Research Scientist I, Attribute Sciences Computational Biology, AI & Scientific Informatics

Gilead Sciences Inc.; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 133,000 - 172,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Stock-based incentives

Benefits package (medical, dental, vis

Job summary

Kite Pharma in Santa Monica, CA seeks a Research Scientist I to accelerate AI-driven scientific workflows for viral vector gene delivery and T cell therapies. You will build AI agents, deploy RAG systems, and collaborate across PD, Analytical Development, and Data Science teams.

The role emphasizes AI tool evaluation, data science, and knowledge management to enhance process development and manufacturing insights. Strong programming and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a relevant field OR Masters with 4+ years experience OR Bachelor with 6+ years experience OR Associates with 8+ years experience OR High School with 10+ years experience.
• Experience with AI, LLMs, vector databases, agentic frameworks, prompt engineering, and evaluation frameworks.
• Proficiency with statistical languages (R, Python, SQL) to analyze data and derive insights.

Responsibilities

• Design and deploy AI agents (Copilot/Copilot Studio) to support scientific workflows.
• Develop RAG-based knowledge assistants integrating enterprise information sources.
• Create agents to answer questions, summarize information, generate reports, and support study planning.
• Analyze multi-modal datasets and develop automated pipelines for data processing and visualization.
• Automate workflows and improve data discoverability and knowledge reuse.

Skills

AI experience

Python

SQL

R

LLMs

Vector databases

Prompt engineering

Data visualization

Statistical modeling

Critical thinking

Education

Ph.D. in Bioinformatics/Computational Biology/Data Science/CS

Masters + 4+ years experience

Bachelor's + 6+ years experience

Associates + 8+ years experience

High School + 10+ years experience

Tools

Copilot/Copilot Studio

RAG systems

vector databases

data lake

Job description

Job Description

The Research Scientist I, Attribute Sciences Computational Biology, AI & Scientific Informatics will be responsible for accelerating adoption of artificial intelligence, agentic workflows, and advanced analytics across Analytical Development. This role will combine expertise in biological sciences, bioinformatics, data science, and generative AI to build AI-powered tools that improve scientific productivity, knowledge management, data accessibility, and decision-making to guide process development and product knowledge of viral vector-based gene delivery platforms and T cell therapies. In this role, the research scientist will partner closely with Process Development, Analytical Development, Manufacturing Sciences, Digital/IT, and Data Science teams to develop AI agents, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) systems, workflow automations, and predictive models that leverage laboratory, process, and knowledge-management data. Ideal candidates would possess strong communications skills with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, curiosity about emerging AI capabilities, ability to understand scientific workflows and needs and translate those into working products, and software/programming skills sufficient to independently build and deploy AI and data science solutions.

Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

AI Agent Development

• Design and deploy Copilot, Copilot Studio, or similar AI agents supporting scientific workflows.
• Develop RAG-based knowledge assistants that integrate information from various enterprise knowledge sources.
• Create agents that: answer scientific questions, retrieve and summarize technical information, generate draft reports, support investigations, assist with study planning and scheduling, support operational excellence.
• Evaluate AI tool accuracy, groundedness, hallucination rates, performance and citation quality.

Bioinformatics & Scientific Computing

• Analyze multi-modal biological datasets including NGS, omics, vector characterization, cell therapy process data.
• Develop pipelines for automated data processing and visualization.

Knowledge Management and Automation

• Support digital transformation initiatives involving electronic lab notebook and data lake infrastructure.
• Automate repetitive scientific workflows and documentation tasks.
• Build solutions that improve data discoverability and scientific knowledge reuse.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Work directly with scientists, IT and digital teams to identify opportunities where AI can improve productivity.
• Translate scientific business problems into technical AI solutions.
• Train stakeholders on effective use of AI tools and prompt engineering techniques.

Applied Data Science

• Build predictive and descriptive models supporting process development and manufacturing.
• Develop statistical tools for identifying relationships between process parameters and manufacturing outcomes.
• Design dashboards and decision-support systems.

Basic Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Data Science, Computer Science or related discipline OR
• Masters' Degree and 4+ years experience; OR
• Bachelor's Degree and 6+ years experience; OR
• Associates Degree and 8+ years experience; OR
• High School Degree and 10+year experience

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in AI, including experience with LLMs, vector databases, agentic frameworks, prompt engineering, and evaluation frameworks.
• Knowledge of advanced statistical techniques/concepts and proficiency in statistical computer languages (i.e. R, Python, SQL) to analyze data and draw insights from large data sets.
• Knowledge of cell biology, cancer biology, and/or immunology.
• Experience performing bioinformatics (NGS analysis) and/or data analytics with high dimensional data to drive business solutions.
• Experience with machine learning, statistical modeling, experimental design and data visualization.
• Ability to think critically and demonstrate troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Highly collaborative with excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and willing to accept temporary responsibilities outside of initial job description
• Comfortable in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

The salary range for this position is: $133,195.00 - $172,370.00. Kite 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*.

Kite is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of innovative cancer immunotherapies with a goal of providing rapid, long-term durable response and eliminating the burden of chronic care. The company is focused on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and T cell receptor (TCR) engineered cell therapies designed to empower the immune system's ability to recognize and kill tumors.

Kite is based in Santa Monica, CA. For more information on Kite, please visit www.kitepharma.com . Sign up to follow @KitePharma on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kitepharma .

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Kite Pharma is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment comprised of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences.

Employment decisions regarding recruitment and selection will be made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex , age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic information or characteristic, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or other non-job related characteristics or other prohibited grounds specified in applicable federal, state and local laws.

In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact [e-mail] for assistance.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the 'Know Your Rights' poster.

NOTICE: EMPLOYEE POLYGRAPH PROTECTION ACT

YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

Kite Pharma will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, (c) consistent with the legal duty to furnish information; or (d) otherwise protected by law.

Our environment respects individual differences and recognizes each employee as an integral member of our company. Our workforce reflects these values and celebrates the individuals who make up our growing team.