Summer 2025 - Lead Discovery and Optimization Internship

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.

Position Summary

We at Bristol-Myers Squibb are seeking to hire a highly motivated individual to join our Lead Discovery and Optimization (LDO) team located in Lawrenceville, NJ. The successful candidate will join a group dedicated to developing and utilizing cutting-edge technologies to identify and validate therapeutics to treat oncology, immunology, cardiovascular and fibrosis diseases. In pursuit of this goal, the candidate will participate in ongoing assay development and drug discovery programs in cardiovascular disease. The work will focus on development and optimization of a medium-throughput contractility assay using induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CM) monolayers cultured on flexible membrane. The candidate will gain experience in stem cell culture and assay development to support early discovery proof-of-concept studies and optimize biologics/ small molecules for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. The candidate must be able to work independently as well as with guidance from a manager and demonstrate good written and oral communication skills. The candidate will contribute meaningfully to the validation and progression of novel therapies towards the pursuit of treating patients

Key Responsibilities

• Maintenance and differentiation of iPSC into cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs).
• Characterize iPSC-CMs with immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry analysis.
• Design and execute contractility assays with supervision.
• Analyze, interpret, compile, and present results when necessary to the appropriate forums. 
• Complete timely and thorough documentation of electronic laboratory notebooks.
• Additional technical opportunities are possible depending on project needs.
• Maintain a safe work environment in accordance with policies/procedures/regulations.

Qualifications & Experience

• Enrollment in University Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program studying relevant scientific discipline with at least two (2) years of cell biology course work.
• Minimum three (3) semesters of laboratory course work.
• Understanding of stem cell biology and tissue engineering techniques with preferred hands-on experience in cell culture or tissue culture. Prior work experience with human derived iPSC preferred.
• Experience in independently generating precise, reliable data and analysis.
• Possess a high level of critical thinking, high energy, independence, a strong desire to learn new techniques, and the ability to work in a highly dynamic research organization.
• Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills.

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 o