Director, Biobanking and Sample Management

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.

Gilead Research is seeking an experienced and exceptional scientist at the Director level to lead Biobanking and Sample Management (BSM). This role is responsible for enabling the effective transformation of human biospecimens and associated data into high‑quality assets that support drug discovery, translational research, and clinical development.

The successful candidate will lead the BSM group in a highly collaborative, matrixed environment, supporting Biomarker Sciences, Discovery Research, Pathobiology, and clinical programs through expert biospecimen management, strong operational delivery, fit‑for‑purpose infrastructure, and effective vendor partnerships. The BSM group provides biospecimen support for samples derived from internal clinical trials as well as from external vendors and academic collaborations.

As translational research continues to expand at Gilead, this role will also be responsible for building and scaling biobanking capabilities, infrastructure, and systems to meet evolving scientific and program needs.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead the Biobanking and Sample Management group within Research.

• Provide people management and organizational leadership for the team responsible for human biospecimen receipt, accessioning, processing, storage, distribution, disposition tracking, and vendor‑managed sample acquisition.

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve efficient and compliant business processes to support current and future research and translational needs.

• Build and scale biobanking capabilities and infrastructure (physical, operational, and digital) to support increasing volume, complexity, and translational use of biospecimens.

• Oversee biospecimen management database systems to ensure data integrity, traceability, and regulatory compliance.

• Ensure controlled document management, training curricula, and operational practices support GCP compliance within the Research organization.

• Collaborate closely with Biomarker Sciences, Discovery Research, Pathobiology, Bioanalytical and Biomarker Operations, Clinical Data Management, and Regulatory/Compliance groups to understand needs, align priorities, and resolve issues.

• Provide subject‑matter expertise and strategic input at biomarker and translational governance forums and sub‑team meetings.

• Serve as a recognized internal expert in biobanking, biospecimen governance, informed consent requirements, sample management policies, and vendor sample acquisition.

• Provide oversight of the Volunteer On‑Site Blood Donation Program.

• Train and provide quality oversight for PBMC isolation laboratories supporting clinical trials.

 

Skills

• Demonstrated success in building, scaling, and modernizing scientific or operational capabilities

• Deep expertise in human biospecimen biobanking and specimen lifecycle management

• Strong understanding of translational research workflows, biomarker development, and clinical interfaces

• Experience with biobanking informatics systems (LIMS, databases) and data‑driven operations

• Proven people leadership in highly matrixed, cross‑functional environments

• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance scientific rigor, operational efficiency, and strategic investment

• Excellent communication, influence, and stakeholder management skills

 

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree and Twelve Years' Experience

OR

Masters' Degree and Ten Years' Experience

OR

PhD and Eight Years' Experience

Minimum Education & Experience

• PhD or MD with 10+ years, MS/BS with 15+ years of experience in a relevant scientific discipline, including significant experience in the biopharmaceutical industry

• 5+ years of people management experience with demonstrated leadership impact

• Direct experience in human research biospecimen biobanking and/or clinical trial biospecimen management

• Experience supporting translational research and discovery research preferred

 

The salary range for this position is: $226,185.00 - $292,710.00. 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.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the 'Know Your Rights' poster.

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