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.

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

The Protein Homeostasis Thematic Research Center at BMS is a fundamental Oncology research engine delivering oncology and hematology therapeutics to patients. The TRC has a major focus on exploiting BMS’ expertise in protein degradation to discover and develop therapies aimed at tumor intrinsic vulnerabilities and mechanisms of resistance to existing cancer therapeutics. This focus on protein degradation allows us to attack protein classes that were previously deemed undruggable.

The Sequencing Research & Genomics team at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) is seeking a dedicated, highly organized, and motivated Associate Scientist to support Next-Generation Sequencing, molecular biology, and multi-omics workflows that enable target discovery, assay development, and drug discovery screening projects. This role is designed for a hands-on scientist who can contribute to high-quality experimental execution while also supporting the operational coordination required to manage sequencing workflows in a fast-paced, collaborative research environment.

The position will combine approximately 70% laboratory execution and 30% operations / project coordination, including NGS sample processing, library preparation, sequencing quality control, run documentation, project tracking, and coordination of collaborative research requests. The successful candidate will work closely with internal scientific teams, automation specialists, computational biology partners, external vendors, and CROs to ensure that sequencing projects are executed efficiently, reproducibly, and with clear documentation from request intake through data handoff.

Position Responsibilities

In the role as an Associate Scientist within the Sequencing Research & Genomics team, the ideal candidate will:

• Execute NGS and molecular biology workflows: Conduct day-to-day laboratory experiments and sequencing operations, including DNA/RNA extraction and purification, sample quality assessment, NGS library preparation, library QC, quantification, pooling, and sequencer loading across platforms such as Illumina and Oxford Nanopore.

• Support sequencing operations and run readiness: Contribute to the preparation, execution, and documentation of sequencing runs, including reagent readiness, sample tracking, run setup, instrument coordination, and post-run quality review.

• Review and document sequencing quality metrics: Evaluate sequencing run performance and relevant QC statistics, organize results for internal review, and maintain clear records to support reproducibility, troubleshooting, and future reference.

• Maintain meticulous experimental and operational records: Generate, organize, and maintain high-quality documentation of experimental procedures, sequencing runs, QC outcomes, protocol deviations, troubleshooting steps, and project status updates in compliance with laboratory and data documentation standards.

• Track NGS project intake and execution: Support project tracking across collaborative NGS requests by organizing sample information, timelines, experimental status, sequencing deliverables, and data handoff milestones using tools such as Electronic Lab Notebooks, JIRA, Confluence, spreadsheets, or other project management systems.

• Develop and improve project organization practices: Help refine project organizational guidelines, sample tracking processes, sequencing pipeline documentation, and operational workflows to improve transparency, reproducibility, and execution efficiency.

• Provide technical and project-level support: Communicate with internal stakeholders, external collaborators, vendors, and CROs to support project execution, clarify sample or workflow requirements, coordinate timelines, and ensure alignment on deliverables.

• Contribute to assay and protocol development: Work independently and collaboratively with team members to support optimization, benchmarking, and implementation of new molecular biology, NGS, and multi-omics workflows.

• Support troubleshooting and continuous improvement: Participate in troubleshooting routine technical issues, identifying workflow bottlenecks, and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives related to sequencing operations, sample processing, documentation, and project execution.

• Collaborate across functional teams: Partner with scientists across biology, genomics, automation, computational biology, and project teams to enable high-quality data generation that supports target discovery, target validation, assay development, and drug discovery decision-making.

EXPERIENCE

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree

  • 2+ years of academic and / or industry experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor degree with 2+ years of academic and/or industry experience in molecular biology, biotechnology, or biochemistry

• Developed knowledge of molecular biology principles, with hands-on experience in DNA/RNA purification, NGS library preparation, library QC, PCR, qPCR, cloning, or related wet-lab methods.

• Practical experience supporting NGS workflows, including sample intake, nucleic acid QC, library construction, sequencing preparation, and review of run-level or sample-level QC metrics.

• Strong attention to detail and a quality-focused mindset, with the ability to generate accurate, well-organized, and reproducible experimental documentation.

• Ability to work within established procedures while contributing to troubleshooting, process improvements, and optimization of laboratory workflows.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple samples, workflows, project requests, and timelines in parallel.

• Experience using Electronic Lab Notebooks and project / knowledge-management tools such as JIRA, Confluence, SharePoint, Excel, or similar platforms.

• Ability to communicate clearly with scientific stakeholders, project teams, external vendors, and CROs regarding sample requirements, timelines, technical updates, and deliverables.

• Experience coordinating with external vendors or CROs for sequencing, molecular biology, or other research services is preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a cross-functional, matrixed research environment.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to summarize experimental results, document workflows, and provide clear project updates.

• Exposure to cell biology techniques, including mammalian cell culture, organoid culture, perturbation experiments, or functional drug-response assays, is a plus.

• Familiarity with automation-enabled workflows, high-throughput sample processing, or liquid handling systems is a plus.

#LI-Onsite

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.

San Diego - CA - US: $92,900 - $112,569

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 in effect at the time and may require enrollment. Our benefits include:

• 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.

​Work-life benefits include:

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

Based on eligibility*, 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.

*Eligibility Disclosure: The summer hours program is for United States (U.S.) office-based employees due to the unique nature of their work. Summer hours are generally not available for field sales and manufacturing operations and may also be limited for the capability centers. Employees in remote-by-design or lab-based roles may be eligible for summer hours, depending on the nature of their work, and should discuss eligibility with their manager. Employees covered under a collective bargaining agreement should consult that document to determine if they are eligible. Contractors, leased workers and other service providers are not eligible to participate in the 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.

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 adastaffingsupport@bms.com 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 TAEnablement@bms.com 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.

R1603655 : Associate Scientist, Molecular Biology, Next-Generation Sequencing and Operations Management