Senior Principal Scientist, Molecular Assays & Genomics Team Lead (Cell Therapy Translational Research)

Bristol Myers Squibb • Seattle, WA

6d

About The Position

Bristol Myers Squibb’s Cell Therapy Translational Research group is seeking a scientific leader to direct its Molecular Assays & Genomics team in Seattle. The team develops and implements molecular biomarker assays supporting translational research, clinical development, and patient-safety assessments across cell and gene therapy programs. The role combines molecular and genomics expertise with scientific judgment, people leadership, and experience advancing fit-for-purpose assays into clinical use.

The team lead provides scientific direction and people leadership, owns assay strategy and scientific standards for the Molecular Assays & Genomics platform, and translates translational and safety questions into assay approaches that support program decisions and pipeline development. The role leads assay development, qualification or validation, transfer, clinical implementation, and lifecycle management across DNA- and RNA-based technologies. It also provides technical oversight, evaluates internal and external laboratory capabilities, and advances technologies to meet portfolio needs.

The role works with translational program leads, translational safety, and other cross-functional stakeholders. Molecular testing applications include cellular persistence, pharmacodynamic and exploratory biomarkers, vector or transgene detection, clonality, genomic characterization, and investigation of safety-related events. The team lead communicates scientific recommendations and risks and fosters scientific rigor, innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 10 or more years of academic and/or industry experience; or master’s degree and 8 or more years; or Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree in Life Sciences and 6 or more years.
• At least 2 years of leadership experience.

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. in molecular biology, molecular genetics, genomics, or a related life sciences discipline with 6 or more years of relevant industry experience, or a master’s degree with 8 or more years of relevant industry experience.
• Significant experience developing and implementing clinical molecular or genomic assays for translational research in pharmaceutical or biotechnology settings.
• Demonstrated expertise with DNA- and RNA-based technologies such as ddPCR, next-generation sequencing, or related molecular platforms.
• Experience leading fit-for-purpose assay development, qualification or validation, transfer, and clinical implementation, including application to diverse clinical sample types.
• Experience applying molecular assays to translational research, exploratory clinical endpoints, or patient-safety assessments; cell and gene therapy experience is strongly preferred.
• Understanding of genomic applications such as whole-genome sequencing, integration site analysis, vector or transgene detection, TCR sequencing, targeted mutation testing, or clonality assessment.
• Knowledge of assay validation principles and experience working with CAP/CLIA, GCLP, GLP, or similarly controlled laboratories.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical teams, mentoring scientists, setting scientific priorities, and influencing decisions in a matrixed environment through effective communication and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Molecular Assays & Genomics team, providing scientific direction, people leadership, portfolio prioritization, mentoring, and talent development.
• Serve as the department subject matter expert for molecular and genomic testing; own assay strategy, scientific standards, and capability development within the platform.
• Translate translational and safety questions into fit-for-purpose molecular and genomic assay approaches that support program decisions and pipeline development.
• Lead assay development, qualification or validation, transfer, clinical implementation, and lifecycle management across DNA- and RNA-based technologies.
• Provide scientific and technical leadership across q/ddPCR, RT-qPCR, next-generation sequencing, gene-expression profiling, and emerging molecular platforms.
• Partner with Translational Program Leads, Translational Safety, and other stakeholders to align molecular assessments with program objectives.
• Oversee assay design, performance, data quality, technical interpretation, and issue resolution to ensure reliable, decision-ready results.
• Evaluate internal and external laboratory capabilities and lead laboratory selection, assay placement, technical scopes of work, performance oversight, and troubleshooting.
• Lead molecular testing approaches for cellular persistence, pharmacodynamic and exploratory biomarkers, vector or transgene detection, clonality, genomic characterization, and investigation of safety-related events in cell and gene therapy development.
• Assess and advance molecular and genomic technologies to address portfolio needs, strengthen cross-program consistency, and expand future capabilities.
• Represent the Molecular Assays & Genomics function and communicate scientific recommendations, risks, and decisions to cross-functional stakeholders.
• Foster scientific rigor, innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefit plans, including wellbeing support, retirement and financial protection benefits, and medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance offerings, subject to plan terms and eligibility.
• Flexible Time Off without a set accrual limit for eligible U.S.-based exempt employees, subject to manager approval.
• Paid company holidays: 11 per year.
• Paid vacation for eligible non-exempt employees, RayzeBio employees, and employees located in Puerto Rico: 160 hours annually for new hires, subject to manager approval.
• Three optional holidays for eligible non-exempt employees, RayzeBio employees, and employees located in Puerto Rico.
• Depending on eligibility, paid sick leave, up to two paid volunteer days per year, summer-hours flexibility, and medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, or military leaves of absence.
• Eligible employees may receive an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
• May be eligible for discretionary incentive cash and stock opportunities.

What This Job Offers

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