Senior Associate Scientist

Working with Us

Challenging. Meaningful. Life‑changing. Those aren’t words that are usually associated with a job. But working at Bristol Myers Squibb is anything but usual. Here, uniquely interesting work happens every day, in every department. From optimizing a production line to the latest breakthroughs in cell therapy, this is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it. You’ll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities uncommon in scale and scope, alongside high‑achieving teams. Take your career farther than you thought possible.

Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives.

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Associate Scientist to join our Discovery Biotherapeutics organization in Cambridge, MA. This role will help advance high throughput, automated mammalian antibody expression capability within Discovery Biotherapeutics. The Senior Associate Scientist will operate automation‑enabled platforms that accelerate antibody discovery and engineering, including complex and multispecific biologics.

Working at the interface of mammalian expression biology, laboratory automation, and software enabled workflows, this position enables scalable, integrated discovery approaches that increase speed and impact across early biologics programs. This lab‑facing role offers an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful scientific contribution in support of BMS’s mission of delivering innovative medicines to patients.

Experience in protein production and purification is required for this role as well as the ability to operate, troubleshoot, and help develop novel automation systems and solutions. A background in AKTA/Unicorn programming and liquid handler operation will be helpful, but the candidate must have a strong interest in automation and a proven track record of innovation and problem solving.

Key Responsibilities

• Strong background in molecular biology (primer design, cloning, sequence analysis, and HT-PCR) is required.
• Discovery‑stage mammalian expression of antibodies and antibody‑derived formats, including IgGs, fragments, and multispecific biologics in HT‑plate based workflows.
• Experience with high‑throughput, automated expression and purification workflows: 4 mL to 100 mL scale and QC analytics for protein production including A280 protein concentration measurements, CE‑SDS, SDS‑PAGE, HT‑anSEC, and endotoxin testing.
• Background using liquid handling systems such as Lynx 1800, Biomek i7 or equivalent and familiarity with plate‑based purification schemes.
• Experience working with automation teams to integrate liquid handling, incubators, culture handling, and downstream processing steps is a bonus.
• Interface with laboratory software platforms to ensure high‑quality, traceable data generation compatible with computational and ML‑driven discovery. Software includes Benchling, Geneious Prime, Electronic notebook documentation.
• Collaborate with AI/ML, binder discovery, molecular interaction, and functional assay teams to support binder discovery campaigns.
• The willingness to learn new workflows and work in mid‑scale production / purification is desirable.

Qualifications & Experience

• BS with 4+ years; or MS with 2+ years of pharmaceutical R&D or related industry experience.
• Molecular biology background with a strong understanding of cloning and high throughput fragment DNA generation.
• Experience with HTP‑scale and mid‑scale protein production and operating high‑throughput, automated expression workflows.
• Hands‑on experience in the operation and control of AKTA chromatography workstations and liquid handling systems like Lynx 1800 and Biomek i7.
• Experience in mammalian antibody expression, purification and ability to troubleshoot standard purification protocols and instrumentation.
• Strong understanding of HEK293, CHO, CFE or equivalent expression systems.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work independently while influencing cross‑functional discovery of biotherapeutics, biology, automation, and engineering teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to work with a sense of urgency under tight deadlines.
• Experience with LIMS systems and Electronic Notebook is a plus.

Compensation Overview

Cambridge Crossing: $106,510 – $129,059

The starting compensation range(s) for this role are listed above for a full‑time employee (FTE) basis. Additional incentive cash and stock opportunities (based on eligibility) may be available. The starting pay rate takes into account characteristics of the job, such as required skills, where the job is performed, the employee’s work schedule, job‑related knowledge, and experience. Final, individual compensation will be decided based on demonstrated experience.

Benefits

• Health Coverage: Medical, pharmacy, dental and vision care.
• Well‑being Support: Programs such as BMS Well‑Being Account, BMS Living Life Better and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).
• Financial Well‑being and Protection: 401(k) plan, short‑ and long‑term disability, life insurance, accident insurance, supplemental health insurance, business travel protection, personal liability protection, identity theft benefit, legal support and survivor support.

Work‑life benefits include paid time off, flexible time off, unlimited paid national holidays (with specific exceptions), 160 hours annual paid vacation for new hires and other leave options. Additional time off for employees may include unlimited paid sick time, up to 2 paid volunteer days per year, summer hours flexibility, leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement and military needs and an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Equal Opportunity and Data Protection

Bristol Myers Squibb is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, pregnancy, citizenship, marital status, gender expression, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We will never request payments, financial information or social security numbers during our application or recruitment process.

Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.