Scientist, Cell Biology

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

Job 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.

• undefined

 

Basic 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in Immunology, Virology, or Cell Biology is preferred.

• 4+ years experience in an academic or industry setting is preferred.

• Prior experience 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

 

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 [email protected] for assistance.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the 'Know Your Rights' poster.

NOTICE: EMPLOYEE POLYGRAPH PROTECTION ACT
YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

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.