Bristol Myers Squibb

Senior Clinical Trial Physician, Rheumatology

Princeton - NJ - US Full time

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.

Clinical Trial Physician, Rheumatology, Cell Therapy

The Clinical Trial Physician, Rheumatology, is the primary source of medical accountability and oversight for one or more clinical trials within the Global Drug Development organization.  This position will provide the candidate an opportunity to significantly change the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as lupus, scleroderma, inflammatory myositis and/or rheumatoid arthritis with CAR-T cell therapy.  The incumbent will be accountable, alongside the Clinical Development Program Lead, for the development of differentiated and strategic CDPs from phase 2-3 and potentially through to registrational execution. They will be foundational in working with teams in Research, Early and Late Development, providing insights into biology, translational elements, as well as overall benefit risk assessments. This role includes support of cross-portfolio activities in line with Clinical Excellence, including Protocol Review Committee, support of Business Development activities and Quality and compliance leadership.

The Clinical Trial Physician sits within Clinical Development, which is a global organization dedicated to the effective design and execution of drug development. Clinical Development drives clinical development strategy, design, execution, and interpretation of clinical trials enabling market applications. The CTP will report directly to the Clinical Development Program Lead.

Key Responsibilities
• Serves as a primary source of medical accountability and oversight for multiple clinical trials or a single trial with significant complexity within the respective the rheumatologic, autoimmune indications (lupus, scleroderma, myositis, rheumatoid arthritis)

• Work closely with hematology/oncology physicians to coordinate CAR-T cell therapy treatment in the context of autoimmune disease

• Supervises the development, monitoring, analysis, and interpretation of clinical trials and will supervise and have accountability for the clinical components of regulatory filings.

• Will contribute to overall Therapeutic Area disease strategy while ensuring an overall portfolio view

• Provides strategic insights into the clinical development plans

• Provides medical and scientific expertise to cross-functional BMS colleagues

• Matrix management responsibilities across the internal and external network

• Manages Phase 2 to Phase 3 clinical studies, with demonstrated decision-making capabilities

• This role will include above disease / indication strategy work (i.e. Disease / Indication Strategy teams)

• The role will be foundational in working with teams in Research, Early and Late Development teams to support ID 4/5 and POC transitions, providing insights into biology, translational elements as well as overall benefit risk assessments

• The role includes support of across portfolio activities in line with Clinical Excellence, including e.g. Protocol Review Committee, support of Business Development activities and Quality and Compliance leadership

Clinical Development Expertise & Strategy:

• A Clinical Trial Physician is a tenured drug developer who can independently design and construct clinical development plans and protocols with a strong strategic focus based on knowledge of asset/drug, disease area (rheumatology) and relevant science in order to meet regulatory and disease strategy targets.

• Done in conjunction with Clinical Development Program Lead or as a delegate when CDPL is not assigned

• Extensive experience in Research and Development (late and/or early development) and across various Phases of study design (FIH, study start-up, study execution, DBL & close-out)

• Oversees trial(s) within asset class or multiple trials across assets (ie Immunotherapy, targeted therapy, mABs, ADCs, CAR T, etc) & across various diseases with in-depth clinical development expertise

• Respected for Disease Expertise for rheumatology (internal to BMS and within the medical community)

• Disease Lead- able to serve as internal consultant for respective disease(s) based on scientific knowledge and therapeutic expertise

• Provides oversight and medical accountability for a group of high-priority studies

• Leads the analysis of benefit/risk for clinical development protocols in a matrix team environment working with Clinical Scientists (CS)

• Partners with CS to support executional delivery of studies (e.g., site activation, enrollment status, as well as adjudication for protocol violations, significant, non-significant deviations etc.)

