Principal Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry (ADC and Bioconjugation)

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 Principal Scientist, ADC and Bioconjugation at Gilead you will play an integral role in facilitating the growth of Gilead’s ADC and bioconjugate pipeline. 

This highly integrated team bridges medicinal chemistry, protein therapeutics and cross-functional support to drive discovery.  The ideal candidate will demonstrate both leadership skills and experience in the discovery and preclinical development of ADC candidates. 

A deep expertise in modern platforms and techniques for synthesis, purification and characterization of small molecule, peptide/protein and/or LNP bioconjugates is preferred.   Please consider joining Gilead’s Research organization and contribute to our goal of discovering transformational medicines.

 Responsibilities

• Central Role in Project Ideation and Execution: identify new opportunities from within the internal pipeline and external landscape, work cross-functionally to develop project proposals, present at scientific review meetings, and lead projects through nomination of clinical candidate and early preclinical development.

• ADC Program Strategy: further develop the group’s vision for long term growth and incorporate into the assessment of new projects and modalities.  Provide guidance and consultation to existing ADC project teams.

• Landscape Evaluation: maintain broad awareness of latest technologies, external platforms, and assets of interest and participate in diligence efforts to evaluate and provide recommendations on these opportunities. 

• Medicinal Chemistry: Leverage a strong background in synthetic and medicinal chemistry to coordinate the design and optimization of novel payload properties for optimal delivery via ADC.  Devise linker strategies to achieve optimal properties of bioconjugates

• Bioconjugation Chemistry:  contribute to the expansion of Gilead’s ADC and bioconjugation labs and capabilities while working across the interface of medicinal chemistry, protein therapeutics and discovery biology to coordinate the design, synthesis and purification of protein bioconjugates using known and novel methodologies.  

• ADC Data Management: Collaborate with Gilead Research Data Sciences and Research Informatics group to enable structured data acquisition for ADC modalities.

• Training and Support: Provide training and technical support to team members on bioconjugation techniques and ADCs.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on effective communication and effective collaboration across multiple functions across R&D as well as with external collaborators.  Presentation of scientific results at team and group meetings. 

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. (+5 years), Master's (+8 years) or Bachelor's (+ 10 years) in organic chemistry, or equivalent discipline with an emphasis in ADC, medicinal chemistry and bioconjugation applications.

• ADC Drug Discovery Experience: Demonstrated success at the bench and as a leader of ADC programs.

• Experience with ADC characterization methods including SEC, HIC, RPLC, and high-resolution mass spectrometry methods for DAR assessment.

• Close collaboration with IP group to both craft and comply with ADC IP strategy.

• Experience with design and implementation of various linker cleavage mechanisms.

• Experience with design and implementation of hydrophilic mask strategies.

• Familiarity with automation platforms for high-throughput conjugation.

• Familiarity with enzymatic conjugation methods.  

• Track record of success as a project team leader

• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present findings clearly and concisely.

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

• High level of scientific rigor, accuracy and attention to detail in all aspects of work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. (+8 years), Master's (+ 10 years) or Bachelor's (+ 12 years) in organic chemistry, or equivalent discipline with an emphasis in ADC, medicinal chemistry and bioconjugation applications.

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: $195,670.00 - $253,220.00. 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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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 ApplicantAccommodations@gilead.com for assistance.

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