Research And Development Scientist

Hours: 40 hours/week (100% FTE preferred, 80% / 4 days/week considered)

Imagine your next project driving ground-breaking in vivo and in vitro research in interventional oncology to help alter the course of lung cancer and transform lives at an iconic global healthcare company.

At Johnson & Johnson, we are working to build a world without disease by transforming lives and finding new and better ways to treat and cure disease. We bring together the best minds and pursue the most promising science, collaborating with the world for the health of everyone in it. Interventional oncology, a cross-sector initiative, is charged by the Executive Committee of J&J to alter the course of lung cancer and improve survival by preventing, intercepting, and curing lung cancer.

As part of a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team of 16 scientists in exploratory immuno-oncology, this role plays a key part in the evaluation and understanding of new drug concepts in vitro and in vivo. The scientist is responsible for managing daily tasks independently based on project needs and experience level, carrying out active hands‑on in vivo study execution and conducting associated cell culture/in vitro work in integrated workflows within a high‑performing, fast‑paced environment with high standards and training provided. Equipment setup requires Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), and no travel is required.

roles and responsibilities

• Perform active, hands‑on in vivo experimentation (70% of time), including tumour implantation, compound dosing, tumour measurement, health monitoring, and data collection and analyses.
• Assist with execution, interpretation, and reporting for in vivo tumour model studies to analyse the efficacy of both intra‑tumoral and systemic interventions.
• Conduct in vitro human and ex vivo mouse immunology experiments (15% of time) to support the ongoing immuno‑oncology portfolio, including co‑culture assays and integrated workflows.
• Maintain detailed and organized experimental records and stay compliant on all relevant internal and external training requirements (10% of time).
• Attend meetings with the extended team (5% of time), including contact with members of the INTO and supporting team for experimental planning, setup, data overview, and conclusion making, as well as contact with SIS and vets for experiments and animal wellbeing, and limited external contact with suppliers for virtual or on‑site trainings.
• Perform day‑to‑day or infrequent lab tasks, such as lab cleaning, supply inventory keeping, following appropriate trainings, unpacking orders and shipments, training new colleagues, and reviewing the proper operation and maintenance of current laboratory equipment and analytical instruments.

how to succeed

• A Master's degree in biomedical sciences, Biotechnology, Biology, Genetic Engineering, Biochemistry, Laboratory Sciences, or related disciplines; OR a Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences (such as Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Tumour Immunology) with a minimum of 6 months of laboratory‑based experience in industry, biotech, or an academic setting. Open to entry‑level profiles (with Master's thesis animal work experience) through to experienced profiles.
• Mandatory completion of laboratory animal research training courses accredited by the Federation of Laboratory Animal Science Associations (FELASA category B or C certificate) or similar foreign certification.
• Required hands‑on experience with animal handling in oncology‑relevant rodent models, including subcutaneous and orthotopic tumour implantation techniques, compound dosing, tumour measurement, health monitoring, and data collection and analysis.
• Required hands‑on experience with drug administration by subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intravenous tail vein injections, and oral gavage.
• Required hands‑on experience with blood collection by tail vein, saphenous vein, and cardiac puncture, as well as performing animal autopsy/dissection, microsurgery, perfusion, and tissue collection.
• Required experience with adherence to animal welfare and compliance regulations.
• Cell culture experience, including experience with cell culture of cancer or immune cells, is preferred.
• Strong data analysis and data management skills are preferred.
• Preferred knowledge of molecular biology techniques and a background in Immunology.
• Proficiency with FlowJo software, GraphPad Prism, and excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Proactive, adaptable, comfortable in a high‑performing, fast‑paced environment, with excellent interpersonal skills to interact effectively with people.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Flexibility to perform occasional weekend, evening, and holiday dosing or animal monitoring as required by pos