Director, Physical AI for Autonomous Discovery

Johnson & Johnson seeks a Director to lead Physical AI strategy and build a team developing autonomous laboratory experimentation systems. The role combines AI, robotics, and scientific reasoning to create self-improving discovery workflows that operate in real laboratory environments.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute Physical AI strategy; build and lead a high-performing team with aligned roadmap
• Develop AI models that understand laboratory instruments, samples, robotic systems, and experimental workflows
• Build adaptive optimization capabilities using active learning, Bayesian optimization, and reinforcement learning
• Create error detection and correction systems including anomaly recognition and recovery actions
• Design agentic systems coordinating experiment planning, execution, data interpretation, and decision-making

Requirements

• PhD in artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, computer science, engineering, or related quantitative field
• Demonstrated experience developing AI systems operating in physical or scientific environments
• Deep expertise in world models, reinforcement learning, Bayesian optimization, causal inference, or robotics
• Strong Python and modern machine-learning framework proficiency
• Ability to translate scientific requirements into scalable AI models and communicate across multidisciplinary teams
• Strong collaboration skills in matrix environment
• Preferred: self-driving laboratories, laboratory automation, or closed-loop experimentation experience