Sr Scientist, Analytical Ops

Kite Pharma; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 154,000 - 199,000; Full time

Job summary

Kite Pharma in Santa Monica, CA, seeks a Senior Scientist to lead automation, PAT, and AI-enabled analytics within Analytical Development. This role will shape automated methods, data integration, and scalable workflows across manufacturing-adjacent environments.

The candidate will design and optimize automated analytical workflows, drive technology transfer, and ensure data integrity with cross-functional partners in IT, data science, and manufacturing.

Qualifications

• PhD/MS/BS with relevant experience in analytic development, method automation, or related biopharma labs.
• Hands-on experience with automated analytical workflows and instrument integration.
• Experience with GMP-like environments and data integrity principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and lifecycle management of automated analytical workflows across various assay formats.
• Translate manual methods into automated, robust workflows using liquid handlers and integrated systems.
• Design studies supporting method development, validation, QC transfer, and lifecycle management.

Skills

Automation

PAT

AI-enabled workflows

Analytical method development

Education

PhD with 2+ years in analytic development

MS with 6+ years in analytic development

BS with 8+ years in analytic development

Tools

Hamilton

TECAN

Biomek

Integra

LIMS

ELN

Python

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

Job Description

Senior Scientist, Automation, PAT, and AI ; Analytical Development, Method Development, Automation, and Digital Innovation

Reporting to the Principal Scientist, Method Development and Automation Team

Job Overview:

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist to join the Method Development and Automation team within Analytical Development. This high-impact role will help shape the next generation of automated, process analytical technology (PAT)-enabled, and AI-supported analytical workflows that improve throughput, reproducibility, data integrity, operational efficiency, infrastructure utilization, and readiness for deployment across Process Development, QC, and Manufacturing environments. This is amultidisciplinary role applying the foundation of automation, PAT, and AI for building next-generation data-rich analytical workflows and digital infrastructure for cell therapy development and manufacturing readiness.

The successful candidate will lead the design and implementation of automated analytical methods, integrated laboratory workflows, and practical AI-enabled capabilities that streamline operations and improve infrastructure efficiency. This individual will work at the intersection of analytical science, automation, digital integration, process understanding, and AI-enabled workflow optimization to enable scalable, compliant, and data-rich testing strategies that support product development, lifecycle management, QC transfer, operational decision-making, and real-time or near-real-time process insight.

Why this role matters: This role offers the opportunity to build capabilities that directly influence how analytical methods are developed, automated, transferred, sustained, and digitally scaled. The successful candidate will help accelerate testing timelines, improve data quality, reduce manual variability, strengthen infrastructure utilization, identify AI-enabled operational efficiencies, and advance analytical insights that support process monitoring, control strategy, and QC readiness.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead development, optimization, automation, and lifecycle management of analytical workflows across plate-based, culture-based, molecular, impurity, and related assay formats.
• Translate manual and semi-manual methods into robust, reproducible automated workflows using liquid handlers, integrated systems, instrument software, and digital tools.
• Design and execute studies supporting method development, robustness, comparability, verification, validation, QC transfer, and lifecycle management.
• Evaluate, implement, and sustain automation platforms, PAT tools, instrument integrations, consumables, and enabling technologies that improve throughput, reproducibility, process monitoring, and compliant execution.
• Advance fit-for-purpose PAT opportunities that enable rapid, real-time, in-line, on-line, or at-line measurements linked to critical quality attributes, critical process parameters, and key process decisions.
• Integrate automation and PAT outputs with LIMS, ELN, structured data systems, instrument connectivity, electronic batch records, and advanced analytics platforms.
• Identify, evaluate, and implement practical AI-enabled opportunities that improve operational efficiency, reduce manual or repetitive work, enhance data accessibility, streamline documentation or review workflows, and strengthen laboratory infrastructure utilization.
• Partner with IT, data science, automation, and laboratory stakeholders to define use cases, data requirements, governance expectations, and adoption pathways for AI-supported workflows in analytic development and manufacturing‑adjacent environments.
• Partner across Process Development, MSAT, QC, Manufacturing, Attribute Sciences, and Analytical Lifecycle Management to align automation and PAT strategies with control strategy, GMP readiness, sampling strategy, and transfer expectations.
• Author, review, and present technical documentation, data packages, recommendations, and project updates in support of compliant execution, investigations, change controls, and technology transfer.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and mentor, helping build scalable automation, PAT, AI, digital, and analytical technology capabilities across teams.
• Hands‑on experience developing, optimizing, automating, or transferring analytical methods in a regulated or quality‑focused biopharmaceutical, cell therapy, gene therapy, biologics, or complex therapeutic setting.
• Experience with laboratory automation, liquid handling systems, integrated analytical instruments, assay workflow optimization, or comparable enabling technologies.
• Experience identifying or implementing AI, advanced analytics, workflow automation, data integration, or digital infrastructure solutions that improve operational efficiency, laboratory productivity, or decision support.
• Working knowledge of analytic method development, experimental design, data analysis, troubleshooting, technical documentation, GMP expectations, and data integrity principles.
• Strong communication, collaboration, prioritization, and problem‑solving skills with the ability to work effectively in cross‑functional and fast‑paced environments.

