Scientist Nucleic Acids Computational Biology

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.

About the role

BMS is committed to enhancing global health by unleashing the full potential of RNA medicines to treat human disease in ways that were not previously possible. To achieve this vision, BMS is developing a first-in-kind RNA platform that integrates both established and emerging technologies and delivery mechanisms, excluding RNAi. The platform is engineered to extend the durability and half-life of BMS’s novel RNA therapeutics and to broaden their delivery to a wider range of cell types and tissues. As BMS’s RNA platform grows, it will continue to invest in expanding its platform capabilities and underlying technologies.

We are seeking a highly motivated and innovative scientist to drive advances at the interface of RNA biology, computational modeling, and machine learning. In this role, you will design and implement cutting-edge computational approaches to uncover RNA structure–function relationships and to support discovery and development programs across the organization. You will work with complex datasets and build computational tools that provide high-throughput, data-driven insights to accelerate next-generation mRNA medicines.

The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in RNA biology, is proficient with RNA secondary structure analysis tools, and has hands-on programming experience in languages such as Python or R. You will work extensively in cloud-based, high-performance computing environments and apply modern software engineering practices to deliver robust, scalable, and well-documented computational solutions. This is a highly collaborative role, requiring close partnership with both wet-lab and dry-lab teams. You will manage multiple dynamic projects, help shape scientific strategy, and clearly communicate findings to diverse stakeholders. A strong track record of impactful research—demonstrated by publications or patent contributions—is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Build and implement custom mRNA optimization strategies to fine tune expression, stability, and immunogenicity, and function of the RNA payload.
• Innovate on mRNA designs by utilizing scientific literature to implement novel design principles.
• Collaborate within the RNA sciences team to generate and analyze NGS data from RNA structure probing and other RNA biology-directed experiments such as SHAPE-MaP, DMS-MaP, ribosome profiling, RIP-seq etc.
• Lead cross‑functional collaboration with experimental biologists, molecular biologists, and therapeutic project teams to design studies, set experimental priorities, and validate computational discoveries.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree + 5+ years of academic/industry experience
• Or Master's Degree + 3+ years of academic/industry experience
• Or PhD with no experience required

Qualifications

• Ph.D. +1 years in Computational Biology, Physics, Computer Sciences or related field.
• Experience with diverse RNA sequencing modalities beyond standard RNA-seq (e.g., ribosome profiling, CLIP-seq, single-cell RNA-seq, SHAPE-seq, spatial transcriptomics).
• Experience in applying AI/ML models to NGS datasets to elucidate RNA biology.
• Utilization of computational modeling to evaluate nucleic acid functions.
• Ability to dissect RNA secondary structure prediction concepts and computational tools highly preferred.
• Experience with one or more programming or scripting languages such as Python and R.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms and high-performance computing environments.

Benefits

All eligible employees receive a competitive package that includes:

• Compensation, discretionary bonus, Incentive Stock Options, and the opportunity to participate in the Company’s 401k plan.
• Health, dental, and vision benefits, life and disability insurance benefits, and voluntary benefits.
• Non-accrual paid time off, company shutdown for holidays, and free parking.
• Opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art building in Cambridge.

Our benefits include:

• Health Coverage: Medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision care.
• Wellbeing Support: Programs such as 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), 11 paid national holidays (not applicable to employees in Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico, or Rayzebio employees).
    • 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.
  • Based on eligibility, additional time off for employees may include 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

Cambridge - MA - US: $141,150 - $171,042

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.

Schedule

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.