Scientist – In Vitro Cancer Biology Full-time NEW

Scientist – In Vitro Cancer Biology

At RayzeBio, every day is an opportunity to ignite meaningful change. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bristol Myers Squibb, RayzeBio blends the nimble, pioneering spirit of an emergent biotech with the global expertise and resources of a leading innovator in oncology. Our mission is to develop transformative radiopharmaceutical therapies that offer new hope for patients living with cancer. Here, you'll join a multidisciplinary team where your ideas are valued, your expertise is amplified, and collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. From day one, expect to make an immediate impact—on our science, on our teams, and most importantly, on patients.

RayzeBio Inc. is a dynamic biotechnology company headquartered in San Diego, CA. Launched in late 2020 and recently acquired by Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) as a wholly owned subsidiary, the company is focused on improving survival of people with cancer by harnessing the power of targeted radioisotopes.

RayzeBio will operate as a standalone entity within the BMS organization, maintaining its biotech culture with the opportunity to leverage the best-in-class oncology capabilities of BMS. RayzeBio is developing innovative drugs against targets of solid tumors. The lead asset, RYZ101, is in Phase 3 testing for patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs), as well as earlier stage testing for patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Led by a successful and experienced entrepreneurial team, RayzeBio aims to be the global leader in radiopharmaceuticals.

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated Scientist to join our biology team in a laboratory-based role that supports the advancement of novel Radiopharmaceutical therapies from the lab into clinical testing. The successful candidate will design, develop, and optimize in vitro and biochemical assays to answer challenging scientific questions and to support target validation, compound screening and mechanism of action studies for various pipeline projects. The ideal candidate is an innovative, critical thinker and technical problem solver with a strong background in cell biology who enjoys working in interdisciplinary drug discovery teams. The role requires an ability and willingness to work with radioactive isotopes.

Job Responsibilities

• Design, develop and optimize biochemical and cell-based assays to quantitatively characterize drug–target interactions in purified protein systems and live or fixed cells to support target validation, compound screening, and mechanism of action studies.
• Apply rigorous equilibrium and kinetic binding models to extract quantitative parameters (Kd, Ki, kon, koff, residence time, stoichiometry) from radiometric and fluorescence-based platforms.
• Design experiments to distinguish specific versus non-specific binding and to control receptor expression levels, probe depletion, and rebinding effects.
• Interpret cellular target engagement data in the context of structure–function relationships, conformational dynamics, and mechanism of action.
• Utilize appropriate statistical and computational tools to ensure assay robustness (Z′ factor, CV, signal window) and reproducibility.
• Translate complex scientific questions into robust, reproducible assays that can be adopted by the biology team.
• Lead projects to support the overall biology screening and evaluation plan, work closely with chemists, DMPK, imaging and in vivo teams to ensure implementation of screening funnel and appropriate prioritization of experiments.
• Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams, providing technical expertise and solutions to experimental challenges.
• Maintain rigorous documentation of assay development processes, protocols, and results.
• Safely work with radioactive isotopes in accordance with laboratory and regulatory guidelines.

Qualifications & Skills

• Ph.D. degree in Cancer Biology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, or a related field.
• Prior experience of working on drug discovery projects in an industrial or an academic setting is preferred.
• Strong hands-on experience in assay development and optimization, including both biochemical and cell-based assays.
• Proficiency with cell culture, molecular biology techniques, ELISA, Plate-based pathway activation assays, flow-cytometry, western blot, TR-FRET/HTRF, fluorescence-based competitive binding, and/or high-content imaging and related protocols.
• Innovative, critical thinker with a problem-solving mindset.
• Ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary drug discovery teams.
• Excellent communication skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• A strong track record of publications is an advantage.
• Familiarity with drug development process and interfacing and working with interdisciplinary teams
• Ability to work with radioisotopes with strict adherence to radiation safety protocols.
• Uses AI tools to enhance individual productivity and quality of work

Preferred Skills

• Possesses experience in handling radioactive materials.
• Demonstrated expertise in implementing high-throughput or automated binding assays.
• Proficient in additional biophysical methods, such as SPR, BLI, ITC, and MST.
• Experienced with live-cell target engagement platforms, including NanoBRET, CETSA, and proximity-based assays.
• Knowledgeable in receptor trafficking, internalization kinetics, and membrane biology.
• Supported drug discovery programs spanning from hit identification to lead optimization.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.

This is a position that requires working in a laboratory environment, protective clothing, gloves, and safety glasses are required while working in a laboratory environment with radioactive materials.

Work Environment:

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Why Join Us

This position offers the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge radiopharmaceutical research and to make a tangible impact on the translation of novel therapies into clinical development. You will work alongside a collaborative, interdisciplinary team in an environment that values innovation and scientific excellence.

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.

Compensation Overview:

San Diego – RayzeBio – CA: $118,259 – $143,302

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