Director, Medical Affairs Research

Gilead Sciences Inc.; United States; Remote; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Gilead Sciences, Inc. is seeking a Director, Medical Affairs Research - Oncology to lead strategy and execution of evidence-generation across the oncology portfolio.

The role encompasses interventional, observational, and implementation science studies, serving as MASL and guiding protocol development, governance and external partnerships. You will collaborate across Development, HEOR, Commercial, and Safety to deliver rigorous, publishable findings.

Qualifications

• Extensive oncology research experience.
• Experience leading late-phase research including Phase 4 and collaborative studies.
• Proven authorship of peer-reviewed publications.

Responsibilities

• Lead Oncology Medical Affairs Research strategy across assets.
• Provide scientific leadership for late-phase oncology research.
• Serve as MASL for Gilead-sponsored and collaborative studies.
• Define research questions and guide protocol development.
• Oversee a portfolio of MAR studies with governance and compliance.
• Influence cross-functional partners across Development, HEOR, Commercial, Safety.
• Build external scientific partnerships with investigators and data partners.
• Translate study findings into abstracts, manuscripts, and presentations.
• Mentor and strengthen research capability within Oncology Medical Affairs.
• Ensure regulatory, legal, and business conduct standards.

Skills

Oncology research

Medical affairs leadership

Late-phase trial design

MASL responsibilities

Cross-functional collaboration

Scientific writing

Global operations

Regulatory compliance

Education

MD/PhD/PharmD/MPH

Job description

As the Director, Medical Affairs Research - Oncology, you will serve as a senior research lead within Oncology Medical Affairs, responsible for defining and executing medical affairs led evidence generation across the oncology portfolio. This role will be used to hire multiple Directors with complementary methodological expertise. Directors in this role must bring deep expertise in one or more of the following methodological areas: interventional (Phase 4 and collaborative) research, observational / real-world evidence research, and implementation science. While each Director is expected to anchor in at least one primary area of expertise, all will collaborate closely to deliver integrated, fit-for-purpose evidence aligned to Integrated Evidence Plans (IEPs). Essential Duties & Job Functions

• Lead Oncology Medical Affairs Research strategy aligned to Integrated Evidence Plans across assets and disease areas
• Provide scientific leadership for late-phase oncology research, selecting and applying appropriate methodologies based on evidence gaps
• Serve as Medical Affairs Study Lead (MASL) for Gilead-sponsored and collaborative research studies
• Define research questions and guide protocol development for interventional, observational, and/or implementation science studies
• Oversee a portfolio of Oncology MAR studies, ensuring scientific rigor, operational feasibility, governance, and compliance
• Influence cross-functional partners across Development, HEOR, Commercial, Safety, and external stakeholders
• Build and sustain external scientific partnerships including academic investigators, cooperative groups, data partners, and health systems
• Translate study findings into scientific communications such as abstracts, manuscripts, and presentations
• Provide mentorship and scientific leadership within Oncology Medical Affairs to strengthen research capability
• Ensure adherence to regulatory, legal, and business conduct standards governing Medical Affairs research

Candidates must demonstrate deep scientific expertise in one or more of the following areas. Expertise in multiple areas is strongly preferred.

• Interventional Research: Expertise in Phase 4 interventional trial design and conduct, including protocol development, feasibility assessment, execution oversight, and collaboration with academic and cooperative research groups.
• Observational / Real-World Evidence Research: Expertise in observational study design and analysis, including use of real-world data sources such as claims, EHRs, registries, and linked datasets, with strong understanding of epidemiologic and methodological rigor.
• Implementation Science Research: Expertise in implementation science frameworks and mixed-methods research, focused on translating evidence into real-world oncology practice, addressing care gaps, and driving adoption and sustainability.

Knowledge & Skills

• Demonstrated scientific credibility and thought leadership in oncology research
• Experience serving as major contributing author on manuscripts, abstracts, or scientific congress submissions.
• Strong strategic thinking with ability to translate complex evidence gaps into actionable research plans
• Proven ability to influence and collaborate across complex, matrixed organizations
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Ability to operate effectively in a global environment
• High standards of integrity, accountability, and commitment to compliant scientific exchange, Advanced scientific or medical degree (e.g., MD, PhD, PharmD, MPH) required.
• Demonstrated history of scientific publications and/or authorship in peer-reviewed journals within the candidate's primary area of methodological expertise (interventional clinical research, observational / real-world evidence, and/or implementation science).
• Extensive experience in oncology research, medical affairs, or related pharmaceutical or academic settings.
• Significant experience leading late-phase research, including Phase 4, collaborative, and Medical Affairs-led studies.
• Strong understanding of regulatory, ethical, and compliance requirements governing Medical Affairs research activities.

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., Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.