Associate Scientist Jobs in Washington
Associate Scientist jobs in Washington are in strong demand, with consistent openings across the state's life sciences, biotechnology, and environmental research sectors at levels from entry-level lab associate through senior scientist. Seattle, Bothell, and Olympia anchor most of the hiring, with established employers like Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Adaptive Biotechnologies, and the Washington State Department of Ecology maintaining steady associate scientist rosters. The most in-demand specialties in Washington are molecular biology, environmental science, and analytical chemistry. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Associate Scientist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 7+ Associate Scientist jobs











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 .
Position Summary
Bristol Myers Squibb is seeking an enthusiastic, self-driven individual to join the Gene Delivery and Editing Process Development team within the Cell Therapy Development organization. The Gene Delivery and Editing Process Development team develops the processes and technologies underpinning critical raw materials used in the manufacturing of engineered T cells. The primary focus of this Associate Scientist will be to support process development, production, and characterization of early and late-stage viral vectors (lentiviral vectors and/or adeno-associated viruses). This position will be providing technical subject matter expertise with internal and/or external development and manufacturing collaborators for activities including tech transfer, process characterization, and pre-clinical or clinical process lifecycle management.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform hands-on experimental work in the early-phase development and optimization of primarily upstream (mammalian cell culture, stirred tank bioreactors, and transient transfection) unit operations for viral vector production. Experience in downstream (clarification, AEX chromatography, Tangential Flow Filtration) viral vector production is a bonus.
- Support process and technology development for viral vector manufacturing platforms
- Support late-phase development activities including process characterization
- Design, plan, execute, and analyze lab experiments using statistical design of experiment (DOE) principles
- Maintain proper documentation of experimental results using an electronic lab notebook
- Summarize and present scientific data; communicate progress to project teams
- Author technical documents including protocols and internal development reports
- Follow lab safety rules and practices
Qualifications & Experience
- B.S. with 5+ years or M.S. with 2+ years of hands-on upstream experience (downstream is a plus)
- Ability to design experiments with design of experiment (DOE) approaches, perform experiments, and interpret the results using statistical software (ex. JMP)
- Independently motivated with ability to multi-task, problem-solve, train team members on lab operations, and coordinate activities within a team
- Desire and drive to learn the biological mechanism of cell and gene therapy products and passion for their impact on the lives of patients with serious diseases
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely through oral presentation and technical writing
- Embrace BMS shared values of passion, innovation, urgency, accountability, inclusion and integrity.
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:
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 are eligible to take advantage of the Global Shutdown.
*Eligibility Disclosure: T he summer hours program is for United States (U.S.) office-based employees due to the unique nature of their work. Summer hours are generally not available for field sales and manufacturing operations and may also be limited for the capability centers. Employees in remote-by-design or lab-based roles may be eligible for summer hours, depending on the nature of their work, and should discuss eligibility with their manager. Employees covered under a collective bargaining agreement should consult that document to determine if they are eligible. Contractors, leased workers and other service providers are not eligible to participate in the 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.
Supporting People with Disabilities
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.
Candidate Rights
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/
Data Protection
We will never request payments, financial information, or social security numbers during our application or recruitment process. Learn more about protecting yourself at https://careers.bms.com/fraud-protection .
Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.
If you believe that the job posting is missing information required by local law or incorrect in any way, please contact BMS at TAEnablement@bms.com . Please provide the Job Title and Requisition number so we can review. Communications related to your application should not be sent to this email and you will not receive a response. Inquiries related to the status of your application should be directed to Chat with Ripley.
R1605145 : Senior Associate Scientist, Gene Delivery and Editing Process DevelopmentSee All 7 Associate Scientist Jobs in Washington
Find roles in Washington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Associate Scientist JobsAssociate Scientist Jobs by City in Washington
Where Washington roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Associate Scientist Job Market in Washington
A snapshot from current Washington openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Washington Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in associate scientist jobs across Washington.
- Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, environmental science, or a related field
- Hands-on laboratory experience with standard analytical or molecular techniques
- Familiarity with GLP, GMP, or applicable regulatory compliance frameworks
- Proficiency with data analysis software and scientific documentation practices
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional research teams
- Experience with Washington State environmental or public health reporting standards preferred
Associate Scientist Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a associate scientist in Washington?
Most associate scientist roles in Washington require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a relevant science such as biology, chemistry, or environmental science, with many employers preferring candidates who also have research experience from internships or university labs. Washington does not issue a general state license for associate scientists, but roles in environmental consulting may require registration with the Washington State Department of Ecology, and clinical laboratory positions may fall under Washington's Department of Health lab certification requirements.
Which companies hire associate scientists in Washington?
Employers hiring associate scientists in Washington right now include Bristol Myers Squibb, WSP, and Evotec, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Washington's concentration of biotech firms, federal research labs, and state environmental agencies means hiring activity is distributed across both private industry and the public sector.
Which Washington cities have the most associate scientist jobs?
Seattle, Redmond, and Bothell have the most associate scientist openings in Washington. Seattle's dense cluster of biotech, pharmaceutical, and research hospital employers drives the largest share of postings, while Bothell and Olympia attract openings through regional biotech campuses and Washington State agency offices respectively.
Are there remote associate scientist jobs in Washington?
Yes, but they're uncommon. Associate scientist work is largely hands-on and lab-based, limiting full remote options. About 75% of associate scientist openings tied to Washington are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those tend to be data analysis, regulatory writing, or bioinformatics-focused positions rather than bench science roles.
How can I get hired as a associate scientist in Washington with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to research associate or lab technician roles at Washington's major research institutions, which routinely hire candidates directly out of undergraduate programs. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and the University of Washington run new investigator and research training programs that welcome applicants without professional experience. Adjacent roles such as laboratory assistant or research coordinator build the hands-on foundation employers look for, and completing a Washington community college laboratory science certificate strengthens a candidate's profile considerably.
Where can I find and apply to associate scientist jobs in Washington?
You can find and apply to associate scientist jobs in Washington on Migrate Mate, which lists current Washington openings from employers actively hiring. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and location, and apply directly to the employer through the listing.
See All 7 Associate Scientist Jobs in Washington
Find roles in Washington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Associate Scientist Jobs