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
The Scientist, Research High Throughput Screening & Analytics (HTSA) role is a technical and scientific specialist within Kite Research who designs, executes, analyzes, and improves high-throughput screening, scale-down, and analytical workflows that support in vivo lentiviral vector research programs. The role generates high-quality experimental data and scientific insight across screening campaigns, automated assay workflows, vector and cell-based characterization, and data analysis pipelines. Operating with limited guidance, the Scientist applies scientific judgment to troubleshoot methods, interpret complex data sets, recommend next steps, and communicate outcomes clearly to HTSA and cross-functional partners.
This role is expected to combine hands-on laboratory execution with automation-minded workflow development and data-driven decision making. The Scientist will partner with Discovery, Process Development, Analytical Development, and other Kite Research stakeholders to deliver reproducible, decision-enabling data that advances early product and platform development.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, plan, and execute high-throughput screening and analytical experiments with limited guidance, including miniaturized and scale-down assay formats that support vector, process, analytical, and functional characterization needs.
- Develop, optimize, and troubleshoot automated or semi-automated laboratory workflows using liquid handling, scheduling, plate-based assay, and data capture platforms to improve throughput, reproducibility, and data quality.
- Execute and analyze cell-based, vector-based, and analytical assays relevant to in vivo CAR-T and lentiviral vector research, including transduction, vector performance, binding, expression, potency, and related characterization endpoints as appropriate to project needs.
- Build or improve data reduction, visualization, and reporting workflows using tools such as Python, R, SQL, VBA, JMP, Prism, Spotfire, or equivalent platforms; apply appropriate statistical and analytical methods to support candidate selection and project decisions.
- Analyze and interpret complex experimental data; draw logical, evidence-based conclusions and recommend next steps that enable rapid project decisions across HTSA, Analytical Development, Process Development, and Discovery.
- Identify and solve technical problems requiring ingenuity and creativity, including assay variability, scale-down translation, automation failures, data integrity issues, and workflow bottlenecks.
- Prepare and present clear technical summaries, reports, data packages, and presentations for functional and cross-functional audiences; contribute to technical reports, publications, patent-supporting materials, or regulatory documentation as appropriate.
- Collaborate frequently across Kite Research to align screening plans, sample logistics, assay design, automation needs, and deliverables with broader program objectives.
- Maintain accurate, traceable, and well-organized experimental records and data files in accordance with Kite documentation, data integrity, safety, and quality expectations.
- Share technical expertise, train colleagues on methods or automation workflows, and contribute to a collaborative, problem-solving culture within HTSA and partner functions.
Basic qualifications:
- MS with 4+ years of relevant experience; or
- BS with 6+ years of relevant experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- PhD or PharmD in Biotechnology, Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Biomedical Engineering, Bioengineering, or a related scientific discipline with 0+ years of relevant experience; or
- MS with 4+ years of relevant experience; or
- BS with 6+ years of relevant experience.
- Advanced and current knowledge of scientific principles and techniques in biotechnology, molecular biology, cell biology, immunology, biomedical engineering, analytical development, or a related field.
- Demonstrated ability to independently design and execute experiments, troubleshoot methods, interpret data, and define next steps under limited guidance.
- Experience with high-throughput screening, assay miniaturization, laboratory automation, automated liquid handling, or scale-down experimental systems.
- Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, plate-based assays, vector or cell-based characterization assays, and/or analytical method development in a biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or academic research environment.
- Experience analyzing and summarizing complex experimental data using appropriate statistical, visualization, or workflow automation tools.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional research environment and communicate scientific findings clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Strong documentation practices, attention to data quality, and commitment to laboratory safety, reproducibility, and rigorous experimental execution.
- Ability to provide technical advice, share best practices, and help train or mentor less experienced colleagues in laboratory methods, automation workflows, or data analysis approaches.
- Relevant experience may include high-throughput screening, assay development, laboratory automation, vector or cell-based characterization, analytical development, data analysis, or applied research in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, academic, or related R&D environments.
- Experience with lentiviral vector production, characterization, or functional evaluation.
- Experience with primary immune cell or T-cell assays, transduction workflows, flow cytometry, ELISA/AlphaLISA, BLI/Octet, internalization, binding, or potency-oriented assay formats.
- Experience implementing or troubleshooting liquid handlers, schedulers, or integrated systems such as Tecan EVO/Fluent, Hamilton STAR, Beckman Biomek, CyBio FeliX, Opentrons, HighRes, BioSero Green Button Go, Agilent Velocity11, or comparable platforms.
- Experience programming or scripting in Python, R, SQL, VBA, MATLAB, or related tools to automate analysis, quality control, visualization, or reporting.
- Familiarity with Design of Experiments (DOE), multivariate optimization, assay qualification concepts, or statistical methods used in screening and analytical development.
- Experience working in a biotechnology or cell/gene therapy environment with cross-functional partners in Discovery, Process Development, Analytical Development, or Translational Research.
- 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: $133,195.00 - $172,370.00. 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.
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.
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.
