Senior Principal Scientist, ADC Oncology Discovery Biology

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 Summary:

Join our world-class ADC Discovery team and play a pivotal role in advancing next-generation oncology therapeutics. As a Senior Principal Scientist, you will lead innovative projects from concept to clinic, leveraging proprietary technologies and collaborating with top experts in the field. You’ll have the autonomy to shape scientific strategy, mentor rising talent, and make a tangible impact on patient outcomes. Our team thrives on creativity, rigorous science, and a shared commitment to transforming cancer care.

We are seeking a creative scientist leader with experience leading antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) drug discovery teams from target concept to IND filing. The successful candidate will contribute to the next wave of ADC innovation as a member of the Discovery Biology ADC Team within the Oncology Thematic Research Center at Bristol Myers Squibb in Cambridge, MA. Experience discovering novel linker-payloads beyond traditional cytotoxic linkers is preferred.

The qualified candidate should be a collaborative, highly motivated, and creative scientist capable of working across highly matrixed teams to advance drug discovery programs. They will be dedicated to leading matrixed ADC discovery project teams from the early stages/target concept through to IND filing. This individual will work with leadership and across the company to fuel the next wave of ADC innovation. They will lead a team of scientists to deliver a wide range of biology studies to include supporting ADC candidate discovery and characterization as well as collaborating with bioinformaticians and translational research scientists to deliver patient stratification strategies. Experience with surface antigen target identification and validation and/or design of linker-payloads beyond traditional cytotoxic linkers is preferred.

Position Responsibilities:

In the role as a Senior Principal Scientist within the ADC Discovery Biology team, the ideal candidate will:

• Lead highly matrixed ADC discovery teams from target concept to IND and lead/mentor a biology team supporting in vitro experimentation.
• Leverage current and new techniques for function-based identification and selection of antibody-drug-conjugate (ADC) lead drug candidates
• Leverage experience and insights to contribute to the next wave of ADC innovation, including beyond existing payload classes.
• Collaborate with functional area leads e.g. pharmacology, DMPK, bioinformatics to drive programs forward, including helping to define program priorities and risks.
• Apply extensive technical knowledge to address ADC mechanism of action and to establish PD/efficacy relationships
• Present complex concepts to a range of audiences including governance and full team project meetings.
• Utilize excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Communicate via email, meetings, and reports.

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:

• Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree in the Life Sciences
  • 6+ years of industry experience
  • 2+ years of leadership experience

• Experience profiling and developing complex biologics (i.e. bispecifics, biparatopics, masked antibodies)
• Experience profiling and developing linker-payloads delivering both cytotoxic and targeted payload classes
• Experience contributing to an IND
• Experience leading and collaborating across matrixed ADC discovery programs from concept to IND
• Experienced in the design, development and optimization of high-throughput cell-based assays for antibody screening and ADC activity
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to efficiently manage and prioritize multiple projects, coordinating in-house research with collaborative work.
• Ability to summarize and interpret complex scientific data in a clear, concise, and accurate manner.
• Experience leading, coaching and mentoring a team of lab-based in vitro biologists
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate well with peers, supervisors, and governance committees
• Strong problem-solving skills and understanding of complex scientific principles and demonstrated experience leveraging AI to refine strategic and tactical planning

#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: $181,930 - $220,451 


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/

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