Head, Pathogen Mucosal Immunology

Janssen R&D is currently recruiting for a Head, Pathogen Mucosal Immunology to be located in San Francisco, CA.

Scientific Leadership: join the SSF leadership team (with the Head of ID Discovery and Site Head of Research) as the primary scientific subject matter expert in defining and implementing a vision of infectious disease discovery based on innovative immunological approaches and targets

• Integrate the latest scientific thinking on disease pathogenesis with various drug discovery methodologies to identify priority pathways and targets for immunological intervention in mucosal infection and provide leadership for how these efforts should be considered in the larger arena of microbiome-therapeutic strategies
• Provide leadership for multiple diverse project teams on the selection of targets and potential therapeutic candidates including both small and large molecules, combinations of immunomodulation targets with therapeutic vaccines and or small molecules aimed at curing patients with bacterial infections, HBV or HIV infections, and prioritize portfolio programs by establishing and executing on robust immunological assay cascades
• Oversight and accountability of ID immunology projects based in SSF with respect to delivery of NMEs through the effective direction of project teams comprised of Biology, JBIO- Biologics, Chemistry, PDM, Safety and Translational Medicine colleagues;
• Establish and advance projects with ID Translational Biomarkers, ID Translational Medicine, ID Early Development teams to facilitate innovative discovery through a systems immunology platform and to support development projects progress clinical phases;
• Complement internal research efforts with external efforts; identify scientists to help with Innovation Center assessments and prioritization of external opportunities to ensure their success;
• Serve as a key scientific interface with ultimate accountability in collaborations/due diligences; developing effective communication, and ensure successful relationships in support of business objectives.

Strategic Leadership:  to develop strategy for building infrastructure and allocating resources to support delivery of clinical candidates and transitioning them into early development:

• Employ an efficient discovery model that leverages and optimally synergizes with non-US sites.
• Responsible for aligning resources and budgets to the delivery of either small molecule, biological or therapeutic vaccine candidates as NMEs on a sustainable basis, in collaboration with the DAS and SLT
• Identify future human capability/resource needs (technical skills and knowledge gaps); hire appropriate personnel and develop (or access) core technologies and knowledge fundamental to success;
• Communicates overall program strategies and key milestones to peers and senior leaders
• Implements a culture of compliance with safety procedures, healthcare compliance, company training, and local and country regulations across teams
• Actively engaged in diversity & talent development in the ID Discovery Biology group.
• Contribute to the interface with the Commercial DAS teams in providing disease and endpoint information to help build value propositions for the portfolio components.

Operational Management: to lead all Infectious Diseases discovery immunology activities in SSF:

• Recruit, manage, motivate and develop staff
• Promote global ID discovery interactions for immunological targets across geographies and functions through DAS and functional teams
• Represent research to key opinion leaders, investigators, and collaborators
• Responsible for planning functional and collaboration budgets,
• Via the RMC and DAS team membership and the Research Business Manager, to work with Procurement, HCC, PMO to ensure timely execution of contracts for external collaborations/scheduled work  
• Network with therapeutic experts and opinion leaders to develop rapport and foster collaboration to maximize opportunities.
• Member of the global ID Research Management Committee (RMC)