Scientist, High-Throughput Protein Expression and Purification

Bristol-Myers Squibb; Brisbane (CA); On-site; USD 128,000 - 156,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing support

Retirement and financial protection

Insurance offerings

Flexible Time Off

11 paid holidays

Paid vacation

Job summary

Bristol Myers Squibb is seeking a highly motivated Scientist to expand high-throughput biologics production capabilities in Discovery Biotherapeutics. The role involves hands-on operation of mammalian expression, purification, and QC workflows to support antibody and multispecific discovery programs.

Collaboration across Protein Sciences, Molecular Biology, Automation, Data Science, and project teams is essential.

Qualifications

• Hands-on protein expression in mammalian systems.
• Experience with transient mammalian expression (HEK293/CHO).
• Protein purification and quality assessment experience.

Responsibilities

• Execute high-throughput protein production workflows for biologics.
• Design and optimize transient mammalian expression workflows.
• Automate purification, normalization, and quality checks.
• Operate and maintain liquid handlers, robots, and analyzers.
• Document results and communicate with cross-functional teams.
• Drive continuous improvement and data-driven decisions.

Skills

Protein expression workflows

Mammalian expression systems

Protein purification technologies

Molecular biology / cloning

Data analysis / troubleshooting

Laboratory automation / scripting

Communication / collaboration

Safety / data integrity

Education

Bachelor's degree in biochemistry / related

Master's degree with 3+ years experience

PhD with no additional experience

Tools

Liquid handlers

Robotic workstations

Automated purification systems

Analytical instrumentation

ELN / LIMS

Job description

At Bristol Myers Squibb, our employees often ask, “Who are you working for?”—a question that fuels collaboration, accountability, and urgency in our work. Our purpose-driven culture inspires us to discover, develop, and deliver innovative medicines to prevail over serious diseases. We offer uniquely interesting and meaningful work, opportunities for growth, and a supportive environment that values inclusion, wellbeing, flexibility, and comprehensive benefits. This is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it.

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated Scientist to expand high-throughput biologics production capabilities within Discovery Biotherapeutics. This hands‑on, laboratory-facing role will execute and advance scalable protein expression, purification, normalization, and characterization workflows that enable antibody, multispecific, and other biologics discovery programs. The successful candidate will bring practical experience in mammalian protein production and protein purification, with the ability to independently execute experiments, analyze data, troubleshoot workflows, and deliver high‑quality protein reagents. The Scientist will work closely with Protein Sciences, Molecular Biology, Automation, Data Science, Discovery Biology, and project teams to align production activities with program priorities and experimental timelines. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment, enjoys solving technical challenges, and is motivated to apply automation and emerging technologies to improve throughput, reproducibility, and cycle time. Experience with laboratory automation, cell‑free expression, workflow scripting, or closed‑loop discovery is preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute high-throughput protein production workflows supporting antibody, multispecific, and other biologics discovery programs.
• Design, optimize, and troubleshoot transient mammalian expression workflows at micro- and mid-scale using HEK293, CHO, or related systems.
• Perform automated and semi‑automated protein purification, sample normalization, and quality assessment to deliver fit‑for‑purpose protein reagents and therapeutic molecules.
• Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and continuously improve liquid handlers, robotic workstations, automated purification systems, and associated analytical instrumentation.
• Develop robust, reproducible, and scalable workflows for protein expression, purification, normalization, and quality control.
• Plan and execute experiments, analyze and interpret scientific and operational data, document results, and communicate findings to cross‑functional teams and project stakeholders.
• Partner with Protein Sciences, Molecular Biology, Automation, Data Science, Discovery Biology, and project teams to coordinate production requirements, priorities, and timelines.
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies, instrumentation, miniaturization strategies, and automation solutions that improve throughput, quality, reproducibility, and operational efficiency.
• Establish and maintain best practices, standard operating procedures, quality standards, and documentation that support data integrity, reproducibility, and safe laboratory operations.
• Lead or contribute to root‑cause analysis and resolution of workflow, production, and instrumentation issues, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Drive continuous‑improvement initiatives that reduce cycle time, increase workflow reliability, and expand platform capabilities.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor's degree in biochemistry, bioengineering, structural biology, molecular biology, or a related scientific discipline with 5 or more years of relevant academic and/or industry experience; or a master's degree with 3 or more years of relevant experience; or a Ph.D. with no additional experience required.

