Sr. Associate Scientist I

Bristol Myers Squibb•San Diego, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

At RayzeBio, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bristol Myers Squibb, the mission is to develop transformative radiopharmaceutical therapies for cancer patients. The company blends the agile spirit of a biotech with the resources of a leading oncology innovator. RayzeBio, headquartered in San Diego, CA, was launched in late 2020 and acquired by BMS in 2024. It operates as a standalone entity, focusing on improving cancer survival through targeted radioisotopes. RayzeBio is developing innovative drugs against solid tumor targets, with its lead asset, RYZ101, in Phase 3 testing for GEP-NETs and earlier stage testing for SCLC. The company is led by an experienced entrepreneurial team aiming to be a global leader in radiopharmaceuticals. This laboratory-based role offers an opportunity to advance novel radiopharmaceutical therapies from the lab into clinical testing. The candidate will be responsible for developing, optimizing, and transferring biochemical and cell-based assays, including equilibrium binding assays, to support target validation, compound screening, and mechanism of action studies for various pipeline projects. A strong foundation in mammalian cell culture is essential. The ideal candidate is a critical thinker and technical problem solver who enjoys interdisciplinary drug discovery teams and is willing to work with radioactive isotopes.

Requirements

BS with 3–6 years of experience or MS with 2–4+ years of experience within Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, or a related discipline with hands-on laboratory experience including cell culture and assay development.
Demonstrated expertise in mammalian cell culture with strong aseptic technique, and in vitro assay development and optimization, including equilibrium binding assays (saturation and competition formats).
Proficiency in techniques such as ELISA, MSD, flow cytometry, western blot, qPCR, and immunohistochemistry.
Experience with cell line engineering techniques (e.g., CRISPR, lentiviral transduction, stable transfection) for generating tool cell lines.
Proficiency with data analysis and visualization software (e.g., GraphPad Prism) for dose-response curve fitting and statistical evaluation of assay data.
Understanding of receptor-ligand binding theory and basic pharmacological concepts.
Excellent written and oral communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic, and collaborative environment.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to work with radioisotopes with strict adherence to radiation safety protocols.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience working on drug discovery projects in an industrial or an academic setting is preferred.
Experience with assay transfer, qualification, and troubleshooting across laboratories is highly desirable.
Experience applying AI and computational tools to enhance data analysis, automate routine workflows, and support data-driven decision-making is desirable.

Responsibilities

Maintain and expand mammalian cell lines, including the generation of overexpressing and knockout lines, for use in screening and functional assays.
Validate reagents to characterize target expression and ensure cell line quality and consistency.
Develop, optimize, and run biochemical and cell-based assays to support the screening, characterization, and lead-identification of novel RPT agents.
Support assay transfer and qualification activities, including documentation of protocols, acceptance criteria, and reproducibility assessments across teams or sites.
Work with radioactivity in various assays in strict adherence to the radiation safety protocols.
Work under the guidance of project team leaders to support the overall biology screening and evaluation plan.
Work closely with chemists, DMPK, imaging, and in vivo teams to ensure implementation of screening funnel and appropriate prioritization of experiments.
Generate, organize, and maintain meticulous records on all conducted experiments.
Independently analyze and interpret data and present experimental plans and results at project team meetings, group meetings, and company meetings.
Actively contribute to the experimental design and planning efforts to help achieve project goals under tight timelines.
Collaborate with colleagues in other functional areas including translational research and chemistry.
Assist in laboratory operation management duties.

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.
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.
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 (for all global employees full and part-time who are actively employed at and paid directly by BMS at the end of the calendar year).