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 https://www.jnj.com

Job Function:

Discovery & Pre-Clinical/Clinical Development

Job Sub Function:

Chemical Research

Job Category:

People Leader

All Job Posting Locations:

Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America

Job Description:

We are searching for the best talent to join our Vision team as a Senior Manager, Chemical Research located in Jacksonville, Florida.

Fueled by innovation at the intersection of biology and technology, we’re developing the next generation of smarter, less invasive, more personalized treatments.

Are you passionate about improving and expanding the possibilities of vision treatments? Ready to join a team that’s reimagining how vision is improved? Our Vision team solves the toughest health challenges. Help combine cutting-edge insights, science, technology, and people to encourage eye care professionals and patients to proactively protect, correct and enhance healthy sight for life. Our products and services address these needs – from the pediatric to aging eye – in a patient’s lifetime.

Your unique talents will help patients on their journey to wellness. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/medtech

Purpose: The Senior Manager, Chemical Research will lead a high-performing synthetic chemistry team focused on ophthalmic material innovation. The role combines hands-on and strategic responsibilities: identifying and designing target molecule structures, executing initial synthesis of target molecules (bench to up to 500 g), and driving process optimization and scale-up in partnership with external chemical supply partners. The Senior Manager will direct research activities, mentor PhD-level synthetic chemists, establish robust synthetic strategies, ensure rigorous characterization and problem solving, and build deep subject matter expertise in ophthalmic material chemistry.

You will:

• Lead and manage a team of three PhD synthetic chemists: set priorities, mentor technical development, perform performance reviews, and foster a collaborative, safety-first research culture.
• Define target molecule concepts and lead structure selection informed by application requirements for ophthalmic materials (biocompatibility, stability, manufacturability).
• Design and execute synthetic routes for initial target molecules and deliver material up to 500 g for downstream evaluation and formulation testing.
• Develop and implement process-optimization strategies to improve yield, purity, cost, and safety; prepare chemistry for technology transfer to external chemical supply partners and contract manufacturers.
• Manage scale-up activities with external chemical suppliers: selecting vendors, developing specifications and transfer packages, support pilot runs, and troubleshoot scale-up issues.
• Oversee analytical characterization (NMR, HPLC/UPLC, MS, IR, elemental analysis) and develop appropriate release and stability testing workflows for new materials.
• Drive root-cause problem solving for synthetic and process issues; coordinate cross-functional investigations with formulation, analytical, quality, and regulatory teams.
• Establish and maintain documentation practices (lab notebooks, SOPs, process descriptions, risk assessments) to support reproducibility, IP capture, and regulatory filings.
• Set project timelines and deliverables; communicate progress and technical risks to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Promote knowledge sharing and develop subject matter expertise in ophthalmic material chemistry through internal training, seminars, and contributions to publications/patents as appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and quality systems (GLP/GMP awareness as applicable), and maintain a culture of safe laboratory practices.

Qualifications

Required:

• Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or closely related discipline with 8-12 years of experience required; PhD with 6-10 years preferred
• 8+ years of industrial experience in synthetic organic/process chemistry, including demonstrated experience with scale-up and working with external suppliers or CMOs
• Prior experience managing scientists (people leader with successful mentorship of PhD-level staff)
• Hands-on synthetic experience with gram-to-500 g scale synthesis and process optimization
• Strong working knowledge of analytical techniques: NMR, HPLC/UPLC, mass spectrometry, and basic elemental/physical characterization
• Proven track record of designing robust synthetic routes and solving complex synthetic/process problems
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to influence cross-functional teams and present technical findings to leadership

Preferred:

• Experience in ophthalmic, medical device/materials, or biologically relevant small molecule/polymer chemistries
• Familiarity with regulatory considerations for ophthalmic products and working knowledge of GMP technology transfers
• Experience with vendor management and contracting with chemical suppliers or CROs/CMOs
• Record of patents, publications, or conference presentations in synthetic chemistry or related fields

• Strategic technical leadership or team development experience

Other:

• Primarily laboratory based with regular desk and cross-functional meetings.
• May require occasional travel (vendor visits, pilot plant support).

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Johnson & Johnson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. 

Johnson and Johnson is committed to providing an interview process that is inclusive of our applicants’ needs. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation, please email the Employee Health Support Center  ([email protected]) or contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.

 

 

Required Skills:

 

 

Preferred Skills:

Chemistry, Developing Others, Inclusive Leadership, Leadership, Organic Chemistry, Synthetic Chemistry