• Hands‑on experience with protein expression and production workflows in mammalian systems.
• Working knowledge of transient mammalian expression using HEK293, CHO, or related cell systems.
• Experience with protein purification technologies, including affinity chromatography, and with protein quality assessment methods.
• Molecular biology background, with a strong understanding of cloning and high‑throughput DNA fragment generation.
• Ability to independently design and execute experiments, analyze data, troubleshoot technical problems, maintain accurate documentation, and advance assigned work.
• Ability to manage evolving priorities and timelines in a collaborative, matrixed research environment.
• Strong communication, collaboration, organizational, and problem‑solving skills, with a clear commitment to laboratory safety and data integrity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience executing high‑throughput or plate‑based protein expression, purification, normalization, and quality‑control workflows across multiple concurrent requests or programs.
• Experience operating, maintaining, or troubleshooting laboratory automation platforms, liquid handlers, robotic workstations, automated purification systems, or integrated analytical instrumentation.
• Experience with analytical methods used for protein quality assessment, such as SEC, HPLC, SDS‑PAGE, Octet, or related technologies.
• Experience with cell‑free expression systems, miniaturized or low‑volume expression formats, or other approaches that increase throughput while reducing material consumption.
• Familiarity with laboratory automation programming, workflow scripting, instrument integration, or scheduling and orchestration software.
• Working proficiency in Python, R, or comparable tools for data handling, workflow scripting, visualization, or analysis of production and quality‑control datasets.
• Experience with ELN, LIMS, sample‑registration systems, or structured digital data capture, including preparation of experimental data for downstream computational use.
• Experience collaborating with automation, data science, or computational teams in closed‑loop, lab‑in‑the‑loop, or model‑in‑the‑loop discovery workflows.
• Experience with next‑generation sequencing‑coupled or display‑based screening workflows and their interface with recombinant protein production.
• Experience contributing to workflow scale‑up, technology implementation, operational metrics, root‑cause analysis, or continuous‑improvement initiatives.
• Experience developing or updating standard operating procedures, data standards, annotation conventions, or FAIR data practices.

Compensation Overview

Brisbane - CA - US: $128,420 - $155,612 The starting pay range(s) listed above is for full‑time employees (FTE). You may also be eligible for additional discretionary incentive cash and stock opportunities. We determine starting pay thoughtfully – carefully considering the nature of the role, required skills, work location, schedule and the knowledge and experience you bring. Final compensation is guided by pay equity principles and applicable employment laws. Compensation programs are reviewed on an ongoing basis and may be adjusted over time to reflect evolving market factors, and individual, team or Company performance.

Benefits

Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect, you may be eligible to participate in our comprehensive benefit plans – including wellbeing support, retirement and financial protection benefits, and insurance offerings (medical, dental, vision, life and disability).

U.S.-based exempt employees are eligible for Flexible Time Off (FTO), which provides paid time off without a set accrual limit, subject to manager approval, along with 11 paid company holidays each year.

Non‑exempt employees, RayzeBio employees, and employees located in Puerto Rico receive 160 hours of paid vacation annually for new hires (subject to manager approval), 11 paid company holidays, and 3 optional holidays.

Depending on eligibility, employees may also have access to additional time‑off benefits, including paid sick leave, up to two paid volunteer days per year, summer hours flexibility, and leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, or military needs.

Eligible employees also enjoy an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

U.S.-based job seekers can explore full benefit offerings at https://careers.bms.com/benefits

How We Work

Where you work matters – because collaboration, innovation and patient impact happen in many settings. Our roles are structured across four work models: site‑essential, site‑by‑design, field‑based and remote‑by‑design. The model assigned to this role is based on its core responsibilities. Learn more at https://careers.bms.com/ways-of-working.

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 qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area. For roles based in Los Angeles County only: 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 this posting is missing required information required by local law or incorrect, contact BMS at [e-mail] the Job Title and Requisition number. Do not send application-related inquiries to this email. To check your application status, please login to your Candidate Home Account.

We’re creating innovative medicines for patients fighting serious diseases. We’re also nurturing our own diverse team with inspiring work and challenging career options. No matter the role, each one of us makes a contribution. And that makes all the difference.