Senior Scientist, Protein Therapeutics

Gilead Sciences • Foster City, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Scientist, Protein Therapeutics will strengthen Gilead’s Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) analytics capabilities and support a growing portfolio of programs across oncology, inflammation, and virology. This highly collaborative, laboratory-based role applies expertise in mass spectrometry, protein analytics, and developability assessment to provide scientific insights across ADC projects and teams. The position is based in Foster City, California, and requires onsite work.

The role involves independently designing and executing analytical characterization experiments, developing and improving advanced methods, evaluating ADC attributes and developability risks, and contributing to program progression decisions. The Senior Scientist will also advance analytical technologies, promote rigorous characterization practices and data integrity, communicate scientific findings, contribute to publications and patents, and mentor junior scientists.

People Leader accountabilities include creating an inclusive environment, developing employee talent through coaching and feedback, and empowering teams by aligning goals and removing barriers.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 8 years of experience, or a master’s degree and 6 years of experience, or a PhD and 2 years of experience.
• Excellent critical-thinking, experimental-design, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to multidisciplinary teams and senior leadership.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related discipline.
• Preferred experience of 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 native and denaturing LC-MS mass analysis, peptide mapping, HIC, SEC, RP, IEX, CE-SDS, and cIEF.
• Strong experience with workflows for ADC developability assessment.
• Experience with multidimensional chromatography 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.

Responsibilities

• Independently design and execute analytical characterization experiments for ADCs to support discovery and candidate-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.
• Evaluate ADC attributes, including drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR), aggregation, fragmentation, hydrophobicity, charge heterogeneity, and linker-payload stability.
• Integrate analytical and developability data to identify risks and support progression decisions.
• Apply scientific judgment to resolve complex analytical challenges and 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 and ensure high-quality experimental design, data integrity, and documentation in accordance with ELN, data-management, and data-capture 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 foster a collaborative, innovative, and scientifically rigorous team environment.
• Create inclusion by modeling inclusion and embedding the value of diversity in team management.
• Develop talent by understanding employees’ skills, experience, aspirations, and potential and coaching them on performance and growth.
• Empower teams by aligning goals with organizational objectives, holding teams accountable, removing barriers, and connecting them to the broader organization.

Benefits

• The position may be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus.
• The position may be eligible for discretionary stock-based long-term incentives; eligibility may vary based on role.
• Paid time off.
• Company-sponsored medical insurance.
• Company-sponsored dental insurance.
• Company-sponsored vision insurance.
• Company-sponsored life insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior