Senior Scientist, AI-Enabled De Novo Antibody Discovery, Protein Therapeutics

About the role

The Senior Scientist, AI-Enabled De Novo Antibody Discovery, Protein Therapeutics will help advance AI-enabled de novo antibody discovery through iterative design-build-test-learn cycles. This role combines antibody discovery, structural biology, and computational methods to translate target protein structure, biology, and therapeutic mechanism of action into epitope selection and end-to-end discovery campaign design.

You will lead de novo binder design campaigns, bridge computational and experimental antibody discovery, and help establish lab-in-the-loop platforms that connect computational design, experimental screening, and iterative learning.

This position is based in Foster City, California, and is fully onsite.

As a Senior Scientist, AI-Enabled De Novo Antibody Discovery, Protein Therapeutics at Gilead, you will...

Key Responsibilities

• Lead de novo antibody discovery and optimization campaigns from target and epitope assessment through design, screening, iteration, and hit selection.
• Develop integrated computational and experimental screening strategies for de novo designs, including candidate prioritization, library design, multiplexing, and recombinant and display-based approaches.
• Critically evaluate experimental and predicted structural models to prioritize biologically relevant epitopes and guide discovery strategies.
• Integrate computational, structural, binding, functional, and developability data to inform campaign iteration and binder advancement decisions.
• Rapidly prototype computational workflows that address antibody discovery and optimization needs.
• Collaborate with machine learning scientists to refine, scale, and implement broadly useful computational solutions.
• Partner with data scientists, structural biologists, and high-throughput screening scientists to build scalable lab-in-the-loop capabilities for de novo antibody discovery and optimization.
• Serve as a bridge between computational and experimental antibody discovery teams supporting project teams across Gilead therapeutic areas.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and 8+ years of relevant experience
• OR
• Master's Degree and 6+ years of relevant experience
• OR
• PhD or PharmD and 2+ years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in structural biology, protein engineering, biochemistry, biophysics, computational protein design, or a related discipline.
• Industry experience in antibody discovery or engineering spanning target assessment through lead optimization.
• Demonstrated ability to independently design, lead, and execute antibody discovery campaigns in a cross-functional environment.
• Experience with conventional antibodies and VHHs.
• Strong expertise in structural biology and protein structure-function relationships, including the evaluation of experimental and predicted antibody-target structures.
• Experience connecting epitope selection, target biology, and therapeutic mechanism of action to antibody discovery strategies.
• Experience with antibody library design and screening technologies, including display-based or high-throughput recombinant screening.
• Hands-on experience with one or more antibody library design or screening approaches.
• Familiarity with the applications and limitations of artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches for biologics discovery and optimization.
• Familiarity with protein language models, inverse folding, structure prediction or co-folding, diffusion or flow models, and iterative data-driven lead optimization.
• Demonstrated experience applying artificial intelligence or machine learning approaches to antibody discovery or optimization challenges.
• Working proficiency with Python, artificial intelligence-assisted coding tools, and Linux command-line or high-performance computing environments for scientific analysis, workflow development, and rapid prototyping.
• Strong scientific judgment and the ability to integrate computational and experimental evidence.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with machine learning scientists and protein production and screening teams.

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.

Pay 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

• Eligible employees may participate in benefit plans, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

Your Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave 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.

• 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.

For Current Gilead Employees and Contractors

Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.