• Existing strong relationships with principal investigators. Identifies and cultivates thought leaders in order to gain their inputs on emerging science in drug and biomarker research, disease knowledge, and design of clinical development studies and programs

• Keeps abreast of development and regulatory issues related to other competitive or relevant compounds in development and how our portfolio fits into the competitive landscape

• The CTP should be able to anticipate impact of external data which may shift internal clinical strategy and proactively assess needs for internal program (ie amendments, need for ad hoc analyses & implications to execution of internal programs)

• Provides ongoing medical education in partnership with collaborating Clinical Scientists to allow for protocol-specific training, supporting the study team, investigators, and internal stakeholders (ie medical affairs, commercial, translational medicine, access, etc)

Medical Monitoring:

• Leader of high performing Study Delivery Team (SDT) and key member of the Clinical Development Team (CDT)

• Study-Leader with ability to own/drive study level strategic decisions

• Leads medical data review of trial data, including eligibility review

• Holds responsibility for site interactions in partnership with the Clinical Scientist (CS) for medical questions and education (including safety management guidelines)

• Holds responsibility for assessment of key safety-related serious adverse events in partnership with Worldwide Patient Safety and oversees safety narratives

• Leads collaboration with CS and inputs into protocols, providing medical strategic oversight in protocol development (input on inclusion/exclusion and other safety-related clinical considerations)

• Fulfills GCP and compliance obligations for clinical conduct and maintains all required training

• Onboarding Lead – provides guidance and training to new CTP (not limited to data management; systems training), therapeutic training, innovative study design and sets example of high proficiency for the organization

Health Authority Interactions & Publications:

• Serves as medical point of expertise in key Health Authority interactions and advisory board meetings as Clinical Trial Physician

• Authors clinical content for CSRs, regulatory reports, briefing books and submission documents to support closure, clinical narratives, reporting and filling of the study in partnership with CSs

• Experience with regulatory submission & development of clinical sections in regulatory documents for submission across several markets

• Ability to lead strategic framework for clinical sections of regulatory documents

• Exceptional clinical response strategist for queries (written & oral) Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Will work closely with colleagues in BMS IO CT TRC, CT Correlative Research Team, Research & Discovery, Early and Late Development, Regulatory, Medical, Commercial and other key functional areas on a global basis; additionally, should have an external focus and build relationships with thought leaders, physicians, and patient advocacy groups outside of BMS. Be recognized internally and externally as an expert in the field.

• Partner and interact with colleagues from Research and Early Development who design and implement first in human through proof-of-concept trials and will assure a seamless transition into late-stage development (Phase II-III trials.)

• Ability to influence leadership and upper management of key functions (e.g., early development, TM, clinical pharmacology, toxicology, regulatory, HEOR, market access, medical affairs), applying foresight, scientific and development knowledge to ensure support of late clinical development needs and adequacy of clinical studies leading to registration


Qualifications & Experience
•  MD (or ex-US equivalent), rheumatologist is required

• The ideal candidate will be a Clinical Drug Development leader; with greater than 5 years of extensive clinical trial and drug development experience and regulatory experience, in addition to a strong scientific background, particularly in rheumatology.

• Deep understanding of Biology, targets and translational science.

• Extensive experience of work with health authorities at all levels.

• The candidate also must be a highly effective leader capable of working with Commercial, Medical, and all research functions of the company from Research through Regulatory.

• The candidate must be comfortable with cross-functional drug and product development teams and managing in a matrix environment.

• Global experiences since this position has responsibility for strategy and clinical research in oncology in multiple geographies.

Key Competency Requirements:

• Ability to communicate information clearly and lead presentations in scientific and clinical settings

• Subspecialty training in applicable therapeutic area desired

• Expertise in the scientific method to test hypotheses, including statistical design, analysis, and interpretation

• Expertise in drug development process

• Expertise in the components needed to execute an effective clinical plan and protocols

• Strong leadership skills with proven ability to lead and work effectively in a team environment

• Ability to work independently & prioritize work (self-starter / takes initiative)

• Takes ownership and accountability

• Embodies collaborative-spirit, enterprise mindset & ability to see what’s needed to be successful in the future

• Enterprise mindset with strong understanding of development priorities across programs, studies, expenses and cross-functional workstreams

•  Travel: Domestic and international travel may be required

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:

Brisbane - CA - US: $308,700 - $374,075 Madison - Giralda - NJ - US: $275,630 - $333,998 Princeton - NJ - US: $275,630 - $333,998

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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