Scientist – Histology

Bristol Myers Squibb • San Diego, CA

8d • $118,259 - $143,302 • Onsite

About The Position

RayzeBio, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bristol Myers Squibb, is seeking a hands-on Histology Scientist to join its Translational team in a laboratory-based role supporting radiopharmaceutical therapies from preclinical research through translational development and clinical testing. The role processes, embeds, and sections FFPE and frozen tissue specimens from treated preclinical models and human research tissues, and develops and executes tissue-based assays. The scientist designs, performs, troubleshoots, and interprets IHC and IF studies supporting target validation, biodistribution, pharmacodynamic, and mechanism-of-action investigations across pipeline programs.

The successful candidate will provide histology expertise to interdisciplinary teams, contribute to study design and tissue sampling strategy, and independently interpret findings and recommend next steps. The role also owns and improves internal histology capabilities and workflows, works with CROs on research assay development and data transfer, and may handle specimens containing radioactive material under applicable safety protocols. The position is on site in San Diego.

The company describes the opportunity as a chance to contribute to radiopharmaceutical research and the translation of novel therapies into clinical development. Compensation is listed at $118,259–$143,302 for full-time employees, with possible additional discretionary incentive cash and stock opportunities. Benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, retirement and financial protection benefits, flexible time off for eligible U.S.-based exempt employees, paid holidays, and other time-off benefits subject to eligibility and applicable plan terms.

Requirements

• B.S. or M.S. degree in Histotechnology, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related field.
• 8–10 years of hands-on histology experience.
• Deep expertise in histology and tissue-based assay workflows, including optimizing and troubleshooting methods and ensuring quality and reproducibility.
• Experience processing, embedding, and microtome-sectioning FFPE tissue.
• Experience preparing, processing, and sectioning cell pellets as FFPE blocks.
• Hands-on experience preparing frozen tissue and performing cryosectioning.
• Experience conducting H&E and other routine histochemical stains.
• Experience designing, conducting, troubleshooting, and interpreting IHC and IF studies on FFPE and frozen tissue sections.
• Experience operating automated tissue stainers, such as Leica systems.
• Understanding of antibody optimization, antigen retrieval methods, and appropriate staining controls.
• Ability to independently troubleshoot staining and technical issues and clearly interpret and communicate histology data.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to maintain accurate laboratory records.
• Ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary drug discovery teams.
• Experience managing and working with CROs, including study design, protocol review, data interpretation, vendor oversight, timeline management, and coordination of outsourced histology, pathology, and translational research activities.
• Ability to work with radioactive materials while strictly following radiation safety protocols, where applicable.
• Ability to independently design and optimize histology/IHC studies, interpret complex results, and recommend scientifically appropriate next steps.
• Ability to provide technical and scientific guidance to cross-functional teams and influence study design and experimental decisions within the area of expertise.
• Ability to manage multiple studies and priorities independently and drive work from study planning through data interpretation and reporting.

Nice To Haves

• HT or HTL (ASCP) certification.
• Experience with image analysis or digital pathology software, such as HALO, QuPath, Visiopharm, or ImageJ/Fiji.
• Experience with multiplex IHC/IF staining platforms.
• Familiarity with whole slide scanning and digital slide management systems.
• Experience supporting drug discovery, target validation, or biodistribution studies in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology setting.
• Experience handling radioactive materials.
• Experience establishing or expanding histology/IHC capabilities, workflows, or assay platforms.

Responsibilities

• Process, embed, and microtome-section FFPE tissue blocks.
• Prepare, process, embed, section, and stain cell pellets as FFPE blocks.
• Prepare and section frozen tissue specimens using a cryostat.
• Perform H&E and other routine histochemical staining for tissue morphology assessment and quality control.
• Design, perform, troubleshoot, and interpret IHC and IF studies on FFPE and frozen tissue sections.
• Operate and maintain automated tissue stainers to produce consistent and reproducible IHC and H&E staining.
• Optimize antibody titration, antigen retrieval, staining protocols, and appropriate positive and negative controls.
• Acquire, analyze, and interpret histology and imaging data using image analysis and digital pathology software.
• Document tissue processing, staining protocols, and experimental results rigorously.
• Collaborate with translational, in vivo, imaging, and biology teams on study design, tissue collection and preservation, assay requirements, sampling strategies, assay selection, controls, endpoints, execution, and data interpretation.
• Maintain and troubleshoot histology equipment, including microtomes, cryostats, and automated stainers, and coordinate service and calibration as needed.
• Maintain sample inventory and traceability for frozen and FFPE tissue blocks and slides, and cell samples.
• Work with external CROs on IHC research assay development, troubleshooting, data transfer, and knowledge transfer.
• Serve as the histology subject-matter expert for cross-functional teams, providing guidance on study design, assay selection and execution, data interpretation, and follow-up studies.
• Handle laboratory reagents and, where applicable, tissue specimens containing radioactive material in accordance with laboratory and regulatory guidelines.
• Independently interpret histology and IHC data and provide scientific recommendations, integrating findings with other preclinical and translational data where appropriate.
• Own and continuously improve internal research histology capabilities and histology/IHC workflows.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance offerings, subject to plan terms and eligibility.
• Retirement and financial protection benefits.
• Flexible Time Off without a set accrual limit for eligible U.S.-based exempt employees, subject to manager approval.
• 11 paid company holidays annually for eligible employees.
• For non-exempt employees, RayzeBio employees, and employees in Puerto Rico: 160 hours of paid vacation annually for new hires, subject to manager approval, 11 paid company holidays, and 3 optional holidays.
• Depending on eligibility, 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.
• Annual Global Shutdown between Christmas Day and New Year's Day for eligible employees.
• Potential eligibility for additional discretionary incentive cash and stock opportunities.

What This Job Offers

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