Scientific Director

At Bristol Myers Squibb, our employees often ask, “Who are you working for?”—a question that fuels collaboration, accountability, and urgency in our work. Our purpose-driven culture inspires us to discover, develop, and deliver innovative medicines to prevail over serious diseases. We offer uniquely interesting and meaningful work, opportunities for growth, and a supportive environment that values inclusion, wellbeing, flexibility, and comprehensive benefits. This is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it.

Job Summary

Experienced medicinal chemist who is seeking to lead and contribute to the drug discovery portfolio in the Protein Homeostasis Thematic Research Center in our San Diego Discovery Chemistry group.

 

We are seeking a talented and highly motivated individual with a strong background in medicinal chemistry to join our Global Discovery Chemistry, Therapeutic Discovery Sciences team in San Diego. The successful candidate will contribute and lead a team of scientists that engage in rational design of new agents for the potential treatment of diverse oncology indications. The individual will apply modern drug design principles to solve medicinal chemistry problems relevant to the Protein Homeostasis Thematic Research Center project portfolio in collaboration with a broad group of scientists.

 

Responsibilities

 

• Lead end-to-end medicinal chemistry programs from discovery through IND, driving strategy, execution, and delivery of high-impact oncology assets
• Design and advance novel compounds using state-of-the-art drug design approaches, integrating structural biology, ADME, and computational insights
• Partner across multidisciplinary teams to accelerate decision-making, shape portfolio strategy, and deliver transformative therapeutics
• Build, mentor, and lead high-performing scientific teams, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and scientific excellence within and outside direct reporting lines
• Clearly articulate program strategy, data, opportunities, and risks to senior leadership and key stakeholders
• As a member of the San Diego Chemistry Leadership team, drive the scientific, strategic, and operational direction of the San Diego medicinal chemistry organization, including portfolio prioritization, resource allocation, talent development, and representation in senior leadership decision-making

 

Basic qualifications

• Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry with 8+ years pharmaceutical medicinal chemistry industrial experience
• M.S. in synthetic organic chemistry with 12+ years pharmaceutical medicinal chemistry industrial experience
• B.S. in synthetic organic chemistry with 15+ years pharmaceutical medicinal chemistry industrial experience
• 6+ years of program leadership experience in all drug discovery phases from program initiation to development candidate identification
• Excellent communication skills, including the presentation of strategy, key data, issues and accomplishments to other members of the organization.
• Experience in the field of protein degradation or induced proximity a plus

 

 

Preferred qualifications

• Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry with 12+ years pharmaceutical medicinal chemistry industrial experience
• 6+ years of program leadership experience in all drug discovery phases
• Chemistry group leadership of 5+ team members as direct and indirect reports

#LI-Onsite

We hire for skills and capabilities, not just credentials – if this role excites you, but doesn’t perfectly match your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway.

San Diego - CA - US: $231,630 - $280,675

The starting pay range(s) listed above is for full-time employees (FTE). You may also be eligible for additional discretionary incentive cash and stock opportunities. We determine starting pay thoughtfully – carefully considering the nature of the role, required skills, work location, schedule and the knowledge and experience you bring. Final compensation is guided by pay equity principles and applicable employment laws. Compensation programs are reviewed on an ongoing basis and may be adjusted over time to reflect evolving market factors, and individual, team or Company performance.

Benefits:

Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect, you may be eligible to participate in our comprehensive benefit plans – including wellbeing support, retirement and financial protection benefits, and insurance offerings (medical, dental, vision, life and disability).

U.S.-based exempt employees are eligible for Flexible Time Off (FTO), which provides paid time off without a set accrual limit, subject to manager approval, along with 11 paid company holidays each year.

Non-exempt employees, RayzeBio employees, and employees located in Puerto Rico receive 160 hours of paid vacation annually for new hires (subject to manager approval), 11 paid company holidays, and 3 optional holidays.

Depending on eligibility, employees may also have access to additional time-off benefits, including 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. Eligible employees also enjoy an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

U.S.-based job seekers can explore full benefit offerings at https://careers.bms.com/benefits

How We Work

Where you work matters – because collaboration, innovation and patient impact happen in many settings. Our roles are structured across four work models: site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design. The model assigned to this role is based on its core responsibilities. Learn more at https://careers.bms.com/ways-of-working.

Supporting People with Disabilities

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.

Candidate Rights

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

For roles based in Los Angeles County only:  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/

For roles based in Washington State only: If you live in or expect to work from Washington State if hired for this position, please visit this page for important information about the Washington Fair Chance Act.

Data Protection

We will never request payments, financial information, or social security numbers during our application or recruitment process. Learn more about protecting yourself at https://careers.bms.com/fraud-protection.

Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.

If this posting is missing required information required by local law or incorrect, contact BMS at TAEnablement@bms.comwith the Job Title and Requisition number. Do not send application-related inquiries to this email. To check your application status, please login to your Candidate Home Account.

R1608190 : Scientific Director