Overview In this role you will advance mRNA-LNP discovery research within Gilead's LNP Center of Excellence, partnering with cross-functional teams to translate LNP technology into clinical development. You help shape formulation strategies and drive innovation across Virology, Oncology, and Inflammation programs. You will lead high impact projects, mentor scientists, and build collaborations with academia, CROs, and industry partners. This is a chance to influence delivery science at scale in a mission-driven environment.
Compensation / Benefits- salary range listed
- discretionary annual bonus
- discretionary stock-based long-term incentives
- paid time off
- benefits package (medical, dental, vision, life insurance)
Responsibilities- Serve as the in-house expert on lipid chemistry and LNP formulation with focus on ionizable lipids and targeted mRNA delivery
- Lead design, synthesis, and evaluation of ionizable lipids in collaboration with internal and external partners
- Design and optimize mRNA-LNP formulations and architectures, including conjugation strategies
- Execute high-throughput LNP formulation and in vitro screening to assess transfection, tropism, immune activation, and activity
- Establish LNP purification and QC workflows (particle size, PDI, zeta potential, encapsulation, LC lipid/RNA analysis)
- Cultivate strategic collaborations and communicate findings via reports, presentations, manuscripts, and patents
Key requirements- Ph.D. in relevant discipline
- 2+ years of directly relevant post-PhD experience in LNP-based nucleic acid delivery
- Hands-on expertise in mRNA-LNP formulation and characterization (lipid selection, microfluidic platforms, DLS/PDI, zeta potential, encapsulation assays, LC analysis)
- Experience with tangential-flow filtration (TFF) for LNP purification
- Experience designing high-throughput or DoE-based formulation screening and integrating multi-parameter data
- Ability to lead projects independently and mentor junior scientists in a matrixed environment
- Strong project management and multi-project oversight with high-quality standards
- Excellent verbal and written communication and cross-disciplinary collaboration skills
- strong collaboration across functional areas
- mentorship and people leadership potential
- effective communication to executive leadership
- LNP formulation and characterization
- ionizable lipid chemistry
- lipid library design and synthesis