Basic Qualifications:

• PhD with 2+ years elevant experience in analytic development, method development, method automation, bioassay development, or a related biopharmaceutical laboratory environment.

OR

• MS with 6+ years, elevant experience in analytic development, method development, method automation, bioassay development, or a related biopharmaceutical laboratory environment.

OR

• BS with 8+ years of relevant experience in analytic development, method development, method automation, bioassay development, or a related biopharmaceutical laboratory environment.

Career Growth Opportunities:

• Build visible expertise at the intersection of analytic development, automation, PAT, AI, digital integration, and process understanding.
• Shape automation, PAT, and AI strategies that influence method development, QC transfer, manufacturing readiness, operational efficiency, infrastructure utilization, and lifecycle management.
• Partner with cross‑functional leaders to drive high‑impact technology evaluations, AI‑enabled workflow improvements, capability building, and data‑driven process monitoring approaches.
• Grow as a technical subject matter expert, mentor, and strategic contributor within Analytic Development and broader CMC networks.

Preferred Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will bring strong scientific judgment, hands‑on automation expertise, curiosity for emerging analytic technologies and AI‑enabled operational tools, and the ability to influence in a fast‑paced, matrixed environment.

• Experience developing, optimizing, automating, and deploying analytic methods in biopharma, cell therapy, gene therapy, biologics, or other complex therapeutic environments.
• Hands‑on expertise with liquid handling and automation platforms such as Hamilton, TECAN, Biomek, Integra, or comparable systems.
• Experience with high‑throughput assays and analytic method lifecycle activities, including robustness, comparability, verification, validation, QC transfer, and lifecycle management.
• Experience with PAT, digital laboratory integration, AI‑enabled workflow optimization, LIMS, ELN, structured data systems, instrument connectivity, electronic batch records, or advanced analytics platforms.
• Experience with data‑rich experimentation, design of experiments, multivariate analysis, chemometrics, advanced analytics, automation scripting, Python, machine learning, AI‑assisted data interpretation, or comparable tools.
• Demonstrated interest or experience in applying AI to operational workflows, laboratory infrastructure planning, data accessibility, knowledge management, documentation efficiency, or cross‑system process improvement.
• Working knowledge of GMP, ALCOA+, 21 CFR Part 11 expectations, ICH guidance, regulated documentation, change control, deviation, investigation, and transfer practices.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional initiatives, influence technical direction, mentor scientists or end users, and build sustainable automation, PAT, AI, or analytic technology capabilities.

The salary range for this position is: $153,935.00 - $199,210.00. 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 ‘Know Your Rights’ poster.

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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.

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