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.
When you join BMS, you are joining a high-achieving team united by a common mission.
The Cell Therapy Thematic Research Center is one of BMS’s differentiated research platforms delivering innovative therapies to patients. Our mission is to drive leadership in the use of cellular therapies to harness the power of the immune system in treating hematologic malignancies, solid cancers, and autoimmune disease. More specifically, our discovery and translational scientists are focused on developing next-generation, engineered cell-based therapies. The team is committed to discovering and developing transformative therapies that harness the power of the immune system to improve patient outcomes.
Here, you will get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities that are uncommon in scale and scope. You’ll pursue innovative ideas while advancing professionally alongside some of the brightest minds in biopharma.
Position Summary:
We are seeking an innovative and driven Senior Associate Scientist to join the Engineered Cell Therapy Discovery team and help advance next-generation CAR T and eTCR therapies for patients with cancer and other chronic diseases. In this role, you will apply immunological knowledge and experimental rigor to design and execute detailed functional assays, support screening of engineered T cell constructs, and interpret large biological datasets that shape discovery decisions. You will work closely with scientists across disciplines to develop robust assay platforms, evaluate engineered cell function in relevant biological models, and communicate clear, data-driven recommendations. The ideal candidate is excited by the intersection of immune cell engineering, quantitative biology, and scalable data generation in a fast-paced discovery setting.
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In the role as a Senior Associate Scientist on the Engineered Cell Therapy Discovery team, the ideal candidate:
- Applies strong immunological knowledge to the design, execution, and interpretation of studies evaluating engineered T cell CAR/eTCR constructs, novel payloads/gene editing across a variety of biological conditions.
- Contributes to screening strategies that assess engineered T cell constructs and functional responses leveraging automation where applicable, enabling data-driven prioritization of candidates.
- Performs fine-detailed, nuanced mechanistic studies to interrogate engineered T cell function using multiparametric immune profiling approaches, including assessment of activation, exhaustion, memory, and effector phenotypes.
- Analyzes and interprets complex datasets from cellular, molecular, and functional assays to identify biological trends, support hypothesis generation, guide experimental follow-up, and enabling data-driven prioritization of candidates.
- Develops and optimizes novel assays to quantitatively assess the biological and functional properties of novel synthetic biology in engineered T cells. Ensures the robustness and reproducibility of these assays to support key project milestones.
- Generates and cryopreserves CAR T cells and eTCR T cells with complex genetic engineering approaches.
- Performs phenotypic and functional analysis of CAR and eTCR T cells using flow cytometry, IncuCyte, MSD, and other relevant methods. Analyzes data to provide insights into the performance, quality, and potential of engineered T cells.
- Participates in troubleshooting activities related to the evolution of new approaches/technologies.
- Collaborates effectively with cross-functional teams. Communicates findings clearly and concisely to stakeholders at all levels.
- Maintains electronic notebooks in a rigorous and timely manner to support project milestones and patent/regulatory filings.
Experience =
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- 4+ years of academic and / or industry experience
Or
- Master’s Degree
- 2+ years of academic and / or industry experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- Required developed knowledge of the principles and concepts of biological sciences, immunology, bioengineering, or related discipline.
- Experience developing and using quantitative in vitro assays to drive decision-making, especially in the drug development context, is strongly desired
- Experience with automation platforms, including liquid handling systems or related technologies, in a high-throughput screening context is strongly desired.
- Experience analyzing and visualizing complex biological datasets using software such as JMP, R, or similar quantitative analysis tools is preferred. Familiarity with data handling and analysis best practices for screening, multiparametric flow cytometry, or other higher-content assay platforms.
- Proficiency in MSD, IncuCyte-based assays, multi-parameter flow cytometry, and/or high-content imaging technologies is strongly desired.
- Skilled in generating, expanding, characterizing, and cryopreserving CAR T and eTCR T cells.
- Experience with antibody discovery and molecular biology is preferred.
- Excellent organizational skills for thorough and timely documentation of experiments across multiple projects. Maintains electronic notebooks rigorously.
- Ability to independently recognize potential problems and recommend/develop appropriate solutions strongly desired.
- Strong communication skills for working with cross-functional teams as well as cross-departmental colleagues.
- Ability to work productively as both team member and as individual contributor.
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.
Compensation Overview:
Seattle - WA: $102,570 - $124,290

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 su
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