Senior Associate Scientist

Bristol Myers Squibb • Needham, MA

1d • $106,510 - $129,059 • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Associate Scientist to join our Discovery Biotherapeutics organization in Cambridge, MA. This role will help advance high throughput, automated mammalian antibody expression capability within Discovery Biotherapeutics. The Senior Associate Scientist will operate automation‑enabled platforms that accelerate antibody discovery and engineering, including complex and multispecific biologics. Working at the interface of mammalian expression biology, laboratory automation, and software enabled workflows, this position enables scalable, integrated discovery approaches that increase speed and impact across early biologics programs. This lab-facing role offers an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful scientific contribution in support of BMS’s mission of delivering innovative medicines to patients. Experience in protein production and purification is required for this role as well as the ability to operate, troubleshoot, and help develop novel automation systems and solutions. A background in AKTA/Unicorn programming and liquid handler operation will be helpful, but the candidate must have a strong interest in automation and a proven track record of innovation and problem solving.

Requirements

• Strong background in molecular biology ie primer design, cloning, sequence analysis, and HT-PCR is required.
• BS with 4+ years; or MS with 2+ years of pharmaceutical R&D or related industry experience.
• Molecular biology background with a strong understanding of cloning and high throughput fragment DNA generation.
• Experience with HTP-scale and mid-scale protein production and operating high-throughput, automated expression workflows.
• Hands on experience in the operation and control of AKTA chromatography workstations and liquid handling systems like Lynx 1800 and Biomek i7.
• Experience in mammalian antibody expression, purification and ability to troubleshoot standard purification protocols and instrumentation.
• Strong understanding of HEK293, CHO, CFE or equivalent expression systems.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work independently while influencing cross-functional discovery of biotherapeutics, biology, automation, and engineering teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to work with a sense of urgency under tight deadlines.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with automation teams to integrate liquid handling, incubators, culture handling, and downstream processing steps is a bonus.
• The willingness to learn new workflows and work in mid-scale production / purification is desirable.
• Experience with LIMS systems and Electronic Notebook is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Discovery-stage mammalian expression of antibodies and antibody-derived formats, including IgGs, fragments, and multispecific biologics in HT-plate based workflows.
• Experience with high-throughput, automated expression and purification workflows: 4mL through 100mL scale and QC analytics for protein production including A280 protein concentration measurements, CE-SDS, SDS-PAGE, HT-anSEC, and endotoxin testing.
• Background using liquid handling systems such as Lynx 1800, Biomek i7 or equivalent and familiarity with plate-based purification schemes.
• Interface with laboratory software platforms to ensure high-quality, traceable data generation compatible with computational and ML-driven discovery. Software includes Benchling, Geneious Prime, Electronic notebook documentation.
• Collaborate with AI/ML, binder discovery, molecular interaction, and functional assay teams to support binder discovery campaigns.

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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree