Senior Principal Scientist, Molecular Assays & Genomics Team Lead (Cell Therapy Translational Research)

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.

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.

Position Summary

Cell Therapy Translational Research is seeking a scientific leader to direct the Molecular Assays & Genomics team in Seattle. This team develops and implements molecular biomarker assays that support translational research, clinical development, and patient-safety assessments across an evolving portfolio of cell and gene therapy programs. The successful candidate will combine deep molecular and genomics expertise with strong scientific judgment, people leadership, and experience advancing fit-for-purpose assays into clinical use.

Position Responsibilities:

The Senior Principal Scientist, Molecular Assays & Genomics Team Lead within Cell Therapy Translational Research will:

• Lead the Molecular Assays & Genomics team, providing scientific direction, people leadership, portfolio prioritization, mentoring, and talent development.
• Serve as the department subject matter expert for molecular and genomic testing, owning assay strategy, scientific standards, and capability development within the Molecular Assays & Genomics platform.
• Translate key translational and safety questions into fit-for-purpose molecular and genomic assay approaches that support program decisions and pipeline development across the Cell Therapy portfolio.
• Lead assay development, qualification or validation, transfer, clinical implementation, and lifecycle management across DNA- and RNA-based technologies.
• Provide scientific and technical leadership across q/ddPCR, RT-qPCR, next-generation sequencing, gene-expression profiling, and emerging molecular platforms.
• Partner with Translational Program Leads, Translational Safety and other stakeholders to align molecular assessments with program objectives.
• Provide scientific oversight of assay design, performance, data quality, technical interpretation, and issue resolution to ensure reliable and decision-ready results.
• Evaluate internal and external laboratory capabilities and provide leadership for laboratory selection, assay placement, technical scopes of work, performance oversight, and troubleshooting.
• Lead molecular testing approaches supporting cell and gene therapy development, including cellular persistence, pharmacodynamic and exploratory biomarkers, vector or transgene detection, clonality, genomic characterization, and investigation of safety-related events.
• Assess and advance new molecular and genomic technologies that address evolving portfolio needs, strengthen cross-program consistency, and expand future capabilities.
• Represent the Molecular Assays & Genomics function, communicate scientific recommendations, risks, and decisions to cross-functional stakeholders.
• Foster a culture of scientific rigor, innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Experience =

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree

• 10+ years of academic and / or industry experience

Or

• Master’s Degree

• 8+ years of academic and / or industry experience

Or

• Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree in the Life Sciences

• 6+ years of academic and / or industry experience

• 2+ years of leadership experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in molecular biology, molecular genetics, genomics, or a related life sciences discipline with 6+ years of relevant industry experience or Master’s with 8+ years of relevant industry experience.

• Significant experience developing and implementing clinical molecular or genomic assays for translational research in pharmaceutical or biotechnology settings.
• Demonstrated expertise with DNA- and RNA-based technologies such as ddPCR, next-generation sequencing, or related molecular platforms.
• Experience leading fit-for-purpose assay development, qualification or validation, transfer, and clinical implementation, including application to diverse clinical sample types.

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