Associate Scientist, Translational Research, Protein Homeostasis TRC San Diego

Associate Scientist, Translational Research Protein Homeostasis Thematic Research Center

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:

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 Associate Scientist will play a critical role in advancing translational research within the Protein Homeostasis Thematic Research Center (PH TRC), supporting early‑phase clinical development through laboratory‑based experimentation. This position involves designing and executing translational assays to generate mechanistic and pharmacodynamic insights that inform first‑in‑human studies. Responsibilities include culturing primary cells and established cell lines, performing viability and combination studies, and conducting molecular analyses such as PCR and Western blot.

The role also encompasses developing and optimizing assays for clinical sample analysis, ensuring robust, reproducible data under stringent quality standards. Working in a collaborative, cross‑functional environment, the Associate Scientist will partner closely with global teams to deliver high‑quality translational data that drives decision‑making in Phase 1 trials.

• Cell‑Based Experiments:
  Culture and maintain primary cells and established cell lines; perform viability assays, combination studies, and other functional experiments to support translational objectives.
• Molecular Analyses:
  Execute molecular biology techniques such as PCR, Western blot, and related assays to generate mechanistic and pharmacodynamic insights.
• Assay Development:
  Design, optimize, and validate translational assays for clinical sample analysis, ensuring robustness, reproducibility, and alignment with Phase 1 study requirements.
• Data Documentation & Integrity:
  Record experimental procedures and results in electronic lab notebooks (ELN) and relevant systems, maintaining data integrity, version control, and traceability.
• Quality & Compliance:
  Adhere to laboratory safety standards and internal quality systems; maintain audit‑ready documentation and ensure compliance with QMS requirements.
• Cross‑Functional
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Partner with translational scientists, biomarker teams, and global collaborators to align assay development with clinical study timelines and objectives.
• Continuous Improvement:
  Contribute to process optimization and implementation of best practices to enhance efficiency and scientific rigor in translational workflows.

• Bachelor’s Degree (2+ years of academic and/or industry experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline (eg, Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology) with at least 2 years of hands‑on laboratory experience; prior experience in biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in cell culture techniques, including primary cells and immortalized cell lines.
• Experience with molecular biology…