Sr Scientist, Discovery Sciences and Technologies

Gilead Sciences•Foster City, CA

About The Position

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 At Gilead our pursuit of a healthier world for all people has yielded a cure for hepatitis C, revolutionary improvements in HIV treatment and prevention as well as advancements in therapies for viral and inflammatory diseases and certain cancers. We set and achieve bold ambitions in our fight against the world’s most devastating diseases, united in our commitment to confronting the largest public health challenges of our day and improving the lives of patients for generations to come. As a Senior Scientist, Discovery Sciences & Technologies at Gilead, you will be an integral member of the LNP Center of Excellence dedicated to mRNA-LNP discovery research for therapeutic applications, while also establishing strategic partnerships and driving scientific innovation. This individual will work closely with internal research functions and external collaborators to advance transformational mRNA-LNP therapeutics into clinical development for patients. OVERVIEW: We are seeking a highly motivated and creative Senior Scientist to advance our lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology within the LNP center of excellence and the Discovery Sciences and Technologies (DST) Department. This pivotal role will enable and drive innovation in mRNA-LNP-based drug delivery across our Virology, Oncology, and Inflammation therapeutic areas. DST Department members are responsible for the design and execution of rigorous, quantitative, and physiologically relevant in vitro biochemical and functional cellular assays. Working within multidisciplinary teams, they discover and evolve drug candidates from lead identification at project inception through to the characterization of the final development candidate. Our organization is a highly matrixed organization, and the ability to work effectively across diverse functional groups and therapeutic areas is a key attribute for this role.

Requirements

Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, chemical engineering, bioengineering, biochemistry, or a related discipline.
2+ years of directly relevant experience following the Ph.D., with a demonstrated track record in LNP based nucleic acid delivery.
Deep, hands-on expertise in mRNA-LNP formulation and characterization, including lipid selection and composition optimization, microfluidic or scalable mixing platforms, DLS/PDI, zeta potential, encapsulation assays, and LC-based lipid or RNA analysis.
Hands-on expertise in LNP purification by tangential-flow filtration (TFF)) is required.
Experience designing systematic, high-throughput, or DoE-based formulation-screening campaigns and integrating multi-parameter datasets into actionable delivery design rules.
Demonstrated ability to lead scientific projects independently and to mentor or manage junior scientists in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high quality standards.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across disciplines and present to executive leadership.

Nice To Haves

6+ years of directly relevant experience following the Ph.D., with a demonstrated track record in LNP based nucleic acid delivery.
Experience with targeted-LNP approaches using ligand or antibody conjugation is preferred
Experience with formulation scale-up and technology transfer to CMC/CDMO partners is preferred

Responsibilities

Serve as the in-house subject-matter expert on lipid chemistry and LNP formulation, with particular emphasis on ionizable lipid chemistry and tissue- and cell-selective mRNA delivery.
Provide scientific leadership in resolving complex delivery and formulation challenges.
Drive the design, sourcing, synthesis, and evaluation of ionizable lipids and lipid library in close partnership with internal and external collaborators.
Design and optimize mRNA-LNP formulations and targeted LNP architectures — including ligand or conjugation strategies where appropriate — to address project needs.
Build and execute high-throughput LNP formulation and in vitro screening campaigns to evaluate transfection efficiency, cellular tropism, immune activation, and functional activity across relevant cell types.
Establish LNP purification, characterization and discovery stage QC workflows (e.g., particle size/PDI, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and LC-based lipid/RNA analysis).
Build strategic collaborations with academic groups, technology vendors, CROs, and biotech partners; communicate findings through reports, presentations, manuscripts, and patent applications.