Job Details

Overview

Senior Scientist, Discovery Sciences and Technologies role at Gilead Sciences. We are seeking a highly motivated and creative scientist to join the Lipid Nanoparticle (LNP) technology advancement within the Discovery Sciences and Technologies (DST) Department. This role will enable and drive innovation in LNP-based drug delivery for nucleic acid therapies across Virology, Oncology, and Inflammation. Our DST team designs and executes rigorous, quantitative, physiologically relevant in vitro biochemical and cellular assays and collaborates across multidisciplinary teams to advance drug candidates from lead identification to final development candidate.The successful candidate will be part of a high-performing research core team dedicated to LNP-based discovery for therapeutic applications, working with various research functions and external collaborators to bring nucleic acid therapies into clinical development. Gilead operates in a highly matrixed organization where cross-functional collaboration is essential.

Responsibilities

• In close, iterative partnership with formulation scientists, provide biological data and mechanistic insights to establish clear structure–activity relationships and drive data-driven optimization of the LNP delivery system.
• Design, synthesize, and engineer advanced nucleic acid payloads, including mRNA, DNA, and gene-editing components (e.g., gRNA, donor DNA) to optimize payload function and stability.
• Develop and execute a suite of robust in vitro cell-based assays to quantify payload delivery (transfection efficiency), protein expression, and functional outcomes (e.g., gene editing efficiency, target knockdown) in relevant cell lines and primary cells.
• Characterize the immunological profile of formulations, including innate immune activation and potential immunogenicity.
• Contribute to the preparation of scientific reports, manuscripts, and patent applications.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Immunology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, or a related field.
• A minimum of 4+ years of industry experience conducting independent research in nucleic acid therapeutics, drug delivery, or related fields; strong postdoctoral training is desired.
• Extensive hands-on expertise in molecular biology techniques (e.g., plasmid design, molecular cloning, DNA template preparation, in vitro transcription, RNA purification/analysis) with experience in designing and synthesizing advanced mRNA modalities (e.g., circRNA or self-amplifying RNA).
• Experience with design, generation, and in vitro testing of diverse nucleic acid payloads and/or gene editing systems (e.g., CRISPR/Cas) is highly desired.
• Proficiency in mammalian cell culture (cell lines and primary cells) and quantitative cell-based function assays (e.g., transfection, flow cytometry, immune assays, RT-qPCR).
• Strong background in immunology, particularly innate immunity and immune responses to biologics, vaccines, or nanoparticles; solid understanding of LNP formulation and drug delivery principles.
• Strong data processing and analysis skills; familiarity with automated data processing, NGS analysis, and visualization tools; knowledge of R or Python is a plus.
• Excellent experimental design and troubleshooting skills with meticulous documentation and ability to multitask in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across disciplines and present to executive leadership.

The salary range for this position is $169,320.00 – $219,120.00. Compensation includes factors such as experience, qualifications, and location. This position may be eligible for discretionary annual bonus, long-term incentives, paid time off, and a benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.

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Gilead Sciences is an equal employment opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive work environment with diverse perspectives and experiences. Applicants will be evaluated without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or other non-job related characteristics. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants in need.

Seniority level

• Not Applicable

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Research, Analyst, and Information Technology

Industries

• Biotechnology Research and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing