Quality Assurance Graduate Programme
Gilead Sciences · Ireland - Cork ·
- Category
- QA
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
Quality Assurance Graduate Programme (2027 Intake)
Application Period
14 September 2026 – 9 October 2026
Interview Process
Interviews will commence during the week of 21 September 2026.
Programme Duration & Start Date
This is a 2-year rotational Graduate Programme commencing in September 2027.
The programme is designed for students who will complete their degree prior to September 2027, as well as recent graduates who completed their studies no more than 12 months before the programme start date.
Please note: This opportunity is based at Gilead's Carrigtohill manufacturing facility in County Cork, Ireland. Applicants must be currently residing in County Cork. Candidates who are not based in County Cork at the time of hire will not be considered.
About Gilead
Gilead Sciences is a research-based biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and commercialises innovative medicines in areas of unmet medical need. With each new discovery and investigational drug candidate, we seek to improve the care of patients living with life-threatening diseases around the world.
Our therapeutic areas of focus include:
HIV/AIDS
Liver Diseases
Oncology (Cancer)
Inflammation
Serious Respiratory Diseases
Cardiovascular Conditions
At Gilead, our mission is to create a healthier world through scientific innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to patients.
The Opportunity
We are seeking ambitious, motivated, and highly engaged graduates to join our Quality Assurance Graduate Programme at our Carrigtwohill site in Cork.
This structured 2-year rotational programme provides an exceptional opportunity to build a strong foundation in pharmaceutical Quality Assurance while gaining exposure to multiple areas within a highly regulated manufacturing environment.
Throughout the programme, graduates will rotate through key Quality Assurance functions, gaining practical experience, developing technical expertise, and building a comprehensive understanding of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), quality systems, compliance, and pharmaceutical operations.
The successful candidate will receive ongoing mentoring, coaching, and development from experienced professionals to support their career growth and transition into the pharmaceutical industry.
About the Quality Assurance Team
The Quality Assurance (QA) team at Gilead Cork plays a critical role in ensuring that the medicines we manufacture meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and regulatory compliance for patients worldwide.
The team is divided into several specialist functional groups, providing graduates with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience across multiple areas of Quality Assurance.
As part of the programme, graduates will gain exposure to industry-leading electronic quality systems, including:
TrackWise
Veeva Vault
Electronic Documentation Systems
Quality Management Systems
Training Management Systems
Graduates will develop a strong understanding of how GMP principles are applied within a busy pharmaceutical manufacturing environment and how Quality Assurance partners with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, Validation, and other functions to ensure product quality and patient safety.
Key Responsibilities
During the rotational programme, you will have the opportunity to:
Develop your communication and stakeholder management skills through collaboration with teams across the Cork site.
Train and participate in core Quality Assurance activities and processes.
Develop strong review, compliance, and documentation skills while ensuring adherence to GMP requirements.
Support SOP creation, review, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Assist with internal audits, inspections, and quality walkthroughs.
Participate in deviation investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action activities.
Support quality metrics collection, trending, analysis, and reporting.
Gain experience using electronic quality management systems and pharmaceutical compliance tools.
Develop a broad understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes and quality requirements.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for this programme, candidates must:
Be on track to complete, or have recently completed, a Level 8 Bachelor's degree (minimum 2.1 classification) in a relevant discipline.
Have graduated no more than 12 months prior to the programme start date in September 2027, or be due to graduate before joining the programme.
Be legally eligible to work in Ireland.
Be based in County Cork or willing to relocate to County Cork before the programme start date.
Relevant disciplines include:
Pharmaceutical Sciences
Biotechnology
Chemistry
Biochemistry
Microbiology
Engineering
Life Sciences
Other related scientific disciplines
Knowledge, Experience & Skills
We are looking for graduates who demonstrate:
Strong attention to detail and a commitment to quality.
Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
Initiative, curiosity, and a willingness to learn.
Adaptability and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to build effective relationships and work collaboratively within teams.
Good organisational and time-management skills.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
What We Offer
A structured 2-year rotational development programme.
Mentorship and coaching from experienced Quality professionals.
Exposure to multiple Quality Assurance functions and pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
Hands-on experience in a highly regulated global biopharmaceutical environment.
Professional development opportunities and career support.
Experience working with industry-leading quality systems and technologies.
The opportunity to contribute to the manufacture of life-changing medicines for patients worldwide.
Gilead Core Values
Our culture is built around five core values:
Integrity – Doing What's Right
Teamwork – Working Together
Excellence – Being Your Best
Accountability – Taking Personal Responsibility
Inclusion – Encouraging Diversity
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.