Senior Principal Scientist, Cancer Immunology, Discovery Biology, Oncology Thematic Research Center

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 Oncology Thematic Research Center at BMS is one of the fundamental research and early development engines delivering oncology therapeutics to patients.  Housed in state-of-the-art research and development sites in Cambridge and Seattle and embedded in vibrant ecosystems of research and innovation.  The Oncology teams drive novel therapeutic interventions exploiting tumor intrinsic pathways and mechanisms of cancer immunology to treat tumors that are refractory to current treatments. We are fully integrated from drug discovery through translational and early clinical development using state-of-the-art in vitro, in vivo and ex-vivo models of cancer and immune biology to identify and validate novel targets and therapeutic approaches. We partner closely with colleagues in Translational Medicine, Informatics and Predictive Sciences and Early Clinical Development to generate biomarker and patient enrichment hypotheses to enable efficient decision making in early clinical trials. We are optimally positioned to complement the world-class translational expertise, biology and leading academic research centers in the area.

Position Summary:

We are seeking an innovative immunologist and leader to help shape our strategy and advance our portfolio of pioneering T cell engager and cancer immunology therapies to treat cancers. As a successful candidate you will be part of a multi-disciplinary, groundbreaking team within Discovery Biology at the Oncology Thematic Research Center in Seattle, WA, driving projects from concept to clinic, leveraging proprietary technologies and collaborating with top experts in the field.  You will work with leadership to define strategy, provide mentorship to junior scientists, and drive multi-functional teams to bring both internal and external assets to patients.  Our team thrives on creativity, rigorous science, and a shared commitment to transforming cancer care.

Position Responsibilities:

In the role as a Senior Principal Scientist within Discovery Biology, the ideal candidate will:

• Lead matrixed TCE / cancer immunology discovery teams from target concept to IND and lead/mentor a biology team supporting in vitro experimentation. 

• Deploy existing and new techniques for function-based identification and selection of lead drug candidates

• Leverage experience and insights to shape overall strategy and inform the next wave of therapeutic innovation.

• Collaborate with functional area leads e.g. pharmacology, DMPK, bioinformatics to drive programs forward, including helping to define program priorities and risks.

• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams from external partners to help drive assets forward.

• Present complex concepts to a range of audiences including governance and full team project meetings.

• Utilize excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Communicate via email, meetings, and reports.

Experience

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree

  • 10+ years of academic and / or industry experience

Or

• Master’s Degree

  • 8+ years of academic and / or industry experience

Or

• Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree in the Life Sciences  

  • 6+ years of academic and / or industry experience

• 2+ years of leadership experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree in the Life Sciences  

  • 6+ years of industry experience

  • 2+ years of leadership experience

• Experience developing novel immune therapeutic approaches for cancer including T cell redirected therapies.

• Experience leading teams charged with profiling and developing complex biologics to drive enhanced immune function in the tumor microenvironment, with a strong preference for experience in discovery of T cell engagers. 

• Experience in both high throughput screening, and biologically complex, cell based assays to drive mechanistic insight and prioritization of therapeutic leads.  Experience in interpreting in vivo functional assays. 

• Experience leading and collaborating across matrixed discovery programs from concept to IND including with immune cell engagers. 

• Experience contributing to an IND.

• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.

• Ability to efficiently manage and prioritize multiple projects, coordinating in-house research with collaborative work.

• Ability to summarize and interpret complex scientific data in a clear, concise, and accurate manner.

• Experience leading, coaching and mentoring a team of lab-based in vitro biologists.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills. 

• Ability to communicate well with peers, supervisors, and governance committees.

• Strong problem-solving skills and understanding of complex scientific principles and demonstrated experience leveraging AI to refine strategic and tactical planning.

#LI-Onsite

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.

Seattle - WA: $174,020 - $210,872

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.

Benefits:

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 at https://careers.bms.com/benefits

How We Work

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.

Supporting People with Disabilities

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 [email protected]. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

Candidate Rights

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/

Data Protection

We will never request payments, financial information, or social security numbers during our application or recruitment process. Learn more about protecting yourself at https://careers.bms.com/fraud-protection.

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

If this posting is missing required information required by local law or incorrect, contact BMS at [email protected]with the Job Title and Requisition number. Do not send application-related inquiries to this email. To check your application status, please login to your Candidate Home Account.

R1603150 : Senior Principal Scientist, Cancer Immunology, Discovery Biology, Oncology Thematic Research Center