Sr Scientist, Inflammation Biomarkers and Translational Research

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Job Description
 

Senior Scientist, Inflammation Biomarkers & Translational Research

Location: Foster City, CA
Department: Biomarkers / Translational Inflammation
Level: Senior Scientist

Role Overview

Gilead Sciences is seeking a highly accomplished Senior Scientist to join the Biomarkers and Translational Inflammation Group in the research organization. This role will provide scientific leadership in the design, development, and execution of biomarker and translational strategies to support clinical programs across inflammatory and fibrotic diseases.

The successful candidate will serve as a biomarker and translational science leader for one or more programs, working closely with Clinical Development, Clinical Pharmacology, Biostatistics, Bioinformatics, Regulatory, and external partners. This position requires deep scientific expertise in human immunology and inflammation, with past success demonstrated through high impact first or senior author publications and/or patents.

Experience in liver/gut biology including fibrotic mechanisms and prior experience in leading biomarker strategy and execution for clinical programs is a strong plus.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end biomarker strategy for one or more clinical programs, from early translational research through Phase I-III and registrational studies, aligned with program objectives and regulatory expectations.
• Define and implement fit for purpose pharmacodynamic (target engagement, pathway modulation, and pathophysiology changes), MOA, prognostic, predictive, and disease‑monitoring biomarkers, including assay qualification, validation, and transfer to CROs.
• Serve as the biomarker lead for cross-functional program teams, providing scientific direction, risk assessment, and contingency planning.
• Support inspection-ready biomarker operations, including CRO oversight, vendor management, and data quality assurance.

• Design and oversee human-relevant translational studies using primary human samples.
• Lead responder vs. nonresponder analyses, pathway interrogation, and reverse‑translation efforts using clinical and real-world data.

• Integrate multi-omic, spatial, imaging, and clinical datasets to generate actionable insights and inform program decisions.
• Author and review clinical biomarker sections for protocols, IBs, SAPs, and regulatory documents.
• Partner with Clinical, Biostats, and Regulatory to ensure biomarker strategies are aligned with registrational and post‑marketing objectives.
• Present clinical biomarker data at conferences and investigator meetings, and author biomarker research focused scientific publications.

• Contribute to and participate in health authority interactions (e.g., FDA, EMA), including briefing documents, responses, and meetings, representing biomarker and translational strategy.
• Engage with external collaborators, consortia, and KOLs, and represent the organization in scientific and advisory forums as appropriate.

• Provide matrix leadership across functions; mentor junior scientists and contribute to scientific capability building within the group.
• Help shape portfolio-level biomarker strategy, standards, and innovation initiatives.
• Influence decision making through clear scientific communication, data‑driven recommendations, and strong stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications & Experience

Education

• PhD or MD/PhD in Immunology, Inflammation Biology, Translational Medicine, or related discipline.

Experience

• Senior Scientist: Typically, 5–8+ years of relevant post‑doctoral and industry experience with demonstrated leadership of biomarker strategies for clinical programs.

Required Expertise

• Strong record of scientific contributions, including high profile publications and/or patents.
• Deep understanding of human immunology, inflammation, and/or fibrotic disease biology with hands-on mindset balanced with a strategic perspective.
• Proactive problem-solver with proven experience designing and implementing clinical biomarker strategies, including assay validation and outsourcing.
• A clear and effective communicator with the ability to influence across functions, with experience contributing to regulatory and external‑facing documents.

Preferred / Plus Qualifications

• Expertise in liver and/or gut biology, including fibrotic mechanisms, as demonstrated by high profile publications in this space.
• Demonstrated ability to lead biomarker strategy for Phase I–III clinical trials and work within regulated development environments.
• Prior experience interacting with health authorities on biomarker related topics.
• Familiarity with high dimensional platforms (flow/mass cytometry, single‑cell, spatial, digital pathology).
• Working knowledge of data analysis tools (e.g., R, Python) for biomarker QC and interpretation.

Why This Role Matters

This position offers the opportunity to directly influence drug development and regulatory success for therapies addressing serious inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. You will operate at the intersection of human biology, clinical development, and regulatory science, with clear visibility and impact across the portfolio.

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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