Senior Scientist, Protein Therapeutics

At Gilead, we’re creating a healthier world for all people. For more than 35 years, we’ve tackled diseases such as HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19 and cancer – working relentlessly to develop therapies that help improve lives and to ensure access to these therapies across the globe. We continue to fight against the world’s biggest health challenges, and our mission requires collaboration, determination and a relentless drive to make a difference.

Every member of Gilead’s team plays a critical role in the discovery and development of life-changing scientific innovations. Our employees are our greatest asset as we work to achieve our bold ambitions, and we’re looking for the next wave of passionate and ambitious people ready to make a direct impact.

We believe every employee deserves a great leader. People Leaders are the cornerstone to the employee experience at Gilead and Kite. As a people leader now or in the future, you are the key driver in evolving our culture and creating an environment where every employee feels included, developed and empowered to fulfil their aspirations. Join Gilead and help create possible, together.

Job Description

The Senior Scientist, Protein Therapeutics will help strengthen our Antibody Drug Conjugate analytics capabilities as we build the analytical foundation to support a growing portfolio of programs across oncology, inflammation, and virology. In this highly collaborative, laboratory-based role, you will apply expertise in mass spectrometry, protein analytics, and developability assessment to contribute with scientific insights across ADC projects and teams.

This position is based in Foster City, CA, and requires onsite work.

As a Senior Scientist, Protein Therapeutics, at Gilead you will...

Key Responsibilities:

• Independently design and execute analytical characterization experiments for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) to support discovery, and candidates’ selection activities.
• Develop, optimize, and troubleshoot advanced analytical methods, including high-resolution LC-MS (intact and subunit mass analysis), peptide mapping, multidimensional chromatography, and plate-based workflows to improve analytical robustness and throughput.
• Evaluate key ADC attributes, including DAR, aggregation, fragmentation, hydrophobicity, charge heterogeneity, and linker-payload stability, and integrate analytical and developability data to identify risks, and support progression decisions.
• Apply scientific judgment to resolve complex analytical challenges and independently select appropriate experimental approaches for novel and technically challenging assignments.
• Evaluate, implement, and advance emerging analytical technologies and workflows to expand ADC characterization capabilities and improve efficiency.
• Promote ADC characterization best practices, ensuring high-quality experimental design, data integrity, and documentation in accordance with electronic laboratory notebook (ELN), data management, and data capturing requirements.
• Present scientific findings, conclusions, and recommendations to cross-functional teams.
• Contribute to scientific publications, patents, technical reports, and external scientific engagement where appropriate.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to fostering a collaborative, innovative, and scientifically rigorous team environment.

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree and 8 Years' Experience

OR

Master's Degree and 6 Years' Experience

OR

PhD and 2 Years' Experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related discipline.

• Preferred experience: 15+ years with a bachelor’s degree; 12+ years with a master’s degree; or 3+ years with a PhD, including postdoctoral training.

• Industry experience supporting ADC discovery or development programs.

• Deep expertise in protein and ADC analytical characterization, including expertise in native and denaturing LC-MS mass analysis techniques, peptide mapping, HIC, SEC, RP, IEX, CE-SDS, and cIEF.

• Strong experience with workflows for ADC developability assessment.

• Experience with multidimensional chromatography (2D-LC) approaches for biologics and ADCs, including HIC-RP-MS, SEC-RP-MS, IEX-RP-MS, or related platforms.

• Experience working with a variety of conjugation technologies and linker-payload platforms.

• Knowledge of ADC pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and bioanalytical considerations, including assessment of circulating ADC species and payload-related biotransformation.

• Experience applying analytical, biophysical, and computational data to support molecule optimization and predictive developability assessments.

• Excellent critical thinking, experimental design, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex scientific concepts to multidisciplinary teams and senior leadership.

People Leader Accountabilities:

…