About this role
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.
Compensation Overview
Cambridge Crossing: $266,590 - $323,049