Senior Associate Scientist In vitro Biology Neuroscience Discovery

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol Myers Squibb in Cambridge is seeking a Senior Associate Scientist – In vitro Biology, Neuroscience Discovery to design and execute target biology studies using human iPSC-based CNS models. The role focuses on translating biology into therapeutic hypotheses for neurodegenerative diseases.

You will apply disease-relevant assays, contribute to translational pharmacology, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to advance candidate therapies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 4+ years or Master’s with 2+ years in a relevant field.
• Strong background in molecular and cellular biology and disease mechanisms.
• Experience designing disease-relevant cellular assays and iPSC models.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute hypothesis-driven studies to investigate target biology in neurodegenerative disease.
• Develop and apply iPSC-based models and assays to evaluate target biology and therapeutic potential.
• Design, optimize, and implement mechanistic assays for pharmacology characterization and SAR support.
• Establish causal relationships between target modulation and disease mechanisms using molecular approaches.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and present results to advance programs.

Skills

Neuroscience

Molecular biology

Cell biology

Experimental design

Data interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree with 4+ years

Master's degree with 2+ years

Tools

iPSC-based models

Neurodegenerative disease models

In vitro assays

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.

Senior Associate Scientist – In vitro Biology, Neuroscience Discovery

The Neuroscience TRC is committed to discovering and developing new therapies for patients with neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases. Our research combines human disease biology, molecular and cellular neuroscience, and target validation to identify and advance promising therapeutic opportunities.

We are seeking a creative and rigorous scientist to investigate novel therapeutic targets and build confidence in their relevance to neurodegenerative disease. The successful candidate will develop and apply disease-relevant assays and advanced human iPSC-based models to understand how genetic or pharmacologic target modulation influences disease biology.

This role is ideal for a scientist with strong molecular and cellular biology expertise, a passion for understanding disease mechanisms, and experience translating biological questions into meaningful therapeutic hypothesis. The ideal candidate will have experience developing disease-relevant cellular assays and applying advanced human iPSC-based models to investigate target biology. Experience with microglia, neuroimmune biology, or multicellular CNS models is highly desirable.

Position Responsibilities

• Design and execute hypothesis-driven studies to investigate novel therapeutic targets in neurodegenerative disease.
• Develop and apply advanced human iPSC-based models and disease-relevant assays to evaluate target biology and therapeutic potential.
• Design, optimize, and implement mechanistic and translational assays that enable target interrogation, in vitro pharmacological characterization, compound profiling, and progression of drug-discovery programs.
• Establish causal relationships between target modulation and disease-relevant mechanisms using genetic, pharmacological, and molecular approaches.
• Support structure-activity relationship (SAR) efforts by generating high-quality in vitro pharmacology data that inform compound optimization, mechanism-of-action studies, and program progression.
• Represent Discovery Biology on cross-functional program teams, presenting experimental results and biological interpretation to support program progression.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 4+ years of academic and/or industry experience or
• Master’s degree with 2+ years of academic and/or industry experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in neuroscience, biology, molecular biology, cell biology, or a related discipline.
• Strong foundation in molecular and cellular biology, with experience designing and executing experiments to address biological questions.
• Experience developing and applying cellular assays for target validation, pharmacological characterization, and/or compound profiling.
• Hands-on experience with human iPSC-derived neural and/or glial models and their application to neurodegenerative disease research.
• Demonstrated ability to independently drive experiments from conception through data interpretation and clearly present scientific findings within multidisciplinary teams
• Additional Preferred Qualifications and Experience
• Strong understanding of neurodegenerative disease biology, including pathways related to mitochondrial function, neuroinflammation, lipid and lysosomal biology, and protein homeostasis.
• Experience developing and applying robust cellular assays for target validation, pharmacological characterization, or compound profiling.
• Experience with disease-relevant cellular models and phenotypic endpoints applicable to neurodegenerative disease.
• Industry experience supporting target validation, in vitro pharmacology, or drug-discovery programs is beneficial.
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We hire for skills and capabilities, not just credentials – if this role excites you, but doesn’t perfectly match your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway.

Compensation Overview:

Cambridge Crossing: $105,040 - $127,287

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/

For roles based in Washington State only: If you live in or expect to work from Washington State if hired for this position, please visit this page for important information about the Washington Fair Chance Act.

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.

R1607930 : Senior Associate Scientist In vitro Biology Neuroscience Discovery