Sr. Director, Inflammation Research

Job Description

Gilead's mission is to discover, develop, and deliver therapies that will improve the lives of patients with life-threatening illnesses worldwide.

The Inflammation Department at Gilead Sciences is seeking an experienced and highly motivated scientist to join us as Sr. Director, Inflammation to lead and build a team focused on the discovery and development of therapeutic agents for autoimmune diseases. Areas of interest include inflammatory bowel diseases, atopic/allergic diseases, rheumatological conditions, and other inflammatory disorders. The primary focus will be on eliminating pathogenic cells and promoting immune tolerance through both traditional approaches and novel modalities such as cell therapy and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technologies.

As a key member of a cross-functional team, the successful candidate will lead discovery and translational research programs to identify and characterize novel therapeutic targets and pathways, ultimately driving the development of innovative therapeutic modalities toward clinical evaluation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of scientists to advance discovery and translational research in autoimmune disease pathogenesis, identify novel therapeutic targets, and develop and characterize drug candidates using cutting-edge technologies and preclinical models.

• Collaborate with internal teams across departments and external partners to develop therapeutic strategies and establish discovery platforms and technologies.

• Contribute to the evaluation of external opportunities in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases as part of a cross-functional team.

• Build and mentor a high-performing team with deep scientific expertise and strong execution capabilities.

• Contribute to intellectual property and scientific communication through patent filings, publications, and conference presentations.

Basic Qualifications:

• Doctorate and 12+ years of scientific research experience OR

• Master’s and 12+ years of scientific research OR

• Bachelor’s and 14+ years of scientific research

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. with postdoctoral training and 15+ years of scientific research in immunology or autoimmune diseases.

• Over 10 years of independent or leadership experience in academia or industry (e.g., principal investigator or lab head). Industry leadership experience is preferred.

• Demonstrated scientific excellence through impactful publications or successful therapeutic programs.

• Independent, self-motivated, flexible, and collaborative, with a strong drive for results in a dynamic environment.

• Deep expertise in immunology, autoimmune diseases, and novel modalities such as cell therapy or LNPs, supported by high-impact publications and/or a track record of advancing therapies from discovery to clinical stages.

• Broad understanding of drug discovery and development for small molecules and/or biologics; regulatory experience and knowledge of cell therapy are strong assets.

• Proven leadership experience, including managing multiple projects or teams simultaneously. Experience in external collaborations and partnerships is preferred.

• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and organizational 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.