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

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.

The Cell Therapy Thematic Research Center is one of BMS’s differentiated research platforms delivering innovative therapies to patients. Our mission is to drive leadership in the use of cellular therapies to harness the power of the immune system in treating hematologic malignancies, solid cancers, and autoimmune disease. More specifically, our discovery and translational scientists are focused on developing next-generation, engineered cell-based therapies. The team is committed to discovering and developing transformative therapies that harness the power of the immune system to improve patient outcomes.

 

Position Summary

Cell Therapy Translational Research is seeking a scientific leader to direct the Molecular Assays & Genomics team in Seattle. This team develops and implements molecular biomarker assays that support translational research, clinical development, and patient-safety assessments across an evolving portfolio of cell and gene therapy programs. The successful candidate will combine deep molecular and genomics expertise with strong scientific judgment, people leadership, and experience advancing fit-for-purpose assays into clinical use.

 

Position Responsibilities:

The Senior Principal Scientist, Molecular Assays & Genomics Team Lead within Cell Therapy Translational Research will:

• 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, owning assay strategy, scientific standards, and capability development within the Molecular Assays & Genomics platform.
• Translate key translational and safety questions into fit-for-purpose molecular and genomic assay approaches that support program decisions and pipeline development across the Cell Therapy portfolio.
• 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.
• Provide scientific oversight of assay design, performance, data quality, technical interpretation, and issue resolution to ensure reliable and decision-ready results.
• Evaluate internal and external laboratory capabilities and provide leadership for laboratory selection, assay placement, technical scopes of work, performance oversight, and troubleshooting.
• Lead molecular testing approaches supporting cell and gene therapy development, including cellular persistence, pharmacodynamic and exploratory biomarkers, vector or transgene detection, clonality, genomic characterization, and investigation of safety-related events.
• Assess and advance new molecular and genomic technologies that address evolving portfolio needs, strengthen cross-program consistency, and expand future capabilities.
• Represent the Molecular Assays & Genomics function, communicate scientific recommendations, risks, and decisions to cross-functional stakeholders.
• Foster a culture of scientific rigor, innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

 

Experience =

 

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree
  • 10+ years of academic and / or industry experience

Or

• Master’s Degree
  • 8+ years of academic and / or industry experience

Or

• Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree in the Life Sciences  
  • 6+ years of academic and / or industry experience

 

• 2+ years of leadership experience

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in molecular biology, molecular genetics, genomics, or a related life sciences discipline with 6+ years of relevant industry experience or Master’s with 8+ 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.

#LI-Hybrid

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.

Seattle - WA: $176,050 - $213,334

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.

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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.

R1607769 : Senior Principal Scientist, Molecular Assays & Genomics Team Lead (Cell Therapy Translational Research)