Director, Bioconjugation

Director Of Bioconjugation

At Bristol Myers Squibb, 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.

We are seeking a Director of Bioconjugation to shape the strategic direction of bioconjugation strategy across our antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) and antibody–RNA conjugate (ARC/AOC) portfolio. This is a scientific leadership role focused exclusively on antibody-based conjugates. This role will lead a team of bioconjugation scientists and set the conjugation strategy while partnering with Chemistry on linker–payload design across a portfolio spanning small molecule cytotoxic payloads, oligonucleotide payloads, targeted protein degrader payloads, and dual-payload formats.

In addition, this Director position will build the platform capabilities our portfolio needs and implement them while working alongside Biologics, Chemistry and Biology teams to drive conjugate strategy from target selection through candidate nomination and transition to development.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the bioconjugation team; set scientific direction and deploy resources against portfolio priorities.
• Together with Global Chemistry set the enterprise bioconjugation strategy across the portfolio — conjugation chemistry selection, site-specificity approach, DAR distribution, and address the chemistry challenges that separate oligonucleotide payloads from small molecule payloads.
• Act as bioconjugation lead or co-lead on discovery program teams, owning conjugate design and delivery strategy from concept through candidate selection and transition to development.
• Partner closely with Global Discovery Chemistry, Biologics Discovery and Protein Engineering, Discovery Biology and Translational Sciences, DMPK, Toxicology, and Development; manage strategic external relationships including academic collaborations, technology partners, and CROs.
• Represent bioconjugation at governance and portfolio reviews, presenting strategy, data packages, and risk assessments; partner with Development and CMC to ensure discovery-stage conjugation choices are manufacturable and analytically tractable.
• Champion data capture, standardization, and computational/ML-enabled design approaches across the portfolio.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree 15+ years of academic / industry experience OR Master's Degree 12+ years of academic / industry experience OR PhD 8+ years of academic / industry experience
• 6+ years of leadership experience
• Degree in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• Deep, hands-on expertise in bioconjugation chemistry: cysteine and lysine conjugation, site-specific and enzymatic conjugation (e.g., transglutaminase, sortase, engineered tags), click and bioorthogonal chemistry, and linker design (cleavable and non-cleavable).
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with cytotoxic small molecule ADCs, plus direct experience with antibody–RNA/oligonucleotide conjugates, and working familiarity with degrader-antibody and dual-payload architectures.
• Direct experience with highly potent small molecule payload classes (e.g., topoisomerase I inhibitors, auristatins/maytansinoids, or comparable), including safe handling and containment requirements.
• Demonstrated program leadership: track record of leading discovery programs and setting program strategy, with candidates advanced to nomination or into clinical development.
• Ability to interpret and evaluate conjugate analytical data (RP-HPLC, SEC, HIC, IEX, LC-MS/HRMS, CE-SDS).
• Excellent written and verbal communication; proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive alignment across functions.

Preferred Qualification

• 8+ years of progressive leadership experience, including direct experience as the bioconjugation lead on discovery project teams, with a proven track record of…