Principal Scientist, Molecular Genomics

Biopharma Careers; United States; On-site; USD 139,000 - 168,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Coverage: Medical, pharmacy, to

Wellbeing Programs

401(k) plan & disability insurance

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Bristol Myers Squibb is seeking a Principal Scientist to lead assay development for genomics and transcriptomics biomarkers in translational medicine and clinical programs. The role focuses on PCR and NGS platforms, gene expression profiling, genotyping, and ctDNA, driving assay strategy and cross‑functional collaboration.

The ideal candidate will provide scientific leadership, oversee vendor activities, and mentor junior scientists, advancing data quality and biomarker-driven clinical decisions.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience developing clinical genomics assays in pharma/biotech settings.
• Hands-on lab expertise in molecular assay development and execution.
• Strong understanding of assay controls, QC methodologies, and performance monitoring.
• Experience overseeing validation activities with internal/external vendors.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead genomics and transcriptomics biomarker strategies for translational medicine and clinical programs.
• Design, develop, qualify, validate, and execute biomarker assays.
• Support GEP and pharmacodynamic assays and related platforms.
• Oversee data quality, QC metrics, and study deliverables.
• Collaborate with bioinformatics, biostatistics, and clinical teams.
• Mentor junior scientists and drive continuous improvement in workflows.

Skills

Genomics biomarker development

PCR/qPCR

NGS

Biomarker strategies

Lab leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis

Troubleshooting

Vendor oversight

Education

Ph.D. in Life Sciences

M.S. in Life Sciences

B.S. in Life Sciences

Tools

NGS platforms

qPCR platforms

Genotyping platforms

Job description

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.

Read more: careers.bms.com/working-with-us.

Position Summary

The Principal Scientist is responsible for developing, optimizing, qualifying, validating, and executing molecular biomarker assays to support translational medicine and clinical programs. This laboratory-based role focuses on PCR and NGS-based genomics and transcriptomics technologies, including gene expression profiling (GEP), genotyping, variant analysis, ctDNA, and related molecular platforms. The successful candidate will provide scientific leadership in assay strategy, technology evaluation, biomarker development, clinical sample analysis, vendor oversight, and cross‑functional collaboration to generate high‑quality genomics data that informs clinical trial decision‑making and advances Bristol Myers Squibb's research and development pipeline.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of genomics and transcriptomics biomarker strategies for translational medicine and clinical programs.
• Select and evaluate molecular assay technologies and platforms based on program, protocol, and biological requirements.
• Design, develop, optimize, qualify, validate, and execute biomarker assays supporting clinical and translational research.
• Support genomic and gene expression profiling (GEP) assays, pharmacodynamic assays, target engagement assays, predictive assays, prognostic assays, and technology platform development.
• Develop assay qualification and validation plans, protocols, reports, and associated technical documentation.
• Generate, analyze, and interpret qualification and validation datasets to support fit‑for‑purpose clinical assay deployment.
• Perform hands‑on laboratory work utilizing PCR, qPCR, NGS, gene expression, genotyping, variant analysis, and related molecular technologies.
• Troubleshoot assay performance issues and implement corrective actions to ensure assay robustness and reproducibility.
• Oversee clinical sample analysis and assay execution performed internally or through external vendors.
• Review assay quality control metrics, assay performance data, and study deliverables.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on genomics technologies, assay performance, data quality, and biomarker strategies.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, assay methodologies, sample preparation kits, and workflow improvements.
• Conduct due diligence assessments and pilot studies to determine feasibility and applicability of new technologies.
• Lead technology transfer activities and support implementation of new platforms and workflows.
• Draft and maintain experimental plans, qualification protocols, validation reports, SOPs, work instructions, study reports, and technology transfer documents.
• Collaborate closely with data analysis, biostatistics, sample management, clinical operations, project management, and other cross‑functional teams.
• Participate in biomarker execution teams, clinical study teams, and internal/external scientific collaborations.
• Provide scientific guidance and technical expertise to functional stakeholders and program teams.
• Maintain accurate and compliant records of experiments, procedures, and study activities.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to the development of a highly efficient and innovative genomics laboratory environment.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, operational excellence, and best practices across genomics workflows and processes.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences or related discipline with 8+ years of academic and/or industry experience; or
• Master's degree in Life Sciences or related discipline with 6+ years of academic and/or industry experience; or
• Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree in Life Sciences with 4+ years of academic and/or industry experience.
• Ability and willingness to work in a laboratory environment for 100% of the work schedule.
• Extensive experience with PCR, qPCR, NGS, GEP, and other genomics-based technologies.
• Strong hands‑on laboratory expertise in molecular assay development and execution.
• Proven experience developing clinical genomics assays in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, diagnostics, or clinical laboratory settings.
• Demonstrated expertise in assay development, optimization, qualification, validation, troubleshooting, and lifecycle management.
• Experience overseeing assay validation activities performed internally and through external vendors.
• Strong understanding of assay controls, quality control methodologies, and assay performance monitoring.
• Experience supporting clinical sample analysis and biomarker‑driven clinical programs.
• Expertise with genomics platforms such as NGS, qPCR, gene expression profiling, genotyping, and variant analysis technologies.
• Significant experience reviewing assay run metrics, QC data, and performance trends.
• Hands‑on experience with ctDNA technologies and gene expression profiling platforms.
• Strong understanding of fit‑for‑purpose validation principles for clinical genomics assays.
• Knowledge of genomics data structures, quality control processes, and collaboration with bioinformatics and biostatistics teams.
• Experience developing and executing genomics biomarker strategies that support clinical development programs.
• Familiarity with technology assessment, vendor selection, and implementation of new laboratory platforms.
• Working knowledge of intellectual property considerations and contracting principles.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in cross‑functional and matrixed organizations.
• Proven leadership, mentoring, and team development capabilities.

Compensation Overview

Princeton - NJ - US: $138,520 - $167,849

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/.

Benefits

• 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.
• 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
• 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 Years Day.
• All global employees full and part‑time who are actively employed at and paid directly by BMS at the end of the calendar year are eligible to take advantage of the Global Shutdown.

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.

Supporting People with Disabilities

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 [e-mail]. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

Candidate Rights

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/.

Data Protection

We will never request payments, financial information, or social security numbers during our application or recruitment process. Learn more about protecting yourself at https://careers.bms.com/fraud-protection.

Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.

If you believe that the job posting is missing information required by local law or incorrect in any way, please contact BMS at [e-mail]. Please provide the Job Title and Requisition number so we can review. Communications related to your application should not be sent to this email and you will not receive a response. Inquiries related to the status of your application should be directed to Chat with Ripley.