Sr Scientist, Discovery Sciences and Technologies

Biopharma Careers; Foster City (CA); On-site; USD 169,000 - 219,000; Full time

Job summary

Gilead Sciences Inc. is seeking a Senior Scientist, Discovery Sciences & Technologies in Foster City, CA, to advance mRNA‑LNP delivery across virology, oncology and inflammation programs. You will lead LNP formulation, coordinate collaborations, and drive innovative drug delivery strategies from discovery to development.

The role requires a Ph.D. with 2+ years of hands-on LNP experience, strong leadership, and ability to manage multiple projects in a matrixed environment.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, chemical engineering, bioengineering, biochemistry, or a related discipline.
• 2+ years of directly relevant experience following the Ph.D. in LNP-based nucleic acid delivery.
• Hands-on expertise in mRNA-LNP formulation and characterization including lipid selection and composition optimization, microfluidic or scalable mixing platforms, DLS/PDI, zeta potential, encapsulation assays, and LC-based lipid/RNA analysis.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the in-house subject-matter expert on lipid chemistry and LNP formulation, with emphasis on ionizable lipid chemistry and tissue- and cell-selective mRNA delivery.
• Drive design, sourcing, synthesis, and evaluation of ionizable lipids and lipid library in collaboration with internal and external partners.
• Design and optimize mRNA-LNP formulations and targeted LNP architectures to address project needs.
• Build and execute high-throughput LNP formulation and in vitro screening campaigns to evaluate transfection efficiency and cellular tropism across relevant cell types.
• Establish LNP purification, QC workflows (particle size, PDI, zeta potential, encapsulation, LC lipid/RNA analysis).
• Build strategic collaborations with academic groups, technology vendors, CROs, and biotech partners; communicate findings via reports, presentations, manuscripts, and patents.

Skills

Lipid chemistry

LNP formulation

High-throughput screening

Project management

Leadership & mentorship

Education

Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences or related

Tools

Tangential-flow filtration (TFF)

Job description

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.

Job Description

At Gilead our pursuit of a healthier world for all people has yielded a cure for hepatitis C, revolutionary improvements in HIV treatment and prevention as well as advancements in therapies for viral and inflammatory diseases and certain cancers.

We set and achieve bold ambitions in our fight against the world’s most devastating diseases, united in our commitment to confronting the largest public health challenges of our day and improving the lives of patients for generations to come.

As a Senior Scientist, Discovery Sciences & Technologies at Gilead, you will be an integral member of the LNP Center of Excellence dedicated to mRNA-LNP discovery research for therapeutic applications, while also establishing strategic partnerships and driving scientific innovation.

This individual will work closely with internal research functions and external collaborators to advance transformational mRNA-LNP therapeutics into clinical development for patients.

OVERVIEW

We are seeking a highly motivated and creative Senior Scientist to advance our lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology within the LNP center of excellence and the Discovery Sciences and Technologies (DST) Department. This pivotal role will enable and drive innovation in mRNA-LNP-based drug delivery across our Virology, Oncology, and Inflammation therapeutic areas.

DST Department members are responsible for the design and execution of rigorous, quantitative, and physiologically relevant in vitro biochemical and functional cellular assays. Working within multidisciplinary teams, they discover and evolve drug candidates from lead identification at project inception through to the characterization of the final development candidate.

Our organization is a highly matrixed organization, and the ability to work effectively across diverse functional groups and therapeutic areas is a key attribute for this role.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the in-house subject-matter expert on lipid chemistry and LNP formulation, with particular emphasis on ionizable lipid chemistry and tissue- and cell-selective mRNA delivery. Provide scientific leadership in resolving complex delivery and formulation challenges.
• Drive the design, sourcing, synthesis, and evaluation of ionizable lipids and lipid library in close partnership with internal and external collaborators.
• Design and optimize mRNA-LNP formulations and targeted LNP architectures, including ligand or conjugation strategies where appropriate, to address project needs.
• Build and execute high-throughput LNP formulation and in vitro screening campaigns to evaluate transfection efficiency, cellular tropism, immune activation, and functional activity across relevant cell types.
• Establish LNP purification, characterization and discovery stage QC workflows (e.g., particle size/PDI, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and LC-based lipid/RNA analysis).
• Build strategic collaborations with academic groups, technology vendors, CROs, and biotech partners; communicate findings through reports, presentations, manuscripts, and patent applications.

REQUIRED

• Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, chemical engineering, bioengineering, biochemistry, or a related discipline.
• 2+ years of directly relevant experience following the Ph.D., with a demonstrated track record in LNP based nucleic acid delivery.
• Deep, hands‑on expertise in mRNA-LNP formulation and characterization, including lipid selection and composition optimization, microfluidic or scalable mixing platforms, DLS/PDI, zeta potential, encapsulation assays, and LC-based lipid or RNA analysis.
• Hands‑on expertise in LNP purification by tangential‑flow filtration (TFF)) is required.
• Experience designing systematic, high-throughput, or DoE‑based formulation‑screening campaigns and integrating multi‑parameter datasets into actionable delivery design rules.
• Demonstrated ability to lead scientific projects independently and to mentor or manage junior scientists in a fast‑paced, matrixed environment.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high quality standards.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across disciplines and present to executive leadership.

PREFERRED

• 6+ years of directly relevant experience following the Ph.D., with a demonstrated track record in LNP based nucleic acid delivery.
• Experience with targeted‑LNP approaches using ligand or antibody conjugation is preferred
• Experience with formulation scale‑up and technology transfer to CMC/CDMO partners is preferred

People Leader Accountabilities

• Create Inclusion – knowing the business value of diverse teams, modeling inclusion, and embedding the value of diversity in the way they manage their teams.
• Develop Talent – understand the skills, experience, aspirations and potential of their employees and coach them on current performance and future potential. They ensure employees are receiving the feedback and insight needed to grow, develop and realize their purpose.
• Empower Teams – connect the team to the organization by aligning goals, purpose, and organizational objectives, and holding them to account. They provide the support needed to remove barriers and connect their team to the broader ecosystem.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is: $169,320.00 - $219,120.00. Gilead 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Gilead Sciences Inc. 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

Gilead Sciences 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.

YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

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.

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