Principal Scientist — Reference Standard & Critical Reagents Lead

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, Reference Standard & Critical Reagents Lead at Gilead you will be vital to the success of Clinical Biologics QC. Providing strategic leadership and overseeing daily operations for reference standards and critical reagents.

 

Focus Areas:

• Own and manage the full lifecycle of reference standards and critical reagents (primary, secondary/working, interim, compendial, in‑house, impurity), from receipt and qualification through use, requalification, and retirement.

• Ensure uninterrupted supply and inventory control of qualified reference standards to support GMP testing and product release.

• Coordinate qualification and bridging studies for working standards against primary standards, ensuring complete documentation and traceability.

• Define and ensure appropriate storage, handling, monitoring, and shipping conditions for reference standards, including management of excursions.

• Author, review, and maintain GMP documentation such as SOPs, qualification/requalification protocols and reports, CoAs/CoCs, and standard preparation and issuance records.

• Maintain accurate records in electronic systems (e.g., LIMS, ELN, EDMS) in compliance with ALCOA+ data integrity principles.

• Provide technical input to assay qualification/validation and review test methods and release documentation involving reference standards.

• Review and manage deviations, OOS/OOT results, risk assessments, and CAPAs.

• Ensure inspection readiness and support internal and external audits.

• Author, review, and maintain GMP documentation, including protocols, reports, SOPs, deviations, change controls, CAPAs, and study closeout documentation.

• Collaborate cross‑functionally with QC, CMC, Regulatory Affairs, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to support stability commitments, filings, and health authority responses.

 

Qualifications:

You have:

• Experience with Biologics Quality Control with knowledge of industry best practices and trends for reference standards, stability and/or raw materials.  In-depth understanding and application of GMP principles, concepts, practices and standards in the US and internationally.  

• Must be able to develop and improve complex concepts, techniques, standards and new applications based on quality principles and theories.  

• Must be able to develop solutions to complex problems, which require a high degree of ingenuity, creativity and innovation.  

• Must be able to exercise judgment and independently determine and take appropriate action where precedent may not exist.  

• Proven ability to work with senior management to develop and ensure the implementation of Company-wide long-term solutions. 

• Demonstrated an ability to develop a vision for Quality Control functions and have shaped the capabilities of the function to fulfill that vision.  

• Demonstrated the ability to influence process and outcomes across functions. 

 

Requirements:

• 10+ Years’ experiences with BS, OR

• 8 + Years' experience with MS OR

• 5+ Years' experience and PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry or related field.

• Deep knowledge and experience in Biologics quality control. 

• Stays ahead of shifting trends in industry. 

• Must think critically and creatively and be able to work independently to determine appropriate resources for resolution of problems. 

• Strong organizational and planning skills. 

• Shows excellent verbal and written communication skills and collaborative interpersonal skills. 

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: $182,070.00 - $235,620.00. 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.

For jobs in the United States:

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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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.