Sr Scientist -- Biologics Engineering, Protein Therapeutics

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.
 

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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
 

The Protein Therapeutics Department at Gilead Sciences is seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist to join our Biologic Engineering team at our Foster City, CA site. Protein Therapeutics is responsible for the discovery and advancement of innovative large-molecule therapeutics, including complex multi-specific next-generation biologics.

This role will focus on the engineering of bispecific and multispecific antibody formats and structure-guided protein design, integrating both experimental and computational approaches. Candidates with demonstrated accomplishment and experience in engineering broadly neutralizing therapeutic proteins to HIV-1, hepatitis, and respiratory virus will be prioritized. The successful candidate will contribute to discovery-stage programs and help advance differentiated biologics toward clinical development across Virology, Oncology, and Inflammation therapeutic areas. This role will sit on-site in Foster City, CA.

Responsibilities

• Drive the design, engineering, and optimization of bispecific and multi-specific antibodies, including format innovation and evaluation of novel architectures to enable differentiated therapeutic mechanisms.

• Apply structure-guided protein engineering approaches to design and optimize antiviral antibodies, including improving potency, breadth, stability, and developability.

• Contribute to antibody discovery efforts targeting viral pathogens, including identification, screening, and characterization of candidate molecules.

• Integrate AI/ML-driven protein engineering tools (e.g., protein language models, structure prediction, and in silico design) to accelerate biologics discovery and optimization workflows.

• Design and execute experiments involving molecular biology, cloning, protein expression, purification, and biochemical/biophysical characterization of therapeutic candidates.

• Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary environment including protein engineering, structural biology, virology, and computational sciences to advance programs.

• Provide scientific insights and experimental data to support candidate selection, lead optimization, and program strategy.

• Contribute to scientific publications, patent filings, and internal/external presentations.

Basic Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Protein Engineering, Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Immunology, or a related discipline with postdoctoral experience and 3+ years of relevant experience

• Strong background in antibody engineering, with demonstrated experience in bispecific and/or multi-specific formats to develop broadly neutralizing anti-HIV-1 antibodies.

• Experience in antiviral or infectious disease antibody discovery, including but not limited to work on broadly neutralizing antibodies or viral targets.

• Familiarity with AI/ML applications in protein engineering, including sequence-to-structure modeling or generative design approaches.

• Hands-on experience with molecular biology techniques, protein purification and characterization methods, including biophysical and biochemical assays.

• Demonstrated ability to contribute to scientific innovation, reflected through publications, patents, or advancement of drug candidates.

• Demonstrated a strong track record of independent critical thinking and scientific achievement in research, exemplified by publications in highly regarded journals, conference presentations, or generation of intellectual property.

• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

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.

 

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.

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