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Job Function:

Project/Program Management Group

Job Sub Function:

R&D Project Management:

Job Category:

Professional

All Job Posting Locations:

Beijing, China, Shanghai, China

Job Description:

The Associate Director, APAC External Innovation, R&D Data Science is responsible for developing deep insight into the APAC AI/ML ecosystem and translating that insight into strategic intelligence and recommendations for JJIM R&D. The role focuses on ecosystem engagement, rigorous assessment, and decision support, translating external scientific and technological advances into actionable recommendations and partnership opportunities

The role requires strong “bilingual” fluency across computational and life sciences, combined with strategic judgment, operational rigor, and the ability to influence cross‑functional stakeholders.

This position will be based in the J&J office in Beijing or Shanghai, with regular engagement across the broader APAC ecosystem.

Summary

• Track and interpret emerging AI/ML innovations, regulatory developments, and partnership activity across the APAC life sciences ecosystem

• Evaluate APAC AI/ML capabilities in the context of the global innovation landscape and JJIM’s existing internal and external capabilities

• Provide rigorous diligence, assessment, and decision support to external engagement opportunities

• Synthesize external insights into recommendations that inform JJIM’s AI/ML and external innovation strategy.

• Contribute to regional sourcing strategy as a member of JJIM's APAC Innovation Center

Responsibilities:

• Deliver structured landscape reports and technology assessments of external AI/ML capabilities in APAC relevant to JJIM R&D; contribute to JJIM’s AI/ML strategy by translating ecosystem insights into actionable recommendations

• Attend industry conferences, local ecosystem events, and cross-functional in-person meetings (~25% travel)

• Lead and support scientific, technical, and business diligence for potential partnerships, producing clear, decision‑ready diligence briefs.

• Drive the development and execution of strategic partnerships in collaboration with internal SMEs, transaction teams, and therapeutic area stakeholders.

• Collaborate closely with External Scientific Innovation team as a member of APAC Innovation Center

Requirements

• PhD in Computer Science, AI/ML, Physics, Mathematics, Computational Biology, Biology, or a related discipline.

• Experience in roles requiring rigorous external technology assessment, strategic analysis, or ecosystem evaluation (e.g., external innovation, venture, strategy, consulting, or equivalent industry roles)

• Strong understanding of the pharmaceutical R&D value chain and the application of AI/ML across its stages.

• Demonstrated ability to critically evaluate AI/ML technologies with sufficient technical depth to assess scientific validity, data requirements, model approaches, and deployment considerations.

• Strong strategic thinking, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate technical assessments into actionable recommendations

• Experience working effectively in cross‑functional, matrixed environments and influencing without direct authority.

• Strong familiarity with the APAC AI/ML ecosystem, including academia, startups, industry, investors, and relevant policy or regulatory context preferred

• Established regional professional network that supports ongoing ecosystem engagement preferred

Required Skills: Preferred Skills:

Alliance Formation, Business Planning, Developing Partnerships, Market Expansion, Market Research, Mentorship, Organizing, Program Management, Relationship Building, Sales Enablement, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Change, Strategic Sales Planning, Strategic Thinking, SWOT Analysis, Technical Credibility