem solving.
• Proactive in finding opportunities for improvement and open attitude towards new approaches.
• Mentors and develop colleagues in own areas of expertise and acts as a role model for others.
• Can challenge the status quo in a constructive manner.
• Excellent teammate which fosters new ideas and can create an inclusive atmosphere.

Our offer

• An exciting position in an international and dynamic environment with continuous learning and growth opportunities.
• 38 days of holiday and flexible work arrangements.
• An attractive remuneration package with additional benefit packages (family) hospital insurance, company car and other health care incentives.
• An inclusive team environment where diversity and different opinions are respected and valued, and the importance of a good work-life balance is recognized.