Senior Scientist, Protein Engineering (Wet Lab–Focused, ML Enabled)

Job Description

We’re here for one reason and one reason only – to cure cancer. Every moment is dedicated to developing treatments and every action moves us one step closer to our goal. We’ve made incredible scientific breakthroughs and our pioneering personalized CAR T-cell therapies have changed the paradigm. But we're not finished yet.

Join Kite, as we make even bigger advances in cancer therapies, and help shape where our business and medical science goes next.

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 Kite and help create more tomorrows.

Job Description

We are seeking a highly productive and innovative Senior Scientist, Protein Engineering (Wet Lab–Focused, ML Enabled) to join Kite Research. This role is designed for a senior level individual contributor who excels in hands on protein engineering and binder optimization, and who effectively integrates computational and machine learning–guided design into experimental workflows to accelerate discovery.

The Senior Scientist will be a core execution engine within Discovery, driving binder identification and optimization through high throughput wet lab experimentation, while partnering closely with computational colleagues to translate in silico ideas into experimentally validated designs. This role requires sustained bench level excellence, scientific creativity, and the ability to advance multiple fast moving programs simultaneously.

Key Responsibilities

Wet Lab Protein Engineering & Binder Optimization (Primary Focus)

• Design, build, and experimentally validate protein binders using display based discovery and optimization methods.

• Execute and optimize affinity maturation, scaffold engineering, and property optimization workflows (e.g., binding, function, specificity, developability).

• Apply target specific protein engineering strategies, including exploration of non canonical scaffolds or architectures when standard approaches are insufficient.

• Independently plan and execute complex experimental campaigns, generating high quality, decision ready data.

High Throughput Experimental Execution

• Drive high volume cloning, expression, and screening efforts across multiple concurrent Discovery programs.

• Serve as a reliable experimental backbone for priority programs, balancing speed, rigor, and reproducibility.

• Rapidly iterate designs based on experimental feedback to accelerate learning cycles.

Integration of ML Guided & In Silico Design (Supporting Focus)

• Collaborate closely with computational and ML scientists to experimentally test ML designed libraries and constructs.

• Translate in silico designs into wet lab ready constructs and provide experimental feedback to refine models.

• Contribute experimental insight that helps benchmark, validate, and improve computational design approaches.

Program Contributions & Scientific Collaboration

• Contribute to multiple Discovery programs concurrently in this central experimental role, contributing from early binder discovery through optimization.

• Integrate multiple experimental modalities (e.g., phage display, yeast display, functional cell based assays) into cohesive discovery strategies.

• Work cross functionally with Cell Biology and Translational teams to ensure binder properties align with downstream requirements.

Workflow Improvement & Knowledge Sharing

• Identify and implement improvements that increase experimental efficiency, robustness, or throughput.

• Share best practices and technical insights through close collaboration and informal mentorship.

• Contribute to a culture of execution excellence and continuous improvement within Discovery.

Basic Qualifications

• Advanced scientific degree (MD, PharmD, PhD) in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Virology, Bioengineering, or a related field, with 2+ years of relevant postdoctoral or industry experience
  OR

• Master’s degree in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Virology, Bioengineering, or a related field, with 6+ years of relevant scientific experience
  OR

• Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Virology, Bioengineering, or a related field, with 8+ years of relevant scientific experience

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Protein Science, Biochemistry, Structural Biology, Bioengineering, or a closely related discipline with 2+ years of related experience

• Strong hands on experience in protein engineering, binder discovery, or directed evolution

• Demonstrated ability to independently execute complex, high throughput experimental workflows

• Experience integrating computational or ML guided designs into wet lab experiments

• Familiarity with display technologies (phage, yeast) and functional screening assays

• Track record of exceptional experimental productivity across multiple discovery efforts

• Experience contributing directly to programs advancing toward development

• Strong scientific communication skills and collaborative mindset

Attributes for Success

• Exceptionally strong bench level execution and experimental intuition

• Comfortable translating computational ideas into experimental reality

• Creative problem solver for difficult targets and engineering challenges

• Highly organized, resilient, and effective in fast paced discovery environments

• Trusted collaborator whose experimental output materially advances team success

The salary range for this position is: $169,320.00 - $219,120.00. Kite 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.

Kite is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of innovative cancer immunotherapies with a goal of providing rapid, long-term durable response and eliminating the burden of chronic care. The company is focused on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and T cell receptor (TCR) engineered cell therapies designed to empower the immune system's ability to recognize and kill tumors. Kite is based in Santa Monica, CA. For more information on Kite, please visit www.kitepharma.com. Sign up to follow @KitePharma on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kitepharma.

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Kite Pharma 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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Kite Pharma 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.

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Kite Pharma provides a work environment free of harassment and prohibited conduct. We promote and support individual differences and diversity of thoughts and opinion.

For Current Kite Pharma Employees and Contractors:

Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.