Director, Medical Affairs Research

Job Description

At Gilead, we’re creating a healthier world for all people. For more than 35 years, we’ve tackled diseases such as HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19 and cancer – working relentlessly to develop therapies that help improve lives and to ensure access to these therapies across the globe. We continue to fight against the world’s biggest health challenges, and our mission requires collaboration, determination and a relentless drive to make a difference.

Every member of Gilead’s team plays a critical role in the discovery and development of life-changing scientific innovations. Our employees are our greatest asset as we work to achieve our bold ambitions, and we’re looking for the next wave of passionate and ambitious people ready to make a direct impact.

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 Gilead and help create possible, together.

As the Director, Medical Affairs Research – Oncology, you will serve as a senior research lead within Oncology Medical Affairs, responsible for defining and executing medical affairs led evidence generation across the oncology portfolio. This role will be used to hire multiple Directors with complementary methodological expertise.

Directors in this role must bring deep expertise in one or more of the following methodological areas: interventional (Phase 4 and collaborative) research, observational / real‑world evidence research, and implementation science. While each Director is expected to anchor in at least one primary area of expertise, all will collaborate closely to deliver integrated, fit‑for‑purpose evidence aligned to Integrated Evidence Plans (IEPs).

Essential Duties & Job Functions

• Lead Oncology Medical Affairs Research strategy aligned to Integrated Evidence Plans across assets and disease areas
• Provide scientific leadership for late‑phase oncology research, selecting and applying appropriate methodologies based on evidence gaps
• Serve as Medical Affairs Study Lead (MASL) for Gilead‑sponsored and collaborative research studies
• Define research questions and guide protocol development for interventional, observational, and/or implementation science studies
• Oversee a portfolio of Oncology MAR studies, ensuring scientific rigor, operational feasibility, governance, and compliance
• Influence cross‑functional partners across Development, HEOR, Commercial, Safety, and external stakeholders
• Build and sustain external scientific partnerships including academic investigators, cooperative groups, data partners, and health systems
• Translate study findings into scientific communications such as abstracts, manuscripts, and presentations
• Provide mentorship and scientific leadership within Oncology Medical Affairs to strengthen research capability
• Ensure adherence to regulatory, legal, and business conduct standards governing Medical Affairs research

Key Capabilities & Methodological Expertise

Candidates must demonstrate deep scientific expertise in one or more of the following areas. Expertise in multiple areas is strongly preferred.

• Interventional Research: Expertise in Phase 4 interventional trial design and conduct, including protocol development, feasibility assessment, execution oversight, and collaboration with academic and cooperative research groups.

• Observational / Real‑World Evidence Research: Expertise in observational study design and analysis, including use of real‑world data sources such as claims, EHRs, registries, and linked datasets, with strong understanding of epidemiologic and methodological rigor.

• Implementation Science Research: Expertise in implementation science frameworks and mixed‑methods research, focused on translating evidence into real‑world oncology practice, addressing care gaps, and driving adoption and sustainability.

Knowledge & Skills

• Demonstrated scientific credibility and thought leadership in oncology research
• Experience serving as major contributing author on manuscripts, abstracts, or scientific congress submissions.
• Strong strategic thinking with ability to translate complex evidence gaps into actionable research plans
• Proven ability to influence and collaborate across complex, matrixed organizations
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Ability to operate effectively in a global environment
• High standards of integrity, accountability, and commitment to compliant scientific exchange

Education & Experience

• Advanced scientific or medical degree (e.g., MD, PhD, PharmD, MPH) required.
• Demonstrated history of scientific publications and/or authorship in peer‑reviewed journals within the candidate’s primary area of methodological expertise (interventional clinical research, observational / real‑world evidence, and/or implementation science).
• Extensive experience in oncology research, medical affairs, or related pharmaceutical or academic settings.
• Significant experience leading late‑phase research, including Phase 4, collaborative, and Medical Affairs‑led studies.
• Strong understanding of regulatory, ethical, and compliance requirements governing Medical Affairs research activities.

We are pleased to share that Gilead’s Stockley Park and Holborn offices are planning to come together at a new London headquarters at 1 Triton Square, NW1, from approximately Q2 2027. Applicants should consider this planned location change when applying for this role. Gilead operates a flexible working policy, offering a balanced approach with two days of remote working and three days working onsite

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

It is the policy of Gilead Sciences, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively "Gilead" or the "Company") to recruit select and employ the most qualified persons available for positions throughout the Company. Except if otherwise provided by applicable law, all employment actions relating to issues such as compensation, benefits, transfers, layoffs, returns from layoffs, company-sponsored training, education assistance, social and recreational programs are administered on a non-discriminatory basis (i.e. without regard to protected characteristics or prohibited grounds, which may include an individual’s gender, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, medical condition, veteran status, and age, unless such protection is prohibited by federal, state, municipal, provincial, local or other applicable laws). Gilead also prohibits discrimination based on any other characteristics protected by applicable laws.

For Current Gilead Employees and Contractors:

Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.