Principal Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry (ADC and Bioconjugation)
Gilead Sciences
June 30, 2026
Remote friendly (San Francisco Bay Area)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Responsibilities:
- Identify new ADC opportunities from internal pipeline/external landscape; develop project proposals cross-functionally; present at scientific review meetings; lead projects through nomination of clinical candidate and early preclinical development.
- Set ADC program strategy for long-term growth; assess new projects/modalities; guide existing ADC teams.
- Maintain awareness of latest technologies/platforms/assets; support diligence and make recommendations.
- Coordinate medicinal chemistry for ADC payload design/optimization and devise linker strategies.
- Expand bioconjugation capabilities; design, synthesize, and purify protein bioconjugates across medicinal chemistry, protein therapeutics, and discovery biology.
- Enable structured data acquisition for ADC modalities with Data Sciences/Informatics.
- Train/technically support team members on bioconjugation techniques and ADCs.
- Collaborate across R&D and with external partners; present scientific results.
Required Qualifications:
- PhD (+5 yrs), MS (+8 yrs), or BS (+10 yrs) in organic chemistry or equivalent with ADC/medicinal chemistry/bioconjugation focus.
- Proven bench success and leadership in ADC drug discovery.
- ADC characterization experience (SEC, HIC, RPLC, high-resolution MS for DAR); IP collaboration.
- Experience designing linker cleavage mechanisms and hydrophilic mask strategies.
- Familiarity with automation for high-throughput conjugation; enzymatic conjugation methods.
- Track record as project team leader; strong written/verbal communication; collaboration; scientific rigor.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced degree years in organic chemistry (PhD +8, MS +10, BS +12) with ADC/medicinal chemistry/bioconjugation focus.
Benefits:
- Salary range: $195,670.00–$253,220.00; may include discretionary bonus, stock-based long-term incentives, paid time off, and medical/dental/vision/life insurance.
Application Instructions (internal):
- Apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.
- Identify new ADC opportunities from internal pipeline/external landscape; develop project proposals cross-functionally; present at scientific review meetings; lead projects through nomination of clinical candidate and early preclinical development.
- Set ADC program strategy for long-term growth; assess new projects/modalities; guide existing ADC teams.
- Maintain awareness of latest technologies/platforms/assets; support diligence and make recommendations.
- Coordinate medicinal chemistry for ADC payload design/optimization and devise linker strategies.
- Expand bioconjugation capabilities; design, synthesize, and purify protein bioconjugates across medicinal chemistry, protein therapeutics, and discovery biology.
- Enable structured data acquisition for ADC modalities with Data Sciences/Informatics.
- Train/technically support team members on bioconjugation techniques and ADCs.
- Collaborate across R&D and with external partners; present scientific results.
Required Qualifications:
- PhD (+5 yrs), MS (+8 yrs), or BS (+10 yrs) in organic chemistry or equivalent with ADC/medicinal chemistry/bioconjugation focus.
- Proven bench success and leadership in ADC drug discovery.
- ADC characterization experience (SEC, HIC, RPLC, high-resolution MS for DAR); IP collaboration.
- Experience designing linker cleavage mechanisms and hydrophilic mask strategies.
- Familiarity with automation for high-throughput conjugation; enzymatic conjugation methods.
- Track record as project team leader; strong written/verbal communication; collaboration; scientific rigor.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced degree years in organic chemistry (PhD +8, MS +10, BS +12) with ADC/medicinal chemistry/bioconjugation focus.
Benefits:
- Salary range: $195,670.00–$253,220.00; may include discretionary bonus, stock-based long-term incentives, paid time off, and medical/dental/vision/life insurance.
Application Instructions (internal):
- Apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.