Director, Bioconjugation

At Bristol Myers Squibb, our employees often ask, “Who are you working for?”—a question that fuels collaboration, accountability, and urgency in our work. 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.

Position Summary

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 advancing bioconjugate therapeutics from concept through development candidate nomination.
• Depth in oligonucleotide therapeutics (siRNA, ASO) applied to conjugates: oligo design and chemical modification, conjugate purification, analytical characterization, and the delivery/PK considerations specific to antibody–RNA conjugates.
• Hands on experience with glycan-mediated bioconjugation platforms.
• Targeted protein degradation experience and the specific challenges of conjugating and delivering degrader payloads.
• Experience with dual-payload or multi-payload conjugate design and the orthogonal conjugation strategies it requires.
• CMC and tech-transfer exposure; experience supporting IND-enabling packages for conjugate modalities.
• Experience with high-throughput/automated conjugation and screening, and with computational or ML-guided conjugate design.
• Business development and due diligence experience evaluating external bioconjugation assets and technologies.
• Strong external scientific reputation: publication record, patents, invited presentations.

#LI-Onsite

We hire for skills and capabilities, not just credentials – if this role excites you, but doesn’t perfectly match your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway.

The starting pay range(s) listed above is for full-time employees (FTE). You may also be eligible for additional discretionary incentive cash and stock opportunities. We determine starting pay thoughtfully – carefully considering the nature of the role, required skills, work location, schedule and the knowledge and experience you bring. Final compensation is guided by pay equity principles and applicable employment laws. Compensation programs are reviewed on an ongoing basis and may be adjusted over time to reflect evolving market factors, and individual, team or Company performance.

Benefits:

Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect, you may be eligible to participate in our comprehensive benefit plans – including wellbeing support, retirement and financial protection benefits, and insurance offerings (medical, dental, vision, life and disability).

U.S.-based exempt employees are eligible for Flexible Time Off (FTO), which provides paid time off without a set accrual limit, subject to manager approval, along with 11 paid company holidays each year.

Non-exempt employees, RayzeBio employees, and employees located in Puerto Rico receive 160 hours of paid vacation annually for new hires (subject to manager approval), 11 paid company holidays, and 3 optional holidays.

Depending on eligibility, employees may also have access to additional time-off benefits, including paid sick leave, up to two paid volunteer days per year, summer hours flexibility, and leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, or military needs. Eligible employees also enjoy an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

U.S.-based job seekers can explore full benefit offerings at https://careers.bms.com/benefits

How We Work

Where you work matters – because collaboration, innovation and patient impact happen in many settings. Our roles are structured across four work models: site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design. The model assigned to this role is based on its core responsibilities. Learn more at https://careers.bms.com/ways-of-working.

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 [email protected]. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

Candidate Rights

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

For roles based in Los Angeles County only:  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

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