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Neuroscience Project Manager Jobs in Encinitas, CA

Scientist I, Microglia

San Diego, CA · On-site

$108K - $133K/yr

Investigate, create, and develop new methods and technologies for project advancement ... Manage external academic collaborations and contract research activities, including study design ...

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Showing results 1-20

Neuroscience Project Manager information

See Encinitas, CA salary details

$47.8K

$103.7K

$165.9K

How much do neuroscience project manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for neuroscience project manager in Encinitas, CA is $103,714.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,600.00 and $121,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a neuroscience project manager?

Neuroscience Project Managers are professionals who oversee and coordinate research projects within the field of neuroscience. They are responsible for planning, executing, and monitoring projects to ensure objectives are met on time and within budget. Their role includes managing teams, resources, timelines, and communication between researchers, stakeholders, and sponsors. Neuroscience Project Managers often have a background in neuroscience or related sciences, as well as strong organizational and leadership skills. They play a crucial part in advancing scientific discoveries by ensuring that research projects run smoothly and efficiently.

How does a neuroscience project manager typically collaborate with researchers and other departments during a project?

A Neuroscience Project Manager acts as a central coordinator, working closely with neuroscientists, data analysts, regulatory teams, and sometimes external partners to ensure project milestones are met. They facilitate regular meetings to track progress, align research goals, and address any obstacles that arise. Effective communication and coordination are essential, as these projects often involve multidisciplinary teams and complex regulatory requirements. This collaborative environment helps ensure that research objectives are achieved efficiently and according to compliance standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a neuroscience project manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Neuroscience Project Manager, you need a solid background in neuroscience or biomedical sciences, project management experience, and preferably an advanced degree such as a PhD or PMP certification. Familiarity with research methodologies, data analysis tools like SPSS or MATLAB, and project management software such as MS Project or Asana is typically required. Exceptional organizational, leadership, and cross-functional communication skills help you coordinate teams and drive projects to completion. These skills ensure effective management of complex research initiatives, timely delivery of project milestones, and successful collaboration among multidisciplinary teams.

What is the difference between Neuroscience Project Manager vs Neuroscience Research Coordinator?

AspectNeuroscience Project ManagerNeuroscience Research Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Neuroscience, Project Management certification often preferredBachelor's in Neuroscience or related field, research experience beneficial
Work EnvironmentOversees projects in labs, hospitals, or biotech companiesSupports research activities, manages data collection, and assists in experiments
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in industry, clinical trials, biotech firmsCommon in academic, clinical, and research institutions

The Neuroscience Project Manager focuses on planning, executing, and closing projects within neuroscience settings, often managing teams and budgets. In contrast, the Neuroscience Research Coordinator primarily supports research activities, handling data and assisting researchers. Both roles require neuroscience knowledge but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What job categories do people searching Neuroscience Project Manager jobs in Encinitas, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Neuroscience Project Manager jobs in Encinitas, CA are:

What cities near Encinitas, CA are hiring for Neuroscience Project Manager jobs?

Cities near Encinitas, CA with the most Neuroscience Project Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Neuroscience Project Manager job openings in Encinitas, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $103,714 per year, or $49.9 per hour.

Director, Neuroscience Portfolio Strategy

Johnson & Johnson

San Diego, CA • On-site

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago


Johnson & Johnson rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 113 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

25th of 86 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

At Johnson & Johnson,we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build aworld where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured,where treatments are smarter and less invasive, andsolutions 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:

Project/Program Management Group

Job Sub Function:

R&D Project Management

Job Category:

People Leader

All Job Posting Locations:

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America, Raritan, New Jersey, United States of America, San Diego, California, United States of America, Spring House, Pennsylvania, United States of America, Titusville, New Jersey, United States of America

Job Description:

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is seeking a Director, Neuroscience Portfolio Strategy to be located in Titusville, NJ; Raritan, NJ; Spring House, PA; San Diego, CA or Cambridge, MA.

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

Position Summary:

The Director, Neuroscience Portfolio Strategy is a key leader within the Neuroscience Portfolio Strategy and Integration (NPSI) organization and is responsible for helping shape the long-term strategic direction of Johnson & Johnson's Neuroscience portfolio. This individual serves as a strategic thought partner to Neuroscience senior leadership, driving portfolio prioritization, investment decision-making, innovation strategy, and enterprise-level planning across neurodegeneration, neuropsychiatry, ophthalmology, and emerging neuroscience opportunities.

