Senior Director, Neuroscience Translational Pharmacology

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.

The Neuroscience TRC is committed to the development of transformational therapeutics for patients with neurodegenerative, neuromuscular and neuropsychiatric diseases. A network of internal and external partnerships across neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases and treatment modalities (small molecules, biologics and genetic medicines) supports our ambition to become leaders in neuroscience. Internal research focuses on causal human biology, matching therapeutic modality to molecular mechanism, and translational discovery enabling a rapid path to clinical proof-of-concept. 

Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the identification of disease modifying and symptomatic therapies for neurodegenerative, neuropsychiatric and neuromuscular diseases; approaches to modulate protein clearance and reduce or eliminate toxic protein production; brain transporter technology and genetic medicines that when matched to underlying causal human biology may deliver a precision medicine portfolio with a high probability of translational success; AI/ML in target identification drug discovery; neuroimaging and fluid biomarkers to track disease progression and target engagement; novel blood brain-barrier technologies to enhance delivery of biotherapeutics and genetic medicines across the blood-brain barrier.

Position Summary:

The Neuroscience Thematic Research Center (Neuro TRC) leverages external collaborations and internal research to establish a portfolio targeting unmet needs in neurodegenerative, neuropsychiatric, neuroinflammatory and neuromuscular, diseases.   The Senior Director, Neuroscience Discovery, in collaboration with other members of the Neuroscience TRC, be responsible for the design, conduct, and interpretation of translational pharmacology studies supporting the neuroscience discovery and early development pipeline, with particular emphasis on neurodegenerative and neuromuscular disease programs. This role serves as a key scientific and strategic partner across the Neuroscience TRC and broader BMS Research organization.

This position is based in Cambridge, MA.

Position Responsibilities:

In the role as a Senior Director, Translational Pharmacology, the candidate will:

• Directly manage, mentor, and develop a team of scientists responsible for designing, executing, and interpreting in vivo and translational pharmacology studies across the neuroscience portfolio.

• Ensure scientific rigor, reproducibility, and regulatory-appropriate quality in study design, data interpretation, and reporting.

• Set team priorities, resource plans, and timelines aligned with program and portfolio needs.

• Work collaboratively to establish, maintain and integrate transgenic and other animal models to evaluate and select drug candidates for further investment

• Contribute to Neuroscience portfolio governance within the Neuroscience TRC

• Oversee the design and execution of pharmacology studies (efficacy, target engagement, PK/PD, biomarker) to support IND-enabling activities and entry into early clinical development.

• Partner with colleagues in Translational Discovery, Translational Medicine and early Clinical Development to ensure alignment between preclinical models and clinical biomarker/endpoint strategy.

• Play an active role in shaping research strategy across the neuroscience portfolio

• Identify, recommend, and oversee relationships with academic collaborators and CRO partners; ensure quality, timelines, and scientific integrity of externally generated data.

• Represent the organization in interactions with external partners, guiding collaborative research activities.

Experience =

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 

  • 10+ years of academic and / or industry experience

• 8+ years of leadership experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD with 15+ years of experience in drug discovery research spanning small molecule, biotherapeutics and genetic medicines discovery

• Experience leading and supervising PhD, MS/MA and BS/BA scientists

• Experience creating and applying genetically engineered animal models of neurologic disease towards identification an characterization of novel therapeutics

• Experience leading drug discovery programs from ideation to delivery of a therapeutic candidate

• Expertise in quantitative analysis of neuropathological endpoints as applied to animal models of neurodegenerative disease

• Expertise in blood-brain-barrier delivery technologies spanning bi-specific antibodies and genetic medicines

• Experience leading and contributing to external collaborations and partnerships

• Experience participating on external diligence teams to identify opportunities for partnering and/or licensing

• Deep understanding of unmet need and clinical outcome measures used in studies focused on neurodegenerative disorders

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Ability to work both independently and as an integrated member of multidisciplinary drug development teams

#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/

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