Summer 2026 - Global Discovery Chemistry Internship

Undergraduate Internship Opportunity

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.

Position Summary

We have an exciting undergraduate internship opportunity at our San Diego, CA site within our dynamic small molecule drug discovery organization. As an intern, you will be at the forefront of developing innovative chemical transformations that are crucial to our drug discovery process. You will be tasked with using organic chemistry to prepare key intermediates and spearhead the investigation into the scope, mechanism, and optimization of chemical transformations. This role offers a fantastic opportunity for personal and scientific development, allowing you to gain experience in a pharmaceutical company while honing technical skills relevant to drug discovery. Additionally, you will have the chance to expand your professional network and be mentored by experienced industry professionals in a stimulating and rewarding environment. In addition to contributing in the lab as an organic chemist, our interns will gain an appreciation and understanding of the many types of scientists it takes to discover a drug and deliver it to patients by meeting with diverse groups that comprise the drug discovery team. If you are passionate about chemistry and eager to advance your professional development while contributing to the creation of life-changing medicines, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

The full-time internship will take place June - August 2026.

Key Responsibilities

• Preparation of molecules of interest through multi-step organic synthesis
• The isolation and purification of reaction products by standard laboratory methods
• Characterization of reaction products using NMR and LCMS
• Literature evaluation of proposed reactions and reaction routes
• Optimizing novel chemical transformations
• Following proper procedures for maintaining an electronic lab notebook
• Participating and contributing to scientific discussions, meetings and presentations
• Contributing to a research effort that may be amenable to publication or public presentation

Qualifications & Experience

• Completed their 2nd or 3rd year in college, but will not hold a bachelor's degree before August 2026
• Two years of chemistry coursework at the college level; organic chemistry I/II required
• Strong preference for candidates with prior research experience in academic or industrial settings
• Self-motivated to learn and contribute, with demonstrated examples of independent productivity and team-based interpersonal skills
• Enthusiastic and curious about science, laboratory work, and drug discovery
• All candidates must be authorized to work in the US both at the time of hire and for the duration of their employment. Please note that immigration or visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This is a temporary, time-bound position intended for the duration of the internship or co-op program. Employment in this role does not imply or guarantee ongoing or permanent employment with BMS.

The starting hourly compensation for this assignment is within the range of $27.00 to $29.00/hr. Please note that the final individual compensation and any applicable benefits will be determined by your employer of record (and not BMS). Factors influencing this decision may include the characteristics of the assignment, such as demonstrated experience, required skill, and the geographic location of the job. Compensation details are subject to change.

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.