Medical Director, Early Development & Experimental Medicine (Neuroscience)

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:

Discovery & Pre-Clinical/Clinical Development

Job Sub Function:

Clinical Development & Research – MD

Job Category:

People Leader

All Job Posting Locations:

Raritan, New Jersey, United States of America, Spring House, Pennsylvania, United States of America, Titusville, New Jersey, United States of America

Job Description:

Johnson & Johnson, is recruiting for Medical Director, Clinical Leader- Neuroscience Early Development & Experimental Medicine to be located in Raritan, NJ, Titusville, NJ or Spring House, PA.  Remote work options may be considered on a case-by-case basis and if approved by the Company.

Our expertise in Innovative Medicine is informed and inspired by patients, whose insights fuel our science-based advancements. Visionaries like you work on teams that save lives by developing the medicines of tomorrow.

Our Neuroscience team tackles the world’s toughest brain health challenges including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, myasthenia gravis, epilepsy, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism. This patient-focused team helps address some of the most complex diseases of our time.

Join us in developing treatments, finding cures, and pioneering the path from lab to life while championing patients every step of the way.

Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/innovative-medicine

The Clinical Leader for Neuroscience Early Development & Experimental Medicine will serve as the clinical lead for one or multiple early‑stage programs in Neuroscience. This role will be accountable for shaping the clinical strategy, designing and overseeing early‑phase clinical studies, and driving programs from first‑in‑human through Proof‑of‑Concept.

The role requires deep scientific and clinical expertise in neuroscience, strong leadership in cross‑functional drug development, and the ability to operate in an innovation‑focused matrix environment. The Medical Director Clinical leader will partner closely with discovery, precision measures (e.g. biomarkers, diagnostics), clinical pharmacology, biostatistics, regulatory, and external academic collaborators to advance transformative therapies for patients.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead clinical development strategies from IND/CTA through Phase I and Phase IIa Proof‑of‑Concept/Proof-of-Mechanism.

• Integrate translational hypotheses, biomarker strategies, precision measures (for patient selection, pharmacodynamic measures) and patient‑centric approaches into clinical plans.

• Ensure scientific rigor, clinical feasibility, and regulatory alignment in all development strategies.

• Lead the design of innovative and lean signal seeking early-phase clinical trials, including adaptive and biomarker‑enriched designs.

• Provide clinical oversight for study execution, including protocol development, medical monitoring, and data interpretation.

• Leads cross-functional clinical study teams and work closely with biomarker, PK/PD, biostatistics, and operations teams to ensure high‑quality clinical execution.

• Be a core member of the early development compound team for specific assets. Guide decision‑making at project milestones and participate in governance reviews.

• Engage with regulatory affairs to inform early interactions with FDA, EMA, and other agencies.

• Establish and maintain relationships with global key opinion leaders, academic partners, and clinical investigators.

• Represent the company at scientific meetings, advisory boards, and consortiums in neuroscience and neurodegeneration.

• Contributes to in-licensing evaluations and due-diligence activities.

• Provide scientific and strategic leadership to clinical scientists and clinical development team members.

• Promote a culture of scientific excellence, patient focus, and collaborative innovation.

Education & Experience:

• MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent clinical degree required; board certification in Neurology or Psychiatry strongly preferred.

• Minimum 5 years of clinical research experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, academia, or equivalent setting.

• Demonstrated experience leading early‑phase clinical trials; experience in Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s Disease is highly desirable.

• Proven track record of advancing programs through early development milestones.

• Deep understanding of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s biology, clinical endpoints, and emerging modalities.

• Strong knowledge of translational neuroscience, biomarkers, and experimental medicine approaches.

• Experience with innovative trial designs, digital health tools, or fluid/imaging biomarkers is a plus.

• Strategic thinker with the ability to influence and drive cross‑functional teams.

• Outstanding communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage senior leadership, and ensures alignment between various teams and stakeholders. 

• Demonstrated ability to work in an agile, innovation‑driven environment.

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 & 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 contact us via https://www.jnj.com/contact-us/careers or contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.

#LI-Hybrid

Required Skills:

 

 

Preferred Skills:

Clinical Operations, Clinical Research and Regulations, Clinical Trials, Collaborating, Drug Discovery Development, Global Market, Leadership, Scientific Research, Stakeholder Management

 

 

The anticipated base pay range for this position is :

$199,000.00 - $343,850.00

Additional Description for Pay Transparency:

Subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)).

This position is eligible to participate in the Company’s long-term incentive program.

Subject to the terms of their respective policies and date of hire, employees are eligible for the following time off benefits:
•Vacation –120 hours per calendar year
•Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Colorado –48 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington –56 hours per calendar year
•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 period10 days
•Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year
•Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year

For additional general information on Company benefits, please go to: - https://www.careers.jnj.com/employee-benefits