Principal Scientist, Cell Line Genome Engineering

About the role

We are seeking a highly motivated and innovative scientist to join the Cell Line Genome Engineering team at Bristol Myers Squibb. The successful candidate will play a key role in developing advanced engineered cellular models to support drug discovery, contributing to a foundational capability within Lead Discovery and Optimization. In this fast-paced and collaborative environment, the individual will work across therapeutic areas and global sites to design, engineer, and validate physiologically and/or disease-relevant cellular systems that enable the initiation and progression of drug discovery programs. The candidate will also guide project teams in selecting the most appropriate cellular models at the outset of projects to ensure strong biological alignment and maximize translational impact.

Responsibilities

• Design, engineer, and validate physiologically and/or disease-relevant cellular systems to advance drug discovery programs.
• Guide project teams in selecting appropriate cellular models to ensure biological alignment and translational impact.
• Apply expertise in genome biology and CRISPR-based genome engineering technologies (e.g., Cas9, Cas12a, dCas9, base-editing, prime-editing) to build and optimize cellular models.
• Utilize gene delivery methods (lentiviral, AAV, electroporation, transposon) to develop scalable cellular systems.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external academic/industry partners to integrate insights into research-driven solutions.
• Leverage high-content imaging, cell painting, and genomic sequence analysis (short and long-read sequencing) for rigorous experimental design and validation.
• Apply AI-guided cell line engineering and computational models to design, prioritize, and interpret genetic perturbations and cellular phenotypes.
• Derive actionable biological insights from complex, multi-dimensional datasets to influence scientific and strategic decisions.
• Lead and influence cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment, managing projects across disciplines, therapeutic areas, and geographic locations.

Requirements

• Deep and comprehensive understanding of genome biology, including gene regulation and its impact on cellular function.
• Extensive hands-on and strategic experience with CRISPR-based genome engineering technologies and gene delivery methods.
• Demonstrated expertise in engineering and deploying diverse cellular systems, including established cell lines, primary cells, and physiologically relevant models.
• Experience with high-content imaging, cell painting, and their application in drug discovery.
• Strong proficiency in genomic sequence analysis and bioinformatics, including short and long-read sequencing.
• Experience integrating emerging approaches such as AI-guided cell line engineering.
• Outstanding analytical and data interpretation skills, with the ability to derive actionable biological insights from complex datasets.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment.
• Excellent communication skills, with a track record of effectively presenting complex concepts and influencing stakeholders.
• Strong record of scientific innovation, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to adopting cutting-edge technologies.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Bioengineering, or related fields and 6+ years of academic/industry experience, OR
• PhD in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Bioengineering, or related fields and 4+ years of academic/industry experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Bioengineering, or a related field, with 5+ years of postdoctoral or industry experience, or MS with 8+ years of industry experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and generating genetically engineered cellular systems using CRISPR-based editing, viral delivery, and transposon-based technologies.
• Deep cell biology expertise, including experience culturing and engineering cancer cell lines, primary cells, and iPSC-derived models.
• Strong experience with next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms and downstream analysis workflows.
• Experience with quantitative molecular biology techniques such as ddPCR or TaqMan.
• Track record of scientific innovation, evidenced by publications, patents, or contributions to advancing genome engineering technologies.
• Proven ability to thrive in collaborative, matrixed environments and work across disciplines to advance drug discovery programs.
• Working knowledge of the drug discovery and development process.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple complex projects.
• Experience or interest in integrating AI/ML-driven analyses or AI-guided cell line engineering.

Benefits

• Health Coverage: Medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision care.
• Wellbeing Support Programs: BMS Well-Being Account, BMS Living Life Better, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).
• Financial Well-being and Protection: 401(k) plan, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, accident insurance, supplemental health insurance, business travel protection, personal liability protection, identity theft benefit, legal support, and survivor support.
• Work-life Benefits:
  • Paid Time Off:
    • US Exempt Employees: Flexible time off (unlimited, with manager approval) and 11 paid national holidays (not applicable to employees in Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico, or Rayzebio).
    • Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico, and Rayzebio Exempt/Non-Exempt/Hourly Employees: 160 hours annual paid vacation for new hires with manager approval, 11 national holidays, and 3 optional holidays.
  • Additional time off for eligible employees, including unlimited paid sick time, up to 2 paid volunteer days per year, summer hours flexibility, leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, and military needs, and an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Pay

Princeton, NJ - US: $135,800 - $164,563 (full-time employee basis). Additional incentive cash and stock opportunities may be available based on eligibility. The starting pay rate accounts for required skills, job location, work schedule, and relevant experience. Final compensation will be determined based on demonstrated experience.

Schedule

This role follows an on-site protocol based on occupancy structure:

• Site-essential roles: Require 100% of shifts onsite at the assigned facility.
• Site-by-design roles: May be eligible for a hybrid work model with at least 50% onsite at the assigned facility.