Jobs / United States / Gilead Sciences INC
Principal Scientist, Biology
Gilead Sciences INC · 🇺🇸 United States - California - Foster City
Sponsorship verdict
Sponsorship possible
One solid signal, not two — worth applying, and worth asking about sponsorship early.
- Employer is on a government sponsor recordThe US Department of Labor certified 159 H-1B/E-3 labor condition applications for this employer between Oct 2025 and Jun 2026 (latest Jun 2026) — the step every H-1B hire needs first. USCIS also records 75 H-1B approvals in FY2023. Source: LCA disclosure data (US Department of Labor (OFLC)).
- The posting doesn’t mention sponsorshipSilence isn’t a refusal — ask the recruiter before investing much time.
- No salary bar for this routeH-1B has no fixed salary bar: the employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for the role and area. Cap-subject employers enter a lottery weighted by wage level. Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/29/2025-23853/weighted-selection-process-for-registrants-and-petitioners-seeking-to-file-cap-subject-h-1b, rules effective 2026-02-27.
- What Gilead Sciences INC paid sponsored hires in similar roles11 certified filings for “Sr Associate Scientist, Analytical Ops” (Biochemists and Biophysicists) in CA: $115k–$125k, median $117k. Most were filed at wage level II (64%) — 2 lottery entries, ≈31% projected selection odds for cap-subject employers. Source: US Department of Labor LCA disclosure data (Oct 2025 – Jun 2026).
- Confirmed live todayWhen a source last listed this job as open.
US H-1B: cap-subject employers enter a lottery weighted by wage level — Level I gets 1 entry, Level IV gets 4 (DHS projected selection odds ≈15% at Level I to ≈61% at Level IV). Universities and non-profit research employers are cap-exempt. The $100,000 fee for new petitions from abroad is currently blocked by a court order (appeal pending).
A verdict summarises public evidence; it is not legal advice and never a guarantee — the employer and the immigration authority decide. Sign in to factor in where you can already work.
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Sponsor Radar — Gilead Sciences INC
The US Department of Labor certified 159 H-1B/E-3 labor condition applications for this employer between Oct 2025 and Jun 2026 (latest Jun 2026) — the step every H-1B hire needs first. USCIS also records 75 H-1B approvals in FY2023. Source: LCA disclosure data (US Department of Labor (OFLC)).
Past sponsorship or register membership never guarantees sponsorship for this vacancy or for you. Full Sponsor Radar for Gilead Sciences INC →
About the role
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. Job Description The Virology Department is seeking a highly motivated scientific leader to join our herpesvirus research team and help drive antiviral drug discovery programs targeting viruses associated with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases as well as viruses relevant to immunocompromised populations. The successful candidate will advance established as well as new programs, evaluate emerging antiviral concepts, mentor scientists, and remain directly involved in experimental design, assay execution, data interpretation, and troubleshooting. This position offers the opportunity to shape Gilead’s growing antiviral portfolio in a fast-paced, collaborative, and well-resourced environment. Key responsibilities • Provide scientific and technical leadership for antiviral discovery programs, advancing initiatives from identification through candidate selection and progression • Lead the design and execution of in vitro virology studies, maintaining hands-on involvement in key cell-based assays, mechanistic studies, data interpretation, and resolution of complex scientific and technical challenges. • Identify and address critical scientific questions by evaluating novel antiviral targets, therapeutic concepts, technologies, disease models, and assays that strengthen scientific understanding and accelerate decision-making. • Serve as a scientific leader on cross-functional teams, providing strategic guidance on data interpretation, project direction, priorities, risks, trade-offs, and next steps. • Mentor and develop scientists, maintain high standards for experimental rigor and laboratory practices, and foster an inclusive, collaborative, and accountable research culture. • Communicate scientific insights effectively to project teams and senior leadership, and contribute to scientific publications, patents, regulatory submissions, and external presentations. Basic qualifications • BS virology, immunology, microbiology, or a related discipline with 10+ years of relevant research experience. OR • MS virology, immunology, microbiology, or a related discipline with 8+ years of relevant research experience. OR • PhD virology, immunology, microbiology, or a related discipline with 5+ years of relevant research experience. • Demonstrated expertise in virology with a record of independently advancing complex research through high-quality experimental design, execution, data interpretation, and scientific communication. • Experience mentoring or supervising lab-based scientists Preferred Qualifications • Postdoctoral training in virology, microbiology, molecular biology, cell biology, or a relate