Scientist or Sr. Scientist, Solid State Form and Powder Properties Characterization

Job
USA
October 24, 2025

Job Description

R1596166

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. 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.

Our Drug Product Development team is committed to CMC design, development, and commercialization of innovative drug products to improve patient lives. We leverage the best people, collaboration, and cutting-edge innovation to achieve this commitment. BMS’s internal engine of innovation includes unrivaled industry leading expertise in CMC development of small molecules, protein biotherapeutics, protein degraders, and other therapeutic modalities. We collaborate closely with our colleagues in R&D and Commercial to design our drug products. Here, you’ll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities that are uncommon in scale and scope.

Materials Science & Engineering (MSE) in Drug Product Development (DPD) plays an integral role in the development and characterization of powder materials used in various applications and building robust form and powder property control strategies of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in the drug product. 

Material characterization scientist will be responsible for solid state form and powder properties characterization to guide robust drug substance and drug product development throughout all stages of development (from discovery to commercialization). It is expected that the candidate will work with a broad range of materials, including crystalline and non-crystalline small molecule APIs, drug product intermediates and excipients, and biologics.

The scientist will be responsible for building powder property knowledge (linking powder properties to drug substance and product processability and quality attributes), identifying critical quality attributes and proposing powder property control strategies. Strong communication, interpersonal and leadership skills are key since the scientist will operate within cross-functional teams.

Key job responsibilities

  • Design and execute experiments to evaluate the physical and chemical properties of powders such as form/polymorph, thermal properties, particle size, surface area, morphology, as well as support solid state characterization method development, optimization, troubleshooting, validation, and transfer.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to provide technical expertise and support in selection, processing, and optimization of powder materials for specific applications.
  • Generate accurate and detailed reports, documenting experimental procedures, results, and conclusions.
  • Contribute to the development of new methodologies and techniques for form and powder characterization and analysis.
  • Assist in the scale-up and manufacturing processes of powder-based products, ensuring quality and consistency.
  • Collaborate with external partners, such as vendors and academic institutions, to leverage their expertise and resources for powder-related projects.
  • Maintain a safe and organized laboratory environment, adhering to all relevant safety protocols and guidelines

This role may be appointed at the Scientist or Senior Senior Scientist level. Candidates with demonstrated experience and expertise will be considered for the appropriate level.

Requirements

  • Senior Scientist: Ph.D. in a relevant field (e.g., physical chemistry, materials/pharmaceutical science, chemical engineering) with 2–4 years of industry experience, or MS with 4–6 years, or BS with 7–9 years
  • Scientist: Ph.D. in a relevant field (e.g., physical chemistry, materials/pharmaceutical science, chemical engineering) with 0–2 years of industry experience, or MS with 2–4 years, or BS with 5–7 years
  • Expertise in solid state characterization techniques such as XRD, TGA, DSC, vapor sorption, vibrational spectroscopy, single crystal crystallography, ssNMR, surface area (BET), particle size (LLS), microscopy (e.g., SEM), static and dynamic image analysis (such as Malvern Morphologi G4 and Sympatec QicPic) is preferred.
  • Knowledge of drug substance and drug product manufacturing processes as well as knowledge of other bulk characterization techniques (such as powder flow, rheology, friability, stickiness etc) is a plus.
  • Effective communication and collaboration skills to work within and lead cross-functional teams.
  • Understand and apply Quality by Design and DOE approaches when required.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to troubleshoot experimental challenges
  • Detail-oriented with strong organizational and documentation skills.
  • Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work in a fast-paced environment
  • This position requires employees to work with or come in contact with chemical agents which may pose health or safety hazards if improperly handled.

#LI-Onsite

#GPSProdDev

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:

New Brunswick – NJ – US: $101,800 – $123,353

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 then in effect and may include the following: Medical, pharmacy, dental and vision care. Wellbeing support such as the BMS Living Life Better program and employee assistance programs (EAP). Financial well-being resources and a 401(K). Financial protection benefits such as short- and long-term disability, life insurance, supplemental health insurance, business travel protection and survivor support. Work-life programs include paid national holidays and optional holidays, Global Shutdown Days between Christmas and New Year’s holiday, up to 120 hours of paid vacation, up to two (2) paid days to volunteer, sick time off, and summer hours flexibility. Parental, caregiver, bereavement, and military leave. Family care services such as adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, fertility/infertility benefits, support for traveling mothers, and child, elder and pet care resources. Other perks like tuition reimbursement and a recognition program.

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 a supportive culture, promoting global participation 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 an 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 of your role:

Site-essential roles require 100% of shifts onsite at your assigned facility. Site-by-design roles may be eligible for a hybrid work model with at least 50% onsite at your assigned facility. For these roles, onsite presence is considered an essential job function and is critical to collaboration, innovation, productivity, and a positive Company culture. For field-based and remote-by-design roles the ability to physically travel to visit customers, patients or business partners and to attend meetings on behalf of BMS as directed is an essential job function.

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 adastaffingsupport@bms.com. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

BMS cares about your well-being and the well-being of our staff, customers, patients, and communities. As a result, the Company strongly recommends that all employees be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 and keep up to date with Covid-19 boosters.

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

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/

Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.