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 rich in diversity. 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.

The Cancer Immunology and Cellular Therapy Thematic Research Center is one of the fundamental research and development engines within BMS delivering therapeutics to patients.  Our mission is to drive leadership in the use of immune effector and cell-based therapies in hematological disorders and solid tumors.  Within the Cell Therapy Research organization, we are focused on developing engineered cell-based therapies to effectively target and eliminate cancers or autoimmune disorders to provide a hope for lasting cures.  The team integrates technology innovation seamlessly with therapeutic discovery, translational research and early clinical development in collaboration with colleagues across the Research and Development organization. 

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. 

We are seeking a distinguished and highly experienced Director to join our team as a leading expert in engineered T cell therapies within the Cell Therapy Research organization. This senior-level role will be instrumental in driving and supporting teams dedicated to pioneering new technologies to engineer T cells for oncology and autoimmune disorders. The successful candidate will provide strategic and scientific leadership, leveraging their deep expertise in immunology and T cell biology to guide these teams from the earliest stages of technology conception through to delivering IND-ready cell therapy development candidates.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Serve as the senior immunology and T cell biology expert, offering strategic guidance and oversight to ensure scientific excellence and innovation in T cell engineering strategies

Drive the discovery and development of novel T cell engineering approaches, from initial concept through to the delivery of IND-ready development candidates

Provide leadership and strategic direction to research teams focused on developing cutting-edge technologies to enhance T cell function and improve allo evasion strategies 

Collaborate with senior leadership and cross-functional teams, including research, clinical, regulatory, and manufacturing, to ensure the successful advancement and integration of T cell therapies within the broader organizational strategy

Oversee and contribute to the preparation of IND-enabling biology and regulatory documents, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and requirements

Mentor and develop scientific leaders and junior scientists, fostering a culture of scientific rigor, collaboration, and innovation

Develop and sustain a culture of responsible innovation with integrity 

Basic Qualifications: 

Bachelor’s Degree

15+ years of academic and / or industry experience

Or

Master’s Degree

12+ years of academic and / or industry experience 

Or

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

8+ years of academic and / or industry experience 

AND

6+ years of leadership experience

Preferred Qualifications: 

Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree in Biology, Immunology or Bioengineering

10+ years industry experience and at least 7 years management experience 

T cell biology and immunology expert able to apply skills, theoretical knowledge and experience to provide scientific direction and approach to projects and challenges

Deep understanding of engineered T cell therapies and a vision for addressing current gaps and limitations

Expertise in advanced gene editing technologies and in viral and nonviral strategies for engineering T cells 

Demonstrated successes in engineering novel T cell engineering concepts and delivering development candidates, as evidenced by publication record, patents, and/or INDs/regulatory filings

Proven ability to support scientific leads and team members in developing novel T cell engineering strategies

Strategic scientific and project leadership abilities and demonstrated successes in advancing immunology, immuno-oncology or cell therapy candidates to clinic 

Strong communication and interpersonal skills for working with cross-functional teams and cross-departmental colleagues

Ability to present supportive arguments for highly complex ideas and programs to department-wide, cross-department and Governance bodies to champion ideas and programs

The starting compensation for this job is a range from $194,000 - $242,000 plus incentive cash and stock opportunities (based on eligibility).

The starting pay rate takes into account characteristics of the job, such as required skills and where the job is performed.

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 our BMS Career Site.

Benefit offerings are subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect and may include the following: Medical, pharmacy, dental and vision care. Wellbeing support such as the BMS Living Life Better program and employee assistance programs (EAP). Financial well-being resources and a 401(K). Financial protection benefits such as short- and long-term disability, life insurance, supplemental health insurance, business travel protection and survivor support. Work-life programs include paid national holidays and optional holidays, Global Shutdown days between Christmas and New Year’s holiday, up to 120 hours of paid vacation, up to two (2) paid days to volunteer, sick time off, and summer hours flexibility. Parental, caregiver, bereavement, and military leave. Family care services such as adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, fertility/infertility benefits, support for traveling mothers, and child, elder and pet care resources. Other perks like tuition reimbursement and a recognition program.

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.

Uniquely Interesting Work, Life-changing Careers
With a single vision as inspiring as “Transforming patients’ lives through science™ ”, every BMS employee plays an integral role in work that goes far beyond ordinary. Each of us is empowered to apply our individual talents and unique perspectives in an inclusive culture, promoting diversity in clinical trials, while our shared values of passion, innovation, urgency, accountability, inclusion and integrity bring out the highest potential of each of our colleagues.

On-site Protocol

BMS has a diverse occupancy structure that determines where an employee is required to conduct their work. This structure includes site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design jobs. The occupancy type that you are assigned is determined by the nature and responsibilities of your role:

Site-essential roles require 100% of shifts onsite at your assigned facility. Site-by-design roles may be eligible for a hybrid work model with at least 50% onsite at your assigned facility. For these roles, onsite presence is considered an essential job function and is critical to collaboration, innovation, productivity, and a positive Company culture. For field-based and remote-by-design roles the ability to physically travel to visit customers, patients or business partners and to attend meetings on behalf of BMS as directed is an essential job function.

BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, direct your inquiries to adastaffingsupport@bms.com. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

BMS cares about your well-being and the well-being of our staff, customers, patients, and communities. As a result, the Company strongly recommends that all employees be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 and keep up to date with Covid-19 boosters.

BMS will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area.

If you live in or expect to work from Los Angeles County if hired for this position, please visit this page for important additional information: https://careers.bms.com/california-residents/

Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.