At Bristol Myers Squibb, our employees often ask, “Who are you working for?”—a question that fuels collaboration, accountability, and urgency in our work. Our purpose-driven culture inspires us to discover, develop, and deliver innovative medicines to prevail over serious diseases. We offer uniquely interesting and meaningful work, opportunities for growth, and a supportive environment that values inclusion, wellbeing, flexibility, and comprehensive benefits. This is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it.
The Principal Scientist is responsible for developing, optimizing, qualifying, validating, and executing molecular biomarker assays to support translational medicine and clinical programs. This laboratory-based role focuses on PCR and NGS-based genomics and transcriptomics technologies, including gene expression profiling (GEP), genotyping, variant analysis, ctDNA, and related molecular platforms. The successful candidate will provide scientific leadership in assay strategy, technology evaluation, biomarker development, clinical sample analysis, vendor oversight, and cross-functional collaboration to generate high-quality genomics data that informs clinical trial decision-making and advances Bristol Myers Squibb's research and development pipeline.
Lead the development and implementation of genomics and transcriptomics biomarker strategies for translational medicine and clinical programs.
Select and evaluate molecular assay technologies and platforms based on program, protocol, and biological requirements.
Design, develop, optimize, qualify, validate, and execute biomarker assays supporting clinical and translational research.
Support genomic and gene expression profiling (GEP) assays, pharmacodynamic assays, target engagement assays, predictive assays, prognostic assays, and technology platform development.
Develop assay qualification and validation plans, protocols, reports, and associated technical documentation.
Generate, analyze, and interpret qualification and validation datasets to support fit-for-purpose clinical assay deployment.
Perform hands-on laboratory work utilizing PCR, qPCR, NGS, gene expression, genotyping, variant analysis, and related molecular technologies.
Troubleshoot assay performance issues and implement corrective actions to ensure assay robustness and reproducibility.
Oversee clinical sample analysis and assay execution performed internally or through external vendors.
Review assay quality control metrics, assay performance data, and study deliverables.
Serve as a subject matter expert on genomics technologies, assay performance, data quality, and biomarker strategies.
Evaluate emerging technologies, assay methodologies, sample preparation kits, and workflow improvements.
Conduct due diligence assessments and pilot studies to determine feasibility and applicability of new technologies.
Lead technology transfer activities and support implementation of new platforms and workflows.
Draft and maintain experimental plans, qualification protocols, validation reports, SOPs, work instructions, study reports, and technology transfer documents.
Collaborate closely with data analysis, biostatistics, sample management, clinical operations, project management, and other cross-functional teams.
Participate in biomarker execution teams, clinical study teams, and internal/external scientific collaborations.
Provide scientific guidance and technical expertise to functional stakeholders and program teams.
Maintain accurate and compliant records of experiments, procedures, and study activities.
Mentor junior scientists and contribute to the development of a highly efficient and innovative genomics laboratory environment.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives, operational excellence, and best practices across genomics workflows and processes.
Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences or related discipline with 8+ years of academic and/or industry experience; or
Master's degree in Life Sciences or related discipline with 6+ years of academic and/or industry experience; or
Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree in Life Sciences with 4+ years of academic and/or industry experience.
Ability and willingness to work in a laboratory environment for 100% of the work schedule.
Extensive experience with PCR, qPCR, NGS, GEP, and other genomics-based technologies.
Strong hands-on laboratory expertise in molecular assay development and execution.
Proven experience developing clinical genomics assays in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, diagnostics, or clinical laboratory settings.
Demonstrated expertise in assay development, optimization, qualification, validation, troubleshooting, and lifecycle management.
Experience overseeing assay validation activities performed internally and through external vendors.
Strong understanding of assay controls, quality control methodologies, and assay performance monitoring.
Experience supporting clinical sample analysis and biomarker-driven clinical programs.
Expertise with genomics platforms such as NGS, qPCR, gene expression profiling, genotyping, and variant analysis technologies.
Significant experience reviewing assay run metrics, QC data, and performance trends.
Hands-on experience with ctDNA technologies and gene expression profiling platforms.
Strong understanding of fit-for-purpose validation principles for clinical genomics assays.
Knowledge of genomics data structures, quality control processes, and collaboration with bioinformatics and biostatistics teams.
Experience developing and executing genomics biomarker strategies that support clinical development programs.
Familiarity with technology assessment, vendor selection, and implementation of new laboratory platforms.
Working knowledge of intellectual property considerations and contracting principles.
Excellent organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in cross-functional and matrixed organizations.
Proven leadership, mentoring, and team development capabilities.
We hire for skills and capabilities, not just credentials – if this role excites you, but doesn’t perfectly match your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway.
Princeton - NJ - US: $138,520 - $167,849
The starting pay range(s) listed above is for full-time employees (FTE). You may also be eligible for additional discretionary incentive cash and stock opportunities. We determine starting pay thoughtfully – carefully considering the nature of the role, required skills, work location, schedule and the knowledge and experience you bring. Final compensation is guided by pay equity principles and applicable employment laws. Compensation programs are reviewed on an ongoing basis and may be adjusted over time to reflect evolving market factors, and individual, team or Company performance.
Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect, you may be eligible to participate in our comprehensive benefit plans – including wellbeing support, retirement and financial protection benefits, and insurance offerings (medical, dental, vision, life and disability).
U.S.-based exempt employees are eligible for Flexible Time Off (FTO), which provides paid time off without a set accrual limit, subject to manager approval, along with 11 paid company holidays each year.
Non-exempt employees, RayzeBio employees, and employees located in Puerto Rico receive 160 hours of paid vacation annually for new hires (subject to manager approval), 11 paid company holidays, and 3 optional holidays.
Depending on eligibility, employees may also have access to additional time-off benefits, including paid sick leave, up to two paid volunteer days per year, summer hours flexibility, and leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, or military needs. Eligible employees also enjoy an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
U.S.-based job seekers can explore full benefit offerings athttps://careers.bms.com/benefits
Where you work matters – because collaboration, innovation and patient impact happen in many settings. Our roles are structured across four work models: site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design. The model assigned to this role is based on its core responsibilities. Learn more at https://careers.bms.com/ways-of-working.
BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, direct your inquiries to adastaffingsupport@bms.com. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.
BMS will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area.
For roles based in Los Angeles County only: If you live in or expect to work from Los Angeles County if hired for this position, please visit this page for important additional information: https://careers.bms.com/california-residents/
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R1605434 : Principal Scientist, Molecular Genomics
Apply on Bristol-Myers Squibb (Netherlands)’s careers page