Principal Scientist, RNA Synthesis Process Sciences

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: careers.bms.com/working-with-us.

Position Summary

The Principal Scientist, RNA Synthesis Process Sciences role plays a central part in collaborating with research and manufacturing to define early process conditions and scale down process development. By combining deep scientific expertise with enabling technologies and strong cross-functional partnerships, RNA Process Development delivers transformative innovation across the pipeline.

The Principal Scientist is a scientific leader responsible for driving RNA drug substance synthesis and circularization strategies, influencing cross-functional decisions, and delivering high-impact outcomes across increasingly diverse portfolio.

The Principal Scientist provides scientific leadership for drug substance programs spanning preclinical to early stage development across circular and linear mRNA modalities. This role encompasses hands-on and technical leadership contributions by driving sound experimental execution and establishing linkages from a research concept to manufacturing implementation. The candidate should be driven by developing and characterizing RNA synthesis processes for improving the yield, quality and robustness.

Key Responsibilities

Scientific Leadership

• Lead RNA synthesis process research for drug substance programs across a portfolio that may include circular RNA and mRNA, spanning preclinical to early-stage development.
• Provide strategic oversight of reaction design, process development, and manufacturability, while contributing hands-on scientific input where needed to resolve critical technical challenges.
• Apply high throughput. data drive approaches to assess and mitigate risks, defining mitigation strategies and making critical scientific recommendations at key program milestones
• Represent drug substance development strategies in cross-functional CMC teams, ensuring alignment across research, analytical development, engineering, regulatory affairs, and supply chain

People Leadership & Talent Development

• Set clear priorities and objectives for Synthesis Process Sciences in alignment with portfolio goals and RNA PD’s broader organizational strategy
• Mentor and develop scientists across RNA SPS, contributing to a culture of scientific excellence and continuous learning
• Foster an inclusive, high-performance team environment built on psychological safety, accountability, and collaboration

Innovation & Organizational Contribution

• Propose and lead departmental initiatives that improve scientific workflows, sustainability practices, and operational efficiency
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with external academic institutions and industry partners to accelerate scientific advancement
• Represent capabilities at internal reviews, scientific conferences, and through peer-reviewed publications

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as a key scientific voice in cross-functional CMC teams and broader enterprise forums
• Partner with functional areas - including research, analytical development, engineering, and drug product development
• Collaborate with organization leadership to drive strategic alignment across the portfolio

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in Bio/Chemical Engineering, Bio/Chemistry, or related field MS with 8+ years’ or PhD with 3+ years’ experience in science related disciplines
• Expertise with in vitro transcription, enzymatic reactions, and innovative reaction unit-operations
• Expertise in high throughput experimentation and automation of upstream unit operations
• Working knowledge of statistical design of experiments (DoE) and analysis of multivariate data
• Experience with performing and interpreting process analytics and biophysical characterization techniques such as HPLC, CE, NGS & gel electrophoresis
• Experience working with CROs managing DNA supply and supporting DNA process troubleshooting as it relates to RNA production
• Knowledge of cGMP, ICH, regulatory guidelines and QbD principles as they apply to risk management and clinical manufacturing
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with the ability to convey complex scientific concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Ability to lead complex projects independently and influence decisions across matrixed teams and governance forums.
• Prior experience managing, mentoring, or developing scientists in an industrial setting
• Demonstrated background of establishing early process definitions in preclinical to clinical manufacturing settings
• Knowledge of advanced mathematics, nucleic acid chemistry, lipid chemistry, and biology is a plus
• Knowledge of establishing and qualifying scale down models and mechanistic models for process characterization is a plus

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.

Cambridge - MA - US: $153,660 - $186,203


The starting compensation range(s) for this role are listed above for a full-time employee (FTE) basis. Additional incentive cash and stock opportunities (based on eligibility) may be available. The starting pay rate takes into account characteristics of the job, such as required skills, where the job is performed, the employee’s work schedule, job-related knowledge, and experience. 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 https://careers.bms.com/life-at-bms/.
 

Benefit offerings are subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans in effect at the time and may require enrollment. Our benefits include:

• Health Coverage: Medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision care.

• Wellbeing Support: Programs such as BMS Well-Being Account, BMS Living Life Better, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).

• Financial Well-being and Protection: 401(k) plan, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, accident insurance, supplemental health insurance, business travel protection, personal liability protection, identity theft benefit, legal support, and survivor support.

​Work-life benefits include:

Paid Time Off

• US Exempt Employees: flexible time off (unlimited, with manager approval, 11 paid national holidays (not applicable to employees in Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico or Rayzebio employees)

• Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico and Rayzebio Exempt, Non-Exempt, Hourly Employees: 160 hours annual paid vacation for new hires with manager approval, 11 national holidays, and 3 optional holidays

Based on eligibility*, additional time off for employees may include unlimited paid sick time, up to 2 paid volunteer days per year, summer hours flexibility, leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, and military needs and an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas and New Years Day.

All global employees full and part-time who are actively employed at and paid directly by BMS at the end of the calendar year are eligible to take advantage of the Global Shutdown.

*Eligibility Disclosure: The summer hours program is for United States (U.S.) office-based employees due to the unique nature of their work. Summer hours are generally not available for field sales and manufacturing operations and may also be limited for the capability centers. Employees in remote-by-design or lab-based roles may be eligible for summer hours, depending on the nature of their work, and should discuss eligibility with their manager. Employees covered under a collective bargaining agreement should consult that document to determine if they are eligible. Contractors, leased workers and other service providers are not eligible to participate in the program.

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 a supportive culture, promoting global participation 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 an 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.

Supporting People with Disabilities

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.

Candidate Rights

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/

Data Protection

We will never request payments, financial information, or social security numbers during our application or recruitment process. Learn more about protecting yourself at https://careers.bms.com/fraud-protection.

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

If you believe that the job posting is missing information required by local law or incorrect in any way, please contact BMS at TAEnablement@bms.com. Please provide the Job Title and Requisition number so we can review. Communications related to your application should not be sent to this email and you will not receive a response. Inquiries related to the status of your application should be directed to Chat with Ripley.

R1603715 : Principal Scientist, RNA Synthesis Process Sciences