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Scientist, Discovery BioSciences Oncology

Scientist, Discovery BioSciences Oncology

locationCambridge, MA, USA
PublishedPublished: 9/10/2025
Natural and Environmental Sciences
Full Time
$129,640 - $157,096

Working with Us
Challenging. Meaningful. Life-changing. Those aren’t words that are usually associated with a job. But working at Bristol Myers Squibb is anything but usual. Here, uniquely interesting work happens every day, in every department. From optimizing a production line to the latest breakthroughs in cell therapy, this is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it. You’ll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities uncommon in scale and scope, alongside high-achieving teams. Take your career farther than you thought possible.

Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives. Read more: careers.bms.com/working-with-us.

The Oncology Thematic Research Center at BMS is a key research and early development engine, responsible for the discovery and development of novel oncology therapeutics for patients. Centered at our state-of-the-art research sites in Cambridge and Seattle, scientists focus on novel targets and pathways for tumors that are refractory to current therapies. With a deep understanding of the causal human biology, we are able to leverage our multiple modality platforms to best match the modality to the mechanism and desired outcome. We are a fully integrated drug discovery through translational and early clinical development organization which exploits state-of-the-art in vitro, in vivo and ex-vivo models of Cancer biology and Immuno-oncology to identify and validate targets. We partner closely with colleagues in Translational Medicine, Informatics and Predictive Sciences and Early Clinical Development to generate biomarker and patient enrichment hypotheses to enable efficient decision making in early clinical trials. We are optimally positioned to complement the world-class translational expertise, biology and leading academic research centers in the area.

Our Bristol Myers Squibb research site in Cambridge Crossing will help us continue to deliver on our mission, positioning the company and our scientists in the heart of a vibrant ecosystem of world-class science, innovation, and business opportunities.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a highly motivated, experienced and talented Scientist to join our Discovery Biosciences team. This individual will play a key role in advancing our oncology drug discovery programs, with a focus on cancer immunology and next-generation biotherapeutic target identification, validation, mechanism of action and optimization studies. This position is heavily focused on wet lab work, contributing to cutting-edge research projects aimed at understanding cancer biology, identifying novel drug targets, and developing new therapeutic approaches. The successful candidate will bring deep scientific expertise, creative problem-solving skills and a collaborative mindset to drive impactful research.

Position Responsibilities:

In the role as a Scientist within the Discovery Biosciences team, the ideal candidate will:

  • Conduct full time laboratory-based research supporting target identification, oncology drug discovery and development
  • Strong biology skills with experience using a wide range of cellular and molecular biology techniques, 2D and 3D cell culture and manipulation of complex cellular model systems (organoid, immune and stromal cell co-culture, and cancer cells), flow cytometry, qPCR, cell proliferation assays, generating reporter assays, molecular cloning, western blotting, immunoprecipitation, ELISA, and MSD
  • Experience with in vivo oncology and/or immunology models. Animal handling is not a requirement, but the candidate should understand the strengths and weaknesses of commonly used cancer immunology models, and have experience with downstream tissue processing (dissociation, flow cytometry, IHC)
  • Strong experience developing and applying state-of-the-art gene perturbation methods (siRNA/shRNA knockdown, nucleofection, and CRISPR-mediated genome editing)
  • Design, optimize, and troubleshoot complex cell-based and in vivo assays to evaluate therapeutic candidates and understand cancer signaling pathways
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including medicinal chemistry, bioinformatics, and in vivo pharmacology, to advance project goals
  • Analyze and interpret experimental data, maintain accurate and detailed lab records, and present findings in team meetings
  • Contribute to the preparation of technical reports, publications, and presentations

Experience =

Basic Qualifications:

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

Or

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

Or

  • Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree in the Life Sciences
    • No experience necessary

Preferred Qualifications:

  • PhD and 0-4+ years of academic and / or industry experience preferred
  • Extensive experience in oncology research, with background in cancer immunology and/or biotherapeutics (e.g. ADCs, multi-specifics, and TCEs) is strongly preferred
  • Proven track record with designing and developing a variety of molecular biology and cellular assays
  • Hands on experience with functional genomics, CRISPR screens, high content imaging, flow cytometry, RNA-seq and proteomics is highly desirable
  • Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., GraphPad Prism, FlowJo) and familiarity with bioinformatics tools
  • Familiarity with querying large-scale oncology datasets (DepMap, cBioPortal, TCGA) to generate and test hypotheses
  • Effective troubleshooting skills when optimizing assays and when developing innovative methodologies

#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.

Compensation Overview:

Cambridge Crossing: $129,640 - $157,096 


The starting compensation range(s) for this role are listed above for a full-time employee (FTE) basis. Additional incentive cash and stock opportunities (based on eligibility) may be available. The starting pay rate takes into account characteristics of the job, such as required skills, where the job is performed, the employee’s work schedule, job-related knowledge, and experience. 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 https://careers.bms.com/life-at-bms/.

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.

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 a supportive culture, promoting global participation 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 an 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/

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

Salary range

  • $129,640 - $157,096