Senior Associate Scientist - Engineered Cell Therapy Discovery

About the role

The Cell Therapy Thematic Research Center is one of Bristol Myers Squibb’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. The ideal candidate will contribute to the discovery and development of next-generation, engineered cell-based therapies.

Responsibilities

• Applies strong immunological knowledge to the design, execution, and interpretation of studies evaluating engineered T cell CAR/eTCR constructs, novel payloads/gene editing across diverse biological conditions.
• Contributes to screening strategies that assess engineered T cell constructs and functional responses leveraging automation where applicable, enabling data-driven prioritization of candidates.
• Performs fine-detailed, nuanced mechanistic studies to interrogate engineered T cell function using multiparametric immune profiling approaches, including assessment of activation, exhaustion, memory, and effector phenotypes.
• Analyzes and interprets complex datasets from cellular, molecular, and functional assays to identify biological trends, support hypothesis generation, guide experimental follow-up, and enable data-driven prioritization of candidates.
• Develops and optimizes novel assays to quantitatively assess the biological and functional properties of novel synthetic biology in engineered T cells. Ensures the robustness and reproducibility of these assays to support key project milestones.
• Generates and cryopreserves CAR T cells and eTCR T cells with complex genetic engineering approaches.
• Participates in troubleshooting activities related to the evolution of new approaches/technologies.
• Collaborates effectively with cross-functional teams. Communicates findings clearly and concisely to stakeholders at all levels.
• Maintains electronic notebooks in a rigorous and timely manner to support project milestones and patent/regulatory filings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences, Immunology, Bioengineering, or related discipline with 4+ years of academic and/or industry experience.
• Master’s Degree in Biological Sciences, Immunology, Bioengineering, or related discipline with 2+ years of academic and/or industry experience.
• Required developed knowledge of the principles and concepts of biological sciences, immunology, bioengineering, or related discipline.
• Experience developing and using quantitative in vitro assays to drive decision-making, especially in the drug development context, is strongly desired.
• Experience with automation platforms, including liquid handling systems or related technologies, in a high-throughput screening context is strongly desired.
• Experience analyzing and visualizing complex biological datasets using software such as JMP, R, or similar quantitative analysis tools is preferred.
• Familiarity with data handling and analysis best practices for screening, multiparametric flow cytometry, or other higher-content assay platforms.
• Proficiency in MSD, IncuCyte-based assays, multi-parameter flow cytometry, and/or high-content imaging technologies is strongly desired.
• Skilled in generating, expanding, characterizing, and cryopreserving CAR T and eTCR T cells.
• Experience with antibody discovery and molecular biology is preferred.
• Excellent organizational skills for thorough and timely documentation of experiments across multiple projects. Maintains electronic notebooks rigorously.
• Ability to independently recognize potential problems and recommend/develop appropriate solutions strongly desired.
• Strong communication skills for working with cross-functional teams as well as cross-departmental colleagues.
• Ability to work productively as both team member and as individual contributor.