Scientist, Cell Biology

About the role

We’re dedicated to developing treatments and pioneering personalized CAR T-cell therapies that change the paradigm of cancer care. Join Kite to advance cancer therapies and help shape the future of our business and medical science. As a people leader or future leader, you’ll drive our culture and create an environment where every employee feels included, developed, and empowered.

Responsibilities

• Design, plan, and execute experiments (in vivo and in vitro) with limited guidance against project timelines, goals, and study endpoints; coordinate day-to-day study logistics as needed.
• Lead and execute hands-on in vivo mouse studies including routine animal handling, dosing/injections (e.g., intravenous tail vein and intraperitoneal, as applicable), IVIS imaging support, blood collection, tissue harvest/dissection, and sample processing in accordance with approved protocols and SOPs.
• Design, perform, and optimize complementary in vitro experiments (e.g., routine mammalian cell culture, primary human cell handling, and cell-based assays) to evaluate experimental constructs and connect in vitro findings to in vivo outcomes; engineer, culture, and characterize CAR T cells in vitro as needed.
• Conduct immunophenotyping and biomarker readouts, including flow cytometry, analyze results, and translate findings into actionable next steps.
• Set up and run ELISA and other plate-based assays, analyze and interpret data with attention to quality and reproducibility, and present results in team meetings.
• Independently troubleshoot and optimize in vivo procedures and in vitro assays using critical thinking and scientific judgment to reduce variability and improve robustness.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to align study plans, sample logistics, and data outputs with program objectives; summarize findings in clear technical updates and presentations.
• Develop technical solutions to complex problems requiring ingenuity and creativity; troubleshoot and optimize methods and workflows to improve scientific outcomes relating to in vivo and ex vivo studies.
• Contribute to a positive, high-performing team culture by sharing best practices and mentoring/training junior staff in mouse study execution, assay performance, data analysis, and laboratory organization.
• Maintain mammalian cell lines and primary human cells using sterile technique in a biosafety cabinet.
• Organize and maintain experimental work in an electronic lab notebook.
• Occasional weekend work might be required.

Requirements

• BS with 6+ years of relevant experience OR MS with 4+ years of relevant experience OR PhD/PharmD with 0+ years of relevant experience.

Qualifications

• Degree in Immunology, Virology, or Cell Biology is preferred.
• 4+ years experience in an academic or industry setting is preferred.
• Prior experience with mouse handling and interventions including intravenous (tail vein) and intraperitoneal injections are highly preferred.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and scientific judgment, with a track record of independently troubleshooting and optimizing methods to deliver high-quality, reproducible data.
• Ability to flex seamlessly between hands-on mouse studies and bench-based in vitro experiments, adapting daily priorities to meet program needs and study schedules.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture and primary cells is ideal.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to high-quality data generation.
• Demonstrated ability to work under minimal direction on moderately complex assignments; independently determines and develops approaches, with most work reviewed minimally.
• Proven experience planning and executing research experiments independently and applying scientific judgment to define next steps based on outcomes.
• Experience contributing to written scientific outputs (e.g., reports, publications, patents, or external presentations).
• Established record of scientific research excellence in academia and/or industry.
• Experience leading components of cross-functional projects and mentoring junior colleagues.
• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, Prism, and other programs to create and distribute reports and key information.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work onsite in a laboratory environment.

Pay

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

• Company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans.

For additional benefits information, visit: Gilead Careers - Compensation, Benefits, and Wellbeing.