Principal Scientist, Cell Line Genome Engineering

Bristol Myers Squibb•Princeton, NJ

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Bristol Myers Squibb is seeking a highly motivated and innovative scientist to join the Cell Line Genome Engineering team. The successful candidate will play a key role in developing advanced engineered cellular models to support drug discovery, contributing to a foundational capability within Lead Discovery and Optimization. In this fast-paced and collaborative environment, the individual will work across therapeutic areas and global sites to design, engineer, and validate physiologically and/or disease-relevant cellular systems that enable the initiation and progression of drug discovery programs. The candidate will also help guide project teams in selecting the most appropriate cellular models at the outset of projects to ensure strong biological alignment and maximize translational impact. This laboratory-based position requires effective collaboration with both internal teams and external academic and industry partners. The successful candidate will be expected to integrate insights from these collaborations into innovative, research-driven solutions. This role is critical to maintaining Bristol Myers Squibb’s leadership in leveraging next-generation cellular and genomic engineering approaches to transform the drug discovery process.

Requirements

Master’s degree in molecular biology, Cell Biology, Bioengineering or related fields and 6+ years of academic / industry experience OR PhD in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Bioengineering or related fields and 4+ years of academic / industry experience.
Deep and comprehensive understanding of genome biology, including gene regulation and its impact on cellular function.
Extensive hands-on and strategic experience with CRISPR-based genome engineering technologies (e.g., Cas9, Cas12a, dCas9, base-editing, prime-editing and related systems).
Extensive hands-on and strategic experience with gene delivery methods (lentiviral, AAV, electroporation, transposon).
Proven track record of leveraging these tools to build, scale, and optimize cellular models that advance discovery programs.
Demonstrated expertise in engineering and deploying diverse cellular systems, including established cell lines, primary cells, and physiologically relevant models.
Strong proficiency in genomic sequence analysis and bioinformatics, including short and long-read sequencing.
Outstanding analytical and data interpretation skills.
Demonstrated ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment.
Excellent communication skills, with a track record of effectively presenting complex concepts, shaping discussions, and influencing stakeholders at multiple levels of the organization.
A strong record of scientific innovation, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to adopting and advancing cutting-edge technologies.
Clear drive to translate new approaches into impactful solutions that enhance drug discovery and benefit patients.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Bioengineering, or a related field, with strong postdoctoral or industry experience preferred, with 5+ years or MS with 8+ years of industry experience.
Expertise in emerging functional genomics technologies.
Demonstrated ability to implement and adapt these approaches to advance cell line engineering strategies.
Ability to translate cutting-edge concepts into practical, scalable solutions.
Experience/familiarity with high-content imaging and cell painting and their application in drug discovery.
Experience integrating emerging approaches such as AI-guided cell line engineering, including the application of computational models to design, prioritize, and interpret genetic perturbations and cellular phenotypes.
Demonstrated expertise in the design and generation of genetically engineered cellular systems (e.g., knockouts, knock-ins, targeted insertions, overexpression) using a range of approaches including CRISPR-based editing, viral delivery systems, and transposon-based technologies, with the ability to apply these strategically to drug discovery challenges.
Deep cell biology expertise, including extensive experience culturing and engineering diverse cellular systems such as cancer cell lines, primary cells, and iPSC-derived models.
Experience applying genome editing in iPSC and/or primary cell systems to generate physiologically and disease-relevant cellular models is highly desirable.
Strong experience with next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms (e.g., Illumina MiSeq, NextSeq) and downstream analysis workflows, including clonal characterization, sequence validation, and interpretation of complex genomic datasets.
Experience with quantitative molecular biology techniques such as ddPCR, TaqMan, or related assays, with the ability to apply these methods for precise characterization of engineered systems.
A track record of scientific innovation, evidenced by impactful publications, patents, or contributions to advancing technologies in genome engineering or related fields.
Demonstrated excellence in written and verbal communication, with the ability to clearly articulate complex scientific concepts and influence cross-functional stakeholders.
Proven ability to thrive in and contribute to highly collaborative, matrixed environments, with experience working across disciplines to advance drug discovery programs.
Working knowledge of the drug discovery and development process, with an understanding of how cellular models inform target validation, hit identification, and lead optimization.
Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize, manage multiple complex projects, and deliver high-quality results in a dynamic environment.
Experience or interest in integrating emerging approaches such as AI/ML-driven analyses or AI-guided cell line engineering to enhance experimental design, model selection, and interpretation of biological data.

Responsibilities

Design, engineer, and validate physiologically and/or disease-relevant cellular systems.
Guide project teams in selecting the most appropriate cellular models.
Integrate insights from collaborations into innovative, research-driven solutions.
Apply knowledge of genome biology to design and guide strategy for engineered cellular systems in drug discovery.
Leverage CRISPR-based genome engineering technologies and gene delivery methods to build, scale, and optimize cellular models.
Engineer and deploy diverse cellular systems, including established cell lines, primary cells, and physiologically relevant models.
Guide project teams in selecting appropriate model systems for specific discovery questions.
Perform genomic sequence analysis and bioinformatics, including short and long-read sequencing.
Integrate emerging approaches such as AI-guided cell line engineering.
Derive actionable biological insights from complex, multi-dimensional datasets.
Influence scientific and strategic decisions.
Lead and influence cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment.
Manage projects across disciplines, therapeutic areas, and geographic locations.
Continuously learn beyond core expertise and apply these across drug discovery programs.
Effectively present complex concepts, shape discussions, and influence stakeholders at multiple levels of the organization.
Translate new approaches into impactful solutions that enhance drug discovery and benefit patients.

Benefits

Medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision care.
BMS Well-Being Account, BMS Living Life Better, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).
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.
Flexible time off (unlimited, with manager approval).
11 paid national holidays (not applicable to employees in Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico or Rayzebio employees).
160 hours annual paid vacation for new hires with manager approval (Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico and Rayzebio Exempt, Non-Exempt, Hourly Employees).
11 national holidays (Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico and Rayzebio Exempt, Non-Exempt, Hourly Employees).
3 optional holidays (Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico and Rayzebio Exempt, Non-Exempt, Hourly Employees).
Unlimited paid sick time (based on eligibility).
Up to 2 paid volunteer days per year (based on eligibility).
Summer hours flexibility (based on eligibility).
Leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, and military needs.
Annual Global Shutdown between Christmas and New Years Day.