Scientist, Cell Therapy Process Development (In Vivo CAR-T)

Bristol Myers Squibb • Seattle, WA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Cell Therapy Thematic Research Center is one of BMS’s differentiated research platforms delivering innovative therapies to patients. Our mission is to drive leadership in the use of cellular therapies to harness the power of the immune system in treating hematologic malignancies, solid cancers, and autoimmune disease. More specifically, our discovery and translational scientists are focused on developing next-generation, engineered cell-based therapies. The team is committed to discovering and developing transformative therapies that harness the power of the immune system to improve patient outcomes. Within CT TRC, the Cell Therapy Process Research and Engineering (CT-PRE) team works at the exciting interface of engineered T-cell biology and cell therapy process development, in close collaboration with colleagues across the Research and Development organizations, with the goal of advancing novel innovative platforms from early concept design towards implementation for pipeline assets.

The CT‑PRE team is seeking a Scientist to help translate next‑generation cell therapies from early research into robust development platforms. The Scientist will design and execute laboratory experiments both independently and collaboratively, contributing to a highly interactive, matrixed, agile, team‑driven environment. The ideal candidate will have prior industry experience with process development, preferably in viral vector production for CAR-T therapy.

In the role as a Scientist within the CT-PRE team, the ideal candidate will apply scientific principles to develop scalable processes to enable in vivo CAR-T therapy platforms. This includes: Designing and conducting laboratory experiments to evaluate gene delivery and cell engineering strategies for CAR-T manufacturing feasibility Leading workstreams and experiments focused on the optimization and implementation of scalable lentiviral vector production for in vivo CAR-T therapy platforms Documenting experimental workflows, results, and deviations in electronic laboratory notebooks to ensure reproducibility and process understanding Performing data analysis and communicating findings clearly to enable informed decision‑making by research and development teams Participating in cross‑functional project teams and effectively communicating CT‑PRE activities, data, and recommendations Collaborating closely with team members to coordinate experimental execution and deliver study outcomes Training and mentoring junior team members as appropriate Demonstrating strong scientific rigor through critical thinking, problem‑solving, troubleshooting, and attention to detail

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree 5+ years of academic and / or industry experience
• Or Master’s Degree 3+ years of academic and / or industry experience
• Or Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree in the Life Sciences

Nice To Haves

• Experience with viral vector process development, including upstream production (e.g., suspension culture, transfection parameters, bioreactor scale‑up) and downstream purification and concentration strategies
• Experience developing and optimizing bioprocesses that are intentionally designed for scalability into STR culture and manufacturability
• Strong understanding of viral transduction mechanisms, tropism and integration
• Proficiency with aseptic mammalian cell culture, preferably including primary T cell culture, activation and expansion
• Familiarity with analytical characterization and critical quality attributes for an in vivo CAR-T drug product (titer, purity, potency, sterility)
• Understanding of T-cell biology and immunology relevant to CAR-T – activation, transduction efficiency, phenotype and functional assays
• Experience with T-cell manufacturing workflows – apheresis material handling, activation, gene delivery, expansion, formulation
• Understanding of statistical design of experiments methodology and data analysis for process optimization
• Familiarity with lipid nanoparticle (LNP) or other nanoparticle-based delivery systems for in vivo and/or ex vivo T-cell targeting and engineering
• Knowledge of, or hands-on experience with, site-specific gene-editing (preferably CRISPR-Cas, base or prime editing) technologies
• Working knowledge of analyzing and interpreting data from flow-based cellular, and PCR/sequencing based molecular assays
• Awareness of incorporation of cell-targeting ligands in vectors, for in vivo T-cell, or organ-selective targeting
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for exchanging technical and scientific information with cross‑functional teams
• A collaborative team player who can effectively multi-task as well as excel independently in a fast‑paced, dynamic and innovative environment

Responsibilities

• Designing and conducting laboratory experiments to evaluate gene delivery and cell engineering strategies for CAR-T manufacturing feasibility
• Leading workstreams and experiments focused on the optimization and implementation of scalable lentiviral vector production for in vivo CAR-T therapy platforms
• Documenting experimental workflows, results, and deviations in electronic laboratory notebooks to ensure reproducibility and process understanding
• Performing data analysis and communicating findings clearly to enable informed decision‑making by research and development teams
• Participating in cross‑functional project teams and effectively communicating CT‑PRE activities, data, and recommendations
• Collaborating closely with team members to coordinate experimental execution and deliver study outcomes
• Training and mentoring junior team members as appropriate
• Demonstrating strong scientific rigor through critical thinking, problem‑solving, troubleshooting, and attention to detail

Benefits

• Health Coverage: Medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision care.
• Wellbeing 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 US Exempt Employees: flexible time off (unlimited, with manager approval, 11 paid national holidays (not applicable to employees in Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico or Rayzebio employees) Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico and Rayzebio Exempt, Non-Exempt, Hourly Employees: 160 hours annual paid vacation for new hires with manager approval, 11 national holidays, and 3 optional holidays Based on eligibility, 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 Years Day. All global employees full and part-time who are actively employed at and paid directly by BMS at the end of the calendar year are eligible to take advantage of the Global Shutdown.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level