BMS has reentered the neuroscience field with a strong presence and pipeline, creating opportunities for scientists and clinicians who want to transform patients’ lives.
Neuroscience careers at BMS are truly unique. The team is building biomedical solutions from the ground up, with the resources, focus, and energy needed to advance the science and deliver outcomes for patients.
Why should you consider BMS? Here are five reasons employees say the work is both inspiring and impactful.
1. You’ll be part of a clear, company-wide strategic vision
BMS’ reentry into neuroscience comes with a true “fresh start.” We have invested heavily in late-stage assets, next-generation technologies, and scientific talent. So, you’ll be working as part of a motivated, collaborative team committed to making a difference.
Employees agree there is a sense of joining on the ground floor of leading a new wave of innovative neuroscience.
“You’re pretty much building something that didn’t exist,” said Abigail Mariga, group leader in Neuroscience-Discovery Biology. “To me, that was a big draw. I would have an opportunity not just to grow but also make a meaningful impact.”
2. Cutting-edge science and a diverse pipeline
Neuroscience professionals at BMS are working on exciting projects and developing new strategies that could dramatically shape the future of biomedical research. Our recent approval and the Karuna Therapeutics acquisition have significantly expanded the therapeutic possibilities ahead. Our commitment to addressing the needs of people living with neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions has us working to develop life-changing medicines that modify disease and treat symptoms to improve quality of life.
Current research spans:
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Parkinson’s Disease
Early research includes work in:
- Biomarkers
- Brain-shuttle technologies
- Genetics-driven targets
- Stem-cell modeling
- Multi-modal approaches
This combination gives BMS a “full arc” of neuroscience innovation. The team moves from identifying a target to preclinical and clinical research and directly to patient outcomes. This pipeline makes research and development success a probable outcome.
3. It’s an unusual opportunity to have start-up energy within a global company
Large, global biopharmaceutical companies offer great benefits and experience, but neuroscience professionals often miss out on the dynamic environment of a start-up. Working with BMS gives you this opportunity.
Here, you can help shape the culture, improve processes, implement strategies, and design the organization from the early stages. Plus, BMS has enough stability to provide the support, resources, and tools you need.
4. You’ll enjoy greater autonomy and cross-functional exposure
Neuroscience at BMS is built on trust. Teams have the autonomy they need to move quickly while maintaining close access to senior leaders. You’ll work across disciplines, share ideas freely, and shape the opportunities you’re most passionate about, whether in neurology, psychiatry, discovery research, or clinical development.
Your ideas carry weight here. They influence the direction of the therapeutic area and are a core part of how the team works.
“The work we do is very focused on identifying opportunities that are going to be most promising for having an impact on patients,” said Andrew Kaplan, group leader within the BMS Neuroscience Discovery team. “Our efforts are very collaborative across internal teams and external partnerships.”
5. BMS offers a high-purpose, high-impact environment
Neuroscience is one of the most challenging yet most meaningful therapeutic areas. Team members join us because they want to help patients in urgent need. They are inspired by the personal stories they hear every day and share a strong commitment to advancing a field that has not made substantial progress in a long time.
As Senior Principal Scientist Abigail Mariga puts it, “The north star for us is the patients… I know there’s a lot of need out there, so we will not rest until that need is addressed.”
For people who want their work to matter deeply—who see patients, families, and their own lived experiences reflected in the mission—BMS offers an environment where purpose and impact come together every day.
Attributes of People Thriving within the BMS Neuroscience Team
Employees consistently describe a set of traits that help people succeed—and feel energized—within this uniquely challenging and deeply meaningful therapeutic area:
- Curiosity and a commitment to continuous learning: You don’t need to arrive with every skill. But you do need the drive to keep learning and asking the next question.
- Comfort with ambiguity: Timelines are long, and complexity is the norm.
- An agile, entrepreneurial mindset: The work often feels like a start-up inside a global organization — fast-moving, hands-on, and full of opportunity to shape what comes next. Falling back on “how it’s always been done” won’t work here.
- A “play to win” mentality: If you’re all-in on making a meaningful impact, you’ll fit right in.
- A collaborative, cross-functional approach to work: Breakthroughs in neuroscience demand true partnership. Success here is shared by people who listen to and solve problems together.
- A commitment to scientific rigor: At BMS, science is our foundation. In neuroscience, it drives bold ideas to create real-world impact.
The Benefits of Building a Career in Neuroscience at BMS
If you’re interested in a career in neuroscience, BMS offers meaningful science, an encouraging team culture, and a strong commitment to well-being. To review, here are the top reasons talented neuroscientists choose to build their careers at BMS.
- High visibility and access to senior leaders, unlike other global biopharmaceutical companies
- Real career mobility with the expanding pipeline within the neuroscience team
- Strong support, resources, and investment in tools, infrastructure, and cross-functional expertise
- Flexibility and well-being within the teams, with managers prioritizing psychological safety, transparency, and balance. While laboratory roles require on-site work, many other positions include flexible or hybrid options. Time off is respected, and well-being is woven into how teams operate.
- A rare and exciting chance to influence the future of this therapeutic area
BMS offers a chance to make a real difference in neuroscience. By focusing on this treatment area, your work can greatly enhance care for patients and their families as you help shape future therapies.
If you’re ready to help advance neuroscience in ways that were once thought impossible, we want to hear from you.
