Senior Associate Scientist, Biology

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
 

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Associate Scientist to join the Discovery Science & Technology (DST) group and contribute to drug discovery efforts across multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, inflammation, and virology. The Discovery Science & Technology group is dedicated to identifying and advancing best-in-class and first-in-class therapeutic candidates through the application of state-of-the-art in vitro pharmacology technologies.

Our multidisciplinary scientific team leverages expertise in high-throughput screening, assay development, lab automation, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, and biophysics to enable critical drug discovery decisions and facilitate the advancement of innovative medicines.

The successful candidate will  be versatile in adapting in vitro pharmacology approaches to support target validation, lead discovery and candidate advancement, and the development and execution of biological, biochemical, cell-based, and bioanalytical assays. Working within multidisciplinary teams, this individual will generate high-quality data, solve complex scientific challenges, and help drive the discovery of transformative therapies for patients.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, optimize, and execute biological, biochemical, biophysical, cell-based, and bioanalytical assays to support drug discovery programs across multiple therapeutic areas.
• Contribute to target validation, lead identification, lead optimization, and candidate selection activities by generating high-quality experimental data and scientific insights.
• Apply a diverse range of in vitro pharmacology technologies, including high-throughput screening, profiling, mechanistic characterization, and functional assay platforms to address critical research questions.
• Independently design and execute experiments, analyze and interpret data, and communicate findings to multidisciplinary project teams.
• Develop, optimize, and execute ligand-binding assays and related bioanalytical methods to support pharmacokinetic and translational research activities.
• Support in vivo pharmacokinetic studies through biological sample analysis, data review, and interpretation.
• Manage experimental challenges and implement creative solutions to improve assay performance, robustness, reproducibility, and throughput.
• Collaborate closely with scientists across biology, biochemistry, biophysics, analytical chemistry, automation, DMPK, and data science to advance discovery programs.
• Contribute to the evaluation, implementation, and development of innovative technologies, methodologies, and workflows that enhance scientific impact and operational efficiency.
• Support automated and high-throughput workflows through assay optimization, miniaturization, and integration with laboratory automation platforms.
• Maintain accurate and organized experimental records and prepare technical reports, presentations, and scientific summaries.
• Present scientific findings and recommendations to project teams and departmental meetings.
• Contribute to a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline with 5+ years of relevant industry experience, OR
• Master's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline with 3+ years of relevant industry experience.

Experience

• Industry experience supporting drug discovery, translational research, assay development, screening sciences, pharmacology, bioanalysis, or a related scientific discipline.
• Demonstrated experience developing, optimizing, and executing biological, biochemical, cell-based, and/or bioanalytical assays.
• Experience supporting in vivo pharmacokinetic (PK) studies through sample analysis, data generation, and interpretation.
• Proven ability to independently design experiments, analyze complex datasets, interpret results, and recommend next steps.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary research environments and collaborating effectively across scientific functions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic research setting while maintaining high scientific standards.
• Track record of identifying technical challenges and implementing effective scientific solutions.

Technical Expertise

• Strong understanding of assay development principles, experimental design, and data analysis.
• Hands-on experience with one or more laboratory disciplines including cell biology, biochemistry, enzymology, pharmacology, protein sciences, biophysics, screening sciences, and/or bioanalysis.
• Experience developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting ligand-binding assays (LBA) such as ELISA, MSD, Gyrolab, AlphaLISA, or related technologies.
• Experience analyzing biological samples including serum, plasma, and other matrices to support pharmacology and pharmacokinetic studies.
• Working knowledge of pharmacokinetic principles and interpretation of bioanalytical data.
• Experience with laboratory automation and software commonly used in drug discovery and bioanalytical research.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and improve assay performance, robustness, reproducibility, and throughput.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate complex experimental data into actionable scientific insights.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within cross-functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with high-throughput screening (HTS), compound profiling, assay miniaturization, or automated laboratory workflows.
• Experience supporting PK, PD, biomarker, or bioanalytical studies for biologics and other large-molecule therapeutic modalities.
• Familiarity with biologics, peptides, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and other large-molecule therapeutic modalities.
• Understanding of PK/PD principles and their application in discovery and early development.
• Experience with analytical technologies such as LC-MS/MS or other quantitative characterization platforms.

 

The salary range for this position is: $126,820.00 - $164,120.00. Gilead considers a variety of factors when determining base compensation, including experience, qualifications, and geographic location. These considerations mean actual compensation will vary. This position may also be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, discretionary stock-based long-term incentives (eligibility may vary based on role), paid time off, and a benefits package. Benefits include company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans*.

For additional benefits information, visit:

https://www.gilead.com/careers/compensation-benefits-and-wellbeing

* Eligible employees may participate in benefit plans, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

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