Senior Associate Scientist, Engineered Cell Therapy Discovery

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Position Summary:

The Engineered Cell Therapy Discovery team in the Cell Therapy Thematic Research Center has an opening for a highly motivated and creative Senior Associate Scientist with a dedication to discovery and development of novel engineered CAR T and eTCR T cell therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and other chronic diseases. The successful candidate will have experience contributing to the conceptual design and functional testing of advanced circuits engineered into CAR T cells and a track record of generating robust and reproducible datasets to drive innovative immune cell engineering projects. This position will involve interfacing with senior researchers to execute studies, analyze data and communicate results. This position is ideal for the innovative scientist who is driven and passionate about cell therapy and knows how to lead with their data to drive key decisions for drug discovery .

Position Responsibilities:

In the role as a Senior Associate Scientist, the ideal candidate:

• Independently drives key workstreams supporting development of innovative synthetic biology strategies to enhance the therapeutic index of CAR T cells in cancer and other diseases.

• Contributes to the conceptual design and functional testing of advanced logic circuits engineered into CAR T cells. Participates in go/no-go decision-making processes to drive the development of cutting-edge cell therapies.

• Develops and optimizes novel assays to quantitatively assess the biological and functional properties of novel circuits built into engineered T cells. Ensures the robustness and reproducibility of these assays to support key project milestones.

• Generates, expands, characterizes, and cryopreserves CAR T cells and eTCR T cells.

• Performs phenotypic and functional analysis of CAR and eTCR T cells using flow cytometry, IncuCyte, and other relevant methods. Analyzes data to provide insights into the performance, quality, and potential of engineered T cells.

• Actively participates in troubleshooting of routine problems and initiatives related to continuous improvement or development of new approaches/technologies. Makes decisions that require choosing between limited alternatives to resolve problems.

• Collaborates effectively with cross-functional teams. Communicates findings clearly and concisely to stakeholders at all levels.

• Maintains electronic notebooks in a rigorous and timely manner to support project milestones and patent/regulatory filings.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree

  • 4 years of academic and / or industry experience

Or

• Master’s Degree

  • 2 years of academic and / or industry experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the conceptualization and functional testing of novel synthetic biology/immunology technologies, especially related to logic gating and advanced engineering in T cells, is strongly desired

• Experience developing and using quantitative in vitro assays to drive decision-making, especially in drug development, is strongly desired

• Proficient in MSD, IncuCyte-based assays, multi-parameter flow cytometry, T cell activation assays, and T cell proliferation analysis.

• Experience with molecular biology, protein structure/function/folding, cell signaling, high throughput screening, automation (liquid handling robots), CRISPR gene editing, and/or imaging technologies is desired

• Skilled in generating, expanding, characterizing, and cryopreserving CAR T and eTCR T cells.

• Strong quantitative and analytical abilities to provide insights into engineered T cell performance.

• Excellent organizational skills for thorough and timely documentation of experiments across multiple projects. Maintains electronic notebooks rigorously.

• Ability to independently recognize potential problems and recommend/develop appropriate solutions strongly desired

• Strong communication skills for working with cross-functional teams as well as cross-departmental colleagues.

• Ability to work productively as both team member and as individual contributor

• Requires developed knowledge of the principles and concepts of biological sciences, immunology, bioengineering, or related discipline

The starting compensation for this job is a range from $100,480 - $121,800 plus incentive cash and stock opportunities (based on eligibility). 

The starting pay rate takes into account characteristics of the job, such as required skills and where the job is performed. Final, individual compensation will be decided based on demonstrated experience. 

Eligibility for specific benefits listed on our careers site may vary based on the job and location. For more on benefits, please visit our BMS Career Site. 

Benefit offerings are subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect and may include the following: Medical, pharmacy, dental and vision care. Wellbeing support such as the BMS Living Life Better program and employee assistance programs (EAP). Financial well-being resources and a 401(K). Financial protection benefits such as short- and long-term disability, life insurance, supplemental health insurance, business travel protection and survivor support. Work-life programs include paid national holidays and optional holidays, Global Shutdown days between Christmas and New Year’s holiday, up to 120 hours of paid vacation, up to two (2) paid days to volunteer, sick time off, and summer hours flexibility. Parental, caregiver, bereavement, and military leave. Family care services such as adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, fertility/infertility benefits, support for traveling mothers, and child, elder and pet care resources. Other perks like tuition reimbursement and a recognition program. 

#LI-Onsite

If you come across a role that intrigues you but doesn’t perfectly line up with your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway. You could be one step away from work that will transform your life and career.

Uniquely Interesting Work, Life-changing Careers
With a single vision as inspiring as “Transforming patients’ lives through science™ ”, every BMS employee plays an integral role in work that goes far beyond ordinary. Each of us is empowered to apply our individual talents and unique perspectives in an inclusive culture, promoting diversity in clinical trials, while our shared values of passion, innovation, urgency, accountability, inclusion and integrity bring out the highest potential of each of our colleagues.

On-site Protocol

BMS has a diverse occupancy structure that determines where an employee is required to conduct their work. This structure includes site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design jobs. The occupancy type that you are assigned is determined by the nature and responsibilities of your role:

Site-essential roles require 100% of shifts onsite at your assigned facility. Site-by-design roles may be eligible for a hybrid work model with at least 50% onsite at your assigned facility. For these roles, onsite presence is considered an essential job function and is critical to collaboration, innovation, productivity, and a positive Company culture. For field-based and remote-by-design roles the ability to physically travel to visit customers, patients or business partners and to attend meetings on behalf of BMS as directed is an essential job function.

BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, direct your inquiries to adastaffingsupport@bms.com. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

BMS cares about your well-being and the well-being of our staff, customers, patients, and communities. As a result, the Company strongly recommends that all employees be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 and keep up to date with Covid-19 boosters.

BMS will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area.

If you live in or expect to work from Los Angeles County if hired for this position, please visit this page for important additional information: https://careers.bms.com/california-residents/

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