Career growth in oncology and immunology: Lessons from two J&J leaders

What stands out about the careers of Colleen K. and Dainius B. isn't how long they've been at J&J. It's how many different careers they've had without ever leaving. 

Colleen, now Vice President, Compound Development Team Leader, Lymphoma and Leukemia, joined 18 years ago as a discovery scientist in immunology. And Dainius, Vice President, Clinical Science Group Head, Immunology Development, joined us 22 years ago, focusing his early career in our infectious diseases therapeutic area. For both, those early roles became launch pads to new scientific challenges, leadership opportunities and entirely different chapters of their careers. 

What happens when expertise isn't a destination? Take a closer look at their career journeys and imagine what’s possible when you’re encouraged to keep learning—at every stage of your career.

Tackling health challenges wherever they appear 

After a decade in discovery science, Colleen was ready to explore health innovation from a different perspective. A year-long stretch assignment within our clinical development bench program changed the trajectory of her career. 

That path mattered because J&J gave her access to something few companies can offer at scale: the opportunity to work across different stages of drug development while remaining connected to the same scientific mission. Rather than forcing a choice between discovery science and patient impact, she found a way to contribute to both. 

Years later, she is still seeing the impact of that choice. 

"I worked on CD3 T-cell redirection years ago, and to see that platform now changing the treatment landscape in multiple myeloma has been phenomenal," she says. "Ten years ago, we were not talking seriously about the potential for a cure in that disease. Now, because of the science, the portfolio and the persistence of teams across J&J, that conversation feels real." 

Amplifying career impact 

Dainius’ career at J&J has crossed several therapeutic areas: infectious diseases, cardiovascular and metabolism, and now immunology.

“In infectious diseases, I remember seeing before-and-after images in our trials of diabetic foot ulcers and hearing our investigators describe patients having their foot ulcers heal—patients who might otherwise have faced limb amputation,” Dainius says. “In cardiovascular and metabolism therapeutic area, our clinical trial data changed a treatment paradigm for chronic kidney disease after many years without major progress. Those moments stay with you."  

"In immunology, we’re not only talking about remission; we’re asking what it would take to move toward a cure. For a scientific mind, that’s incredibly motivating," he says. 

Encouragement to keep learning 

We believe that meaningful careers are often shaped by a willingness to keep learning. Innovation happens when clinicians and leaders bring perspectives from different disciplines, ask new questions and challenge established assumptions. 

"We aren’t looking for incremental benefit. We’re looking for transformational medicines that can extend lives and change outcomes,” Colleen says. “That means trying again and again, learning from what did not work and coming back with better targets, better platforms, smarter combinations and a clearer understanding of the biology.”

For Dainius, it means combining scientific ambition with a willingness to build strong teams bold enough to ask tough questions. 

“I continue to learn from the people around me every day,” he said. “J&J attracts extraordinary talent, and it is humbling to work alongside people who bring such scientific depth, clinical judgment and commitment to patients.” 

The freedom to keep evolving 

At J&J, we have formal learning pathways alongside opportunities to grow through immersive “stretch” assignments. It’s a learning culture in which we encourage everyone to explore their interests while remaining connected to a shared mission: advancing transformational medicines and health solutions for patients.

 “For experienced clinicians and researchers considering J&J, this is a place where humility and fierceness both matter,” Colleen says. “Humility to ask the naïve question that may change a strategy, and fierceness to keep going in diseases where progress is hard won. The project comes first, the patient stays at the center, and the team surrounds the work with expertise. That is what makes this an extraordinary place to build a career in oncology.”

“What has kept me here is the culture and the portfolio,” Dainius adds. “Our Credo matters because leaders model it, teams listen and people are willing to lead and be led. My own leadership purpose has evolved into serving people—helping them achieve their professional goals and objectives, navigate their work-life balance, and guide their careers. That’s the kind of career J&J can make possible.”

Sometimes the most remarkable career move isn't leaving for something new. It's discovering how many paths can exist within one company. 

Whether you're interested in oncology, immunology, clinical development or the next scientific frontier, opportunities exist to expand your expertise while helping shape the future of medicine. Explore opportunities across innovative medicine or browse current clinical development immunology and oncology jobs at J&J.