Scientist, Potency and Functional Characterization

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.

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated professional to join the Cell Therapy Analytical Development team, specializing in cell line engineering and potency method development for viral vector applications. The ideal candidate will contribute to the optimization and qualification of cell-based viral vector transduction assays measured by flow cytometry and luminescent reporter genes. This position demands a strong foundation in cell culture, keen attention to detail, and enthusiasm for solving scientific challenges in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Successful candidates will demonstrate competency in these areas and contribute to breakthrough developments in cell therapy.

Key Responsibilities

• Generate monoclonal cell lines and establish cell banks by transducing cells with viral vectors, expanding the cultures, isolating monoclonal populations through cell sorting, banking the validated cell lines, and performing functional qualification using lot-release potency and flow cytometry assays. Design and execute laboratory experiments to optimize DNA/RNA transfection, viral transduction, flow cytometry and plate based potency reporter gene assay parameters and procedures to meet the pre-defined analytical target profile.
• Contribute to method qualification and transfer activities based on ICH/USP guidelines.
• Analyze complex data sets, perform data trending and visualization, and maintain detailed experimental records in ELN for reproducibility and quality assurance.
• Document cell line generation processes and experimental findings, contributing to SOPs, technical reports, and regulatory filings to ensure compliance and support innovation.
• Cultivate and maintain cell lines and primary cells essential for innovative assay development.
• Manage lab operations by overseeing inventories, scheduling equipment maintenance, and implementing process improvements for efficiency and productivity.

Qualifications & Experience

• Ph.D. in Immunology, Cell Biology, Bioengineering, or a related field with 0–3 years of industry experience; or an MS/BS with 5+ years of relevant laboratory experience.

• Proficiency in cell culture, viral vector transduction, cell line engineering, flow cytometry, and relevant analytical assays (e.g., ELISA).
• Experience with JMP and SoftmaxPro softwares is preferred. 
• Experience with vector construct design is highly desirable.
• Background in DNA/RNA transfection, viral vector transduction, and potency release method development is preferred.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced, and dynamic environment.

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.

Seattle - WA: $101,410 - $122,879

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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