Principal Scientist

• Job title Principal Scientist
• Function Discovery & Pre-Clinical/Clinical Development
• Sub function Chemical Research
• Category Principal Scientist, Chemical Research (ST7)
• Location Shanghai / China
• Date posted Jun 15 2026
• Requisition number R-081429
• Work pattern Hybrid Work

Description

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at jnj.com.

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.

Job Function:

Job Sub Function:

Job Category:

All Job Posting Locations:

Job Description:

General Mission

Responsible for conducting research aimed at development of therapeutic agents including but not limited to: originating scientific experiments according to high quality standards; developing new methodology; maintaining a state-of-the-art scientific knowledge; and originating and defending ideas in ongoing projects and for new projects. In addition, assumes leadership position in projects at different stages of development.

Specific Missions

• Guides, Coaches and trains external CRO’s lab chemist employees. Maintains a lab presence and is actively and personally involved in lab work. Originates and develops new project ideas. Recommends expansion or curtailment of investigations on the basis of experimental results or scientific information.
• Is responsible for the proper recording of information obtained in projects. Ensures that records and raw data are properly retained. Summarizes, interprets, reviews data, and draws conclusions.
• Ensures the proper and timely preparation of technical reports, manuscripts, and other documents. Consistent with company policy, where appropriate, publishes work in scientific journals/patents. Has or acquires good technical writing skills.
• Effectively applies state of the art scientific knowledge to own or assigned project. Shows a state of the art proficiency in team discipline. Demonstrates considerable knowledge/expertise outside of team discipline, especially in bridging disciplines. Introduces new techniques to the solution of problems.
• Establishes priorities, checkpoints, and time frames for experimental work in support of objectives and for the adequate progress of team projects and objectives.
• Keeps abreast of current scientific developments and new techniques by reading the current scientific literature broadly, and by interacting with outside scientists. Pro-actively applies literature searches to current projects and to the development of new ideas. Consults on technical and conceptual planes with colleagues in CPRD.
• Advises team leaders of resources needed to accomplish tasks. Ensures availability of adequate materials. Recommends and justifies the purchase of materials end equipment.
• Attends in house seminars and participates in scientific meetings as appropriate to support team goals. Presents his work to outside consultants, at in house research forums and at outside professional meetings, where applicable. Hosts visiting outside scientists, where applicable. Has or acquires good oral presentation skills.
• Plans developmental opportunities for personnel to increase efficiency, encourage job satisfaction and personal growth, and enhance professionalism. Strives with supervisee(s) to achieve: performance management; a fair framework of recognition and reward; fairness and a mature sense of discipline; open communication; and mutual respect.
• Participates in discussions at research meetings, thereby sharing information, knowledge, ideas, and judgement to help establish valid scientific directions.
• Follows established operating procedures and safety regulations adhering to company work standards.
• Is responsible for the review and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures and Best Practices, and for adhering to GMP principles in studies in order to improve quality.
• Acts as a role model for (lab) safety.

Judgment
Decision making includes analysing and interpreting data, drawing conclusions, arriving at timely technical decisions, modifying methodology to improve the quality, accuracy, and usefulness of data, advising the supervisor in a timely manner, contributing to the evaluation/modification of R&D objectives, and advising team leader on effective utilisation and management of personnel and resources. Contributes to the design, evaluation, direction and execution of new projects where appropriate.

Initiative
Works independently on projects under general direction. Originates and defends new project ideas. Delegates effectively. Has a good sense of priorities for assigned research projects and manages time accordingly. Able to handle several projects simultaneously.

Contacts with others

• Internally: With personnel in own team and CPRD teams.
• Externally: external CRO’s .

Teamwork
The Principal Scientist must be willing to place the goals of the team first, and work with others towards these goals. The final word on team direction remains with the Team Leaders and CPRD management.

Profile needed for this function

Knowledge

• Excellent theoretical and technical competence in own domain of expertise and extensive knowledge of related domains or competence outside of own domain of expertise or a wide range of knowledge over different domains of expertise.
• Thorough knowledge of techniques for development of chemical processes.
• Thorough knowledge of Office applications and specific software.
• Keen interest in recent developments of organic chemistry and related chemical technology.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Passionate to work in the lab and able to perform chemical experiments in state-of-the-art chemical laboratories including the use of automated lab reactors.
• Analyses, discusses and assesses the results of the experiments and reports them in formal documentation.
• Must demonstrate good skills for organising, planning, and problem solving.
• Must provide leadership and development to supervisee(s); must be able to interface with people of various groups and disciplines.
• Must show adequate technical oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates ability to translate creative and innovative approaches into the solution of problems.
• Is able to write reports and deliver presentations, which are clear, organised, focused, and intellectually sound.

Degree

• Normally will have the following minimum entry requirements: a Ph.D. degree with 3 to 5 years of experience (including Post-Doctoral studies), or equivalent experience performing progressively advanced duties beyond a B.S. or M.S. degree, or 2 to 3 years of experience performing progressively advanced duties at the Scientist level.

Languages

• Good knowledge of English (oral and written) - scientific texts.

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills: