Scientific Director, Sequencing Research and Genomics (SRG)

At Bristol Myers Squibb, we are inspired by a single vision – transforming patients’ lives through science. In oncology, hematology, immunology and cardiovascular disease – and one of the most diverse and promising pipelines in the industry – each of our passionate colleagues contribute to innovations that drive meaningful change. We bring a human touch to every treatment we pioneer. Join us and make a difference.

Scientific Director, Sequencing Research and Genomics (SRG)

San Diego, CA

We are seeking a talented and highly motivated research scientist to join our Sequencing Research and Genomics team in San Diego. The successful candidate will lead a team or researchers responsible for developing and deploying novel -omics technologies to elucidate disease and therapeutic mechanisms during the early stages of drug discovery.

The role will involve close partnership with scientists  from BMS Research and Early Development (R&ED) to drive new experimental and data capture strategies, and will include inter-disciplinary collaborations with computational research colleagues to maximize the depth and robustness of insights derived from: single-cell transcriptional, mutational, and epigenetic profiling datasets; digital spatial profiling platforms; high throughput RNA Seq technologies for cell model and compound profiling; CRISPR-based screening technologies to discern novel drug candidate mechanisms of action.

In addition, the successful candidate will be the point of contact for managing collaborations with other BMS R&ED teams to enable the strategic use of -omics technologies to advance BMS pipeline programs.   Key stakeholders include researchers in BMS Thematic Research Centers (TRCs) and colleagues in the Informatics and Predictive Sciences (IPS) department, engaged in work towards key objectives for BMS R&ED. 

This position suits an individual with demonstrated scientific talent, management experience, collaborative abilities, and excellent communication skills.  Prior success in inter-disciplinary application of high-throughput molecular profiling methods to life sciences data is imperative.

Applications are encouraged from those looking to impact delivery of truly innovative and life-changing therapies for complex diseases of unmet medical need.

Responsibilities

• Direct line management of a team of researchers responsible for developing and deploying novel -omics technologies
• Collaborate with scientists across BMS R&ED to develop and execute on -omics strategies to address key scientific questions related to target selection and validation, elucidation of disease mechanisms,  characterization of novel drug candidates, and biomarker hypotheses
• Supervise the design and execution of single-cell NGS profiling experiments to elucidate mechanisms key to disease state, identify and validate putative therapeutic targets, and support pre-clinical therapeutic response biomarker hypotheses using pre-clinical disease models and patient samples.
• Innovative research at the leading edge of single-cell and spatial profiling technologies, including implementation of novel protocols drawn from the literature, BMS academic collaborators, and/or in-house efforts, aligned to BMS scientific research objectives.
• Development and deployment of high throughput screening platforms to better understand the mechanisms and therapeutic potentials for novel drug candidate; including but not limited to CRISPR-based screen and high-throughput RNA-Seq.
• Advise on sample extraction, library preparation and QC, guide collection of supporting metadata, and collaborate with computational research colleagues during analytical research.
• Plan and direct the design and execution of pilot experiments to test new protocols, assess new profiling platforms and external vendors.
• Contribute to the operation of internal next-generation sequencing (NGS) resources and development of supporting infrastructures, including documentation of protocols developed and supervision of technical support staff as required.
• Present strategies, approaches, results and conclusions to BMS colleagues and external audiences to a publishable standard.
• Contribute to strategic collaborations with academic and commercial collaborators to benefit therapeutic programs.
• Foster partnerships with bench science groups across BMS R&ED.  Advise on experimental design, technology platforms, and data interpretation.  Collaborate with experimentalists across R&ED to enable robust and strategic use of -omics technologies across the organization.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent in molecular biology, biochemistry or related discipline at a recognized higher-education establishment.
• At least 10 years of inter-disciplinary research and demonstrated management experience with focus on cell or molecular profiling to elucidate human disease in academic or biotechnology research scenarios.
• Expertise in performing state of the art NGS and single-cell profiling studies with demonstrable record of innovative protocol development and peer-reviewed publication in relevant areas.
• Experience in use of NGS, epigenomics, and/or single-cell profiling methods to answer complex research questions in cancer biology, autoimmune disease, epigenetics and/or immune biology preferable.
• Experience in using complementary cell profiling platforms, e.g., flow cytometry, PDX models preferable.
• In-depth knowledge in advanced NGS technologies and experimental design considerations, and familiarity with downstream bioinformatics approaches applied to process, analyze, visualize and interpret NGS datasets.
• Awareness of contemporary LIMS schema, open-source bioinformatics tools and database structures.
• Experience in performing functional assays to validate experimental findings.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills, proven problem-solving skills, collaborative nature and adaptability across disciplines
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Fluent verbal and written English language skills prerequisite.

Around the world, we are passionate about making an impact on the lives of patients with serious diseases. Empowered to apply our individual talents and diverse perspectives in an inclusive culture, our shared values of passion, innovation, urgency, accountability, inclusion and integrity bring out the highest potential of each of our colleagues.

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. 

Physical presence at the BMS worksite or physical presence in the field is an essential job function of this role which the Company deems critical to collaboration, innovation, productivity, employee well-being and engagement, and enhances the Company culture.

To protect the safety of our workforce, customers, patients and communities, the policy of the Company requires all employees and workers in the U.S. and Puerto Rico to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless they have received an exception based on an approved request for a medical or religious reasonable accommodation.  Therefore, all BMS applicants seeking a role located in the U.S. and Puerto Rico must confirm that they have already received or are willing to receive the full COVID-19 vaccination by their start date as a qualification of the role and condition of employment.  This requirement is subject to state and local law restrictions and may not be applicable to employees working in certain jurisdictions such as Montana. This requirement is also subject to discussions with collective bargaining representatives in the U.S.

Our company is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request an approval of accommodation prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application or if you are applying to a role based in the U.S. or Puerto Rico and you believe that you are unable to receive a COVID-19 vaccine due to a medical condition or sincerely held religious belief, during or any part of the recruitment process, please direct your inquiries to adastaffingsupport@bms.com. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

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