The Director will work across Discovery, Development, Commercial, Business Development, External Innovation, Finance, Medical Affairs, and other cross-functional partners address a broad range of portfolio strategy questions, including evaluating portfolio opportunities, identifying areas for growth, assessing risks, and supporting integrated portfolio strategies that maximize long-term value and patient impact. The role requires scientific acumen, business strategy expertise, and strong leadership capability to influence complex decisions across all stages of the portfolio lifecycle.

As a leader within NPSI, the Director will help guide strategic planning efforts, facilitate portfolio governance discussions, support external innovation and business development assessments, and drive alignment across Neuroscience Disease Areas and Compound Development Teams. This individual will lead a small team and contribute to the continued evolution of Johnson & Johnson's Neuroscience strategy as the organization expands and diversifies its portfolio.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Maintain and grow a broad, deep, and dynamic understanding of internal strategic resources, including Neuroscience strategy, product development plans, Target Product Profiles, knowledge management systems, portfolio priorities, governance processes, and long-range planning inputs, as well as external strategic resources including competitive intelligence, market dynamics, regulatory precedent, policy developments, external innovation, and business development trends.

  • Lead strategic portfolio assessments and scenario planning activities to support investment decisions, resource allocation, portfolio prioritization, and long-range Neuroscience Therapeutic Area planning across neurodegeneration, neuropsychiatry, ophthalmology, and emerging areas of scientific opportunity.

  • Independently identify and evaluate opportunities to strengthen portfolio value through strategic prioritization, lifecycle planning, external innovation, business development assessments, risk mitigation, and organizational investments.

  • Actively partner with NPSI colleagues, Disease Area Leadership Teams, Compound Development Teams, and senior functional leaders to advise and drive program, portfolio, and disease area strategies, plans, objectives, and executive communications across the Neuroscience portfolio.

  • Partner across the development continuum to ensure portfolio strategies are aligned from discovery through late-stage development, regulatory milestones, commercialization planning, and lifecycle management.

  • Serve as a facilitator and trusted advisor in strategically complex, cross-functional discussions, including portfolio reviews, lifecycle management assessments, opportunity assessments, strategic process improvements, governance forums, and J&J Innovative Medicine-level portfolio discussions.

  • Build strong two-way partnerships across R&D, Commercial, Business Development, External Innovation, Medical Affairs, Competitive Intelligence, Data Science, Development, and Finance to advance Neuroscience portfolio objectives and enterprise priorities.

  • Act as a strategic thought partner for Neuroscience Therapeutic Area and Disease Area senior leaders, with the ability to confidently participate in and present to senior leadership forums.

  • Exhibit self-awareness, a learning mindset, and the ability to influence stakeholders from different functional backgrounds by clearly articulating the strategic value of portfolio recommendations, gaining buy-in, and driving uptake of decisions.

  • Lead the Neuroscience Strategy Development team, with responsibility for performance, development, coaching, mentoring, guidance, empowerment, and maintaining a high-functioning and psychologically safe team environment.

Qualifications

  • A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in life sciences is required. Post-graduate degree in life sciences strongly preferred.

  • Neuroscience expertise preferred.

  • A minimum of 6 years' experience working in the global Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology or Medical Device/Diagnostics industry, or an institution that participates in pharmaceutical/Healthcare research is required.

  • Experience in portfolio strategy, therapeutic area strategy, business development, external innovation, commercial strategy, corporate strategy, R&D leadership, or cross-functional drug development strategy is strongly preferred.

  • Demonstrated success influencing portfolio strategy, investment decisions, enterprise-level business planning, and cross-functional strategic alignment within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or healthcare industry.

  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate, consult, facilitate and communicate effectively in a global matrix environment, with the ability to build positive relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels of hierarchy, regardless of authority.

  • Breadth of experience in leading people of varying levels via support, guidance, coaching and open conversations to reach their full potential. Ability to build trust, inspire, develop, collaborate, and lead to solutions within a global matrixed team.

  • Self motivated, with a high level of comfort with operating as an independent worker in an entrepreneurial environment. Big picture orientation with solid attention to detail. A results and performance driven demeanor with solid sense of accountability and drive to get results.

  • Up to 10% travel may be required.

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:

The anticipated base pay range for this position is :

$164,000.00 - $282,900.00

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)).
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

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