Director, Medicinal Chemistry - ADC Group Leader

6d6 days ago

Gilead Sciences

Foster City, US · Full-time · $226,185 – $292,710

About this role

At Gilead, we’re creating a healthier world for all people, tackling diseases like HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19 and cancer. As Director, Medicinal Chemistry, ADC Group Leader, drive strategy from early concept through lead selection and development candidate nomination. Focus on developability and differentiation in ADC programs.

Serve as chemistry/bioconjugation leader for one or more ADC programs, defining small-molecule design strategy for payloads and linkers. Align with mechanism-of-action, stability/cleavage concepts, and property optimization for antibody conjugation. Propose innovative solutions addressing programmatic or platform needs.

Translate complex data packages from chemistry, analytical, biology, and DMPK into recommendations for cross-functional teams. Lead design, synthesis, purification, and characterization of ADC-related intermediates and protein conjugates. Partner with protein therapeutics and DMPK colleagues on conjugate quality and data interpretability.

Every member of Gilead’s team plays a critical role in life-changing innovations. People Leaders drive culture, inclusion, development, and empowerment. Join to achieve bold ambitions and make a direct impact together.

Requirements

Expertise in medicinal chemistry and bioconjugation for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)
Experience leading ADC programs from early concept to development candidate nomination
Proficiency in designing small-molecule payloads and linkers with focus on stability, cleavage, and conjugation properties
Ability to integrate and interpret multidisciplinary data (chemistry, biology, DMPK, analytical)
Track record of proposing innovative solutions for ADC platform and program challenges
Knowledge of emerging ADC technologies, external assets, and diligence evaluation
Leadership in cross-functional execution and group mentoring in medicinal chemistry

Responsibilities

Serve as chemistry/bioconjugation leader for one or more ADC programs, driving strategy from early concept through lead selection and development candidate nomination
Define and drive small-molecule design strategy for ADC payloads and linkers, including mechanism-of-action alignment, stability/cleavage concepts, and property optimization
Propose innovative solutions that address programmatic or platform based needs
Translate complex data packages (chemistry, analytical, biology, DMPK) into clear recommendations and decisions for cross-functional teams and governance forums
Identify and propose new opportunities from internal science and external landscape; develop program proposals
Maintain broad awareness of latest technologies, external platforms, and assets; collaborate with Corporate Development on diligence efforts
Lead or coordinate design, synthesis, purification, and characterization of ADC-related intermediates and protein conjugates
Partner closely with protein therapeutics and DMPK colleagues to ensure conjugate quality and interpretability of key data