Senior Scientist, Viral Vector Development – API RNA Modalities

Johnson & Johnson

Senior Scientist leading RNA process development to support gene therapy innovations at Johnson & Johnson. Collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize manufacturing processes and deliver scientific breakthroughs.

Posted 7/31/2026full-timeSan Diego • California, Pennsylvania • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $109,000 - $174,800 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in RNA molecule process development, including hands-on experience with AKTA Chromatography and TFF Instrumentation. Strong ability to communicate findings effectively and maintain thorough documentation while managing multiple projects independently.

Highest-signal resume keywords

RNA Molecule Process DevelopmentAKTA ChromatographyTFF InstrumentationTechnical Document WritingStatistical Methodology

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Process DevelopmentExperimental DesignData AnalysisContinuous ImprovementTechnical Reporting

Soft Skills

Excellent CommunicationProblem-SolvingOrganizational SkillsCollaboration

Industry Keywords

BiochemistryEngineeringVirologyChemistryStatistical MethodologyDesign of Experiments

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Working closely with partners, develop robust, scalable, and well characterized unit operations for USP and DSP procedures for short and long RNA molecule.
Design, execute and analyze experiments for existing and novel methods, processes, and equipment technologies.
Proactively investigates, proposes, and develops improvements to existing processes or develops new processes.
Communicate findings to a wide audience in a timely and clear fashion.
Leads continuous improvement for methods, processes and/or scientific procedures.
Maintain thorough documentation through electronic lab notebooks, technical reports, and technical presentations.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to collect data and inform experimental design.
Maintain positive relationships with internal and external partners to facilitate collaboration across functions.
Deliver reproducible and impactful results under ambitious timeline.
Work at a high level of autonomy, develop manufacturing processes of early assets.

Requirements

What you’ll need

A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, Engineering, Virology, Chemistry or related scientific discipline is required.
Advanced degree (Master’s, Ph.D.) degree preferred.
A minimum of 4-5 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor’s degree; a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience with a Master’s degree; or a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience with a PhD degree is required.
Direct process development experience with RNA molecules is required.
Hands on experience with AKTA chromatography and TFF instrumentation is required.
Experience with demonstrated record of scientific achievement associated with the implementation of innovative process technologies is preferred.
Experience writing and reviewing technical documents and familiarity with statistical methodology such as DOEs is preferred.
Experience in maintaining team-based Collaborations is required.
Must have excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills.
Must have strong problem-solving skills.
Must be highly organized and capable of managing/pursuing multiple projects independently.

Benefits

Comp & perks

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)).
This position is eligible to participate in the Company’s long-term incentive program.
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 period
10 days Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year
Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year