Director, External Innovation, DPDS – Biology Technologies

Johnson & Johnson

. Lead identification, evaluation, and partnership development with emerging companies, academic groups, and technology innovators advancing human-relevant models for pharmacology, toxicology, and translational sciences .

Posted 11/6/2026full-timeUnited StatesLead💰 $168,000 - $334,650 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates deep scientific expertise in pharmacology, toxicology, and translational sciences, with a strong focus on advanced cellular modeling and AI-enabled biological discovery platforms. Proven ability to evaluate and develop partnerships with emerging technologies and present strategic assessments to senior stakeholders.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Pharmacology ExpertiseTranslational Sciences KnowledgeAdvanced Cellular ModelingAI-Enabled Biological DiscoveryLaboratory Automation Experience

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

CRISPR ScreeningGenetic PerturbationChemical BiologySynthetic BiologyFunctional GenomicsMicrophysiological SystemsHuman-Relevant BiologyMultimodal Biological Data GenerationHigh-Throughput BiologyAutomated Data-Generation Workflows

Soft Skills

Excellent Oral CommunicationExcellent Written CommunicationIntercultural Social SkillsSelf-MotivationProactivity

Tools & Technologies

Laboratory AutomationRobotic ExperimentationAutomated Assay DevelopmentVirtual CellsDigital Biology

Industry Keywords

Drug DiscoveryBiopharmaceutical IndustryToxicology AssessmentSystems BiologyHealth SciencesMolecular BiologyBiochemistryPharmaceutical SciencesCell/Molecular BiologyFunctional Phenotyping

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead identification, evaluation, and partnership development with emerging companies, academic groups, and technology innovators advancing human-relevant models for pharmacology, toxicology, and translational sciences
Evaluate advanced cellular systems, organoids, assembloids, microphysiological systems, organ-on-a-chip and lab-on-a-chip technologies, humanized disease models, screening platforms, CRISPR and genetic perturbation systems, chemical biology platforms, laboratory automation, and self-driving lab concepts
Support identification and evaluation of computational biology technologies, including virtual cells, digital biology, computational cell models, and multi-agentic AI platforms
Identify technologies generating scalable, multimodal, AI-ready datasets for discovery, translational medicine, and safety sciences
Present science and technology assessments to senior stakeholders, explain strategic alignment, and champion opportunities using supporting data
Build cross-functional networks across Discovery, Translational Sciences, Safety Sciences, Data Sciences, Informatics, Automation Engineering, and Therapeutic Area teams
Collaborate with the global DPDS External Innovation team to assess opportunities globally and select the best opportunities independent of geography
Represent J&J Innovative Medicine to external biotech companies, academic institutes, and partners at conferences and partnering events
Serve as technical deal lead or co-lead with transaction and procurement teams to establish contracted relationships
Demonstrate Credo Values in daily interactions

Requirements

What you’ll need

Minimum of a Master’s degree is required
PhD is preferred
Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in industrial drug discovery or development
Deep scientific expertise in pharmacology, translational sciences, toxicology and safety assessment, complex in vitro systems, human-relevant biology, systems biology, functional genomics, microphysiological systems and organ-on-a-chip technologies, advanced cellular modeling, or AI-enabled biological discovery platforms
Expertise demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications and patents
Familiarity with multimodal biological data generation, including imaging, transcriptomics, proteomics, single-cell technologies, functional phenotyping, and perturbation biology
Experience evaluating technologies using genetic perturbations, CRISPR screening, chemical biology, synthetic biology, or virtual cell approaches
Proficiency in planning, proactivity, self-motivation, and ability to work independently
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Well-developed intercultural social skills highly valued
Preferred experience with laboratory automation, robotic experimentation, high-throughput biology, automated assay development, and automated data-generation workflows
Preferred strong understanding of AI/ML-enabled drug discovery and AI-ready biological dataset requirements
Preferred demonstrable end-to-end drug discovery project leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical industry
Concentration/major in Health Sciences, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Cell/Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Toxicology, Bioengineering, or Pharmaceutical Sciences preferred
Requires up to 20% travel
Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position

Benefits

Comp & perks

Relocation support may be provided for qualified candidates in accordance with company policy
Company consolidated retirement plan (pension)
Savings plan (401(k))
Long-term incentive program
Vacation – 120 hours per calendar year
Sick time – 40 hours per calendar year; employees residing in Colorado – 48 hours; employees residing in Washington – 56 hours
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
Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year
Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year
Inclusive interview process and applicant accommodations