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

Kite Pharma; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 133,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

Kite Pharma, Inc. in Santa Monica, CA, is hiring a Research Scientist I in Attribute Sciences Computational Biology, AI & Scientific Informatics to accelerate AI adoption across Analytical Development.

You'll build AI-powered tools, partner with Process Development, Analytical Development, Manufacturing Sciences, Digital/IT, and Data Science to create AI agents, RAG systems, workflows, and predictive models guiding process development and product knowledge for viral vector-based gene delivery

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Data Science, Computer Science or related discipline.
• Master’s degree with 4+ years of experience; or Bachelor’s with 6+ years; or Associate’s with 8+ years; or High School with 10+ years.
• 3+ years of AI experience including LLMs, vector databases, agentic frameworks, prompt engineering and evaluation.
• Knowledge of cell biology, cancer biology, and/or immunology.
• Experience in ML, statistics, data visualization and experimental design.

Responsibilities

• Design and deploy AI agents that support scientific workflows.
• Analyze multi-modal biological datasets and develop data pipelines.
• Automate repetitive scientific workflows and improve data discovery.
• Collaborate with scientists, IT and digital teams to apply AI solutions.
• Build predictive and descriptive models plus dashboards for process development.

Skills

Communication skills

Collaboration

Prompt engineering

Problem solving

Self-motivation

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+ year experience

Tools

Python

SQL

R

LLMs

Vector databases

Job description

We’re here for one reason and one reason only – to cure cancer. Every moment is dedicated to developing treatments and every action moves us one step closer to our goal. We’ve made incredible scientific breakthroughs and our pioneering personalized CAR T-cell therapies have changed the paradigm. But we’re not finished yet.

Join Kite, as we make even bigger advances in cancer therapies, and help shape where our business and medical science goes next.

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 fulfill their aspirations. Join Kite and help create more tomorrows.

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*.

For additional benefits information, visit:

https://www.gilead.com/careers/compensation-benefits-and-wellbeing

* Eligible employees may participate in benefit plans, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable 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.

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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.

Kite Pharma provides a work environment free of harassment and prohibited conduct. We promote and support individual differences and diversity of thoughts and opinion.