Senior Associate Scientist, Neuroscience, In Vitro Pharmacology

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

Job summary

Bristol Myers Squibb is seeking a detail‑oriented scientist to support high-throughput screening in our neuroscience drug discovery group. You will develop scalable assays and execute screening campaigns to identify novel targets and modulators.

The role involves automating imaging, data analysis, and cross‑functional collaboration, with emphasis on data quality and reproducibility in a fast-paced environment. Cambridge, MA-based position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus 4+ years of relevant experience or Master's plus 2+ years of relevant experience
• Hands-on experience with assay development, screening, and data handling in a drug discovery setting
• Experience with cell viability and reporter assays and high-content imaging

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and validate high-throughput screening assays
• Execute compound screening campaigns including viability and reporter assays
• Design genetic perturbation screens (siRNA/ASO, CRISPR) to support discovery
• Perform high-content imaging and automated data analysis to extract phenotypic data
• Maintain and scale mammalian cell culture models to support throughput
• Troubleshoot assay performance and improve data quality
• Analyze large screening datasets and present go/no-go recommendations
• Document protocols and results per scientific and quality standards
• Collaborate with automation, informatics, and target validation teams

Skills

Detail-oriented

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Experiment design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology/Neuroscience/Pharmacology/Biochemistry

Master's degree

Tools

High-content imaging

Automated image analysis

Mammalian cell culture

CRISPR-based perturbation

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 detail-oriented scientist to support high-throughput screening efforts within our neuroscience drug discovery organization. This role will focus on developing and executing scalable assays for compound/oligo screening campaigns, driving identification of novel therapeutic targets and modulators.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and validate assays for high-throughput and high-content screening applications
• Execute compound screening campaigns, including cell viability and reporter-based assays
• Design and implement genetic perturbation screens (e.g., siRNA/ASO, CRISPR-based) to support therapeutic discovery
• Perform high-content imaging and automated image analysis to extract quantitative phenotypic data
• Maintain and scale mammalian cell culture systems, including cell lines and neuroscience-relevant in vitro models, to support screening throughput
• Troubleshoot assay performance issues and implement process improvements to ensure data quality and reproducibility
• Analyze large screening datasets; visualize and present results to support go/no-go decisions
• Document protocols and results in accordance with scientific and quality standards
• Partner cross-functionally with automation, informatics, and target validation teams to advance screening pipelines

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, or a related field plus 4+ years of relevant experience,
• Or a Master's degree plus 2+ years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on academic, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical experience, including mammalian cell culture
• Experience in assay development, compound screening, genetic perturbation, and troubleshooting at scale
• Proficiency in cell viability and reporter assays, high-content imaging and analysis, and general molecular/cellular assay techniques
• Experience with cell lines and other relevant in vitro systems; familiarity with primary neuronal or iPSC-derived cultures a plus
• Ability to independently design, execute, troubleshoot, document, analyze, and present reproducible experiments; strong data analysis or visualization skills desirable
• Strong organizational and communication skills; able to work independently and cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment
• Curiosity, initiative, adaptability, attention to detail, problem-solving, and commitment to scientific rigor, safety, and data quality
• Familiarity with automation/robotics platforms and large dataset handling preferred

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/

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.

R1607429 : Senior Associate Scientist, Neuroscience, In Vitro Pharmacology