Scientific Director, Complex In Vitro Models

The Respiratory, Immunology & Inflammation Research Unit (RIIRU) is seeking an enthusiastic and accomplished leader and Integrative Biologist for a Scientific Director role. This individual will lead a dynamic team of biologists with expertise in cellular/molecular biology, imaging and histology and will contribute to GSK's mission of developing therapies including neurodegenerative diseases, steatotic liver disease, and osteoarthritis. The successful candidate will engage in multidisciplinary teams to develop, validate, and implement human cellular 3D and micro-physiological systems, high resolution imaging, and molecular histology to provide translational biology for portfolio projects through to clinical Proof of Mechanism/Concept. We are seeking a talented leader with 8+ years of drug discovery and people management experience in the biopharmaceutical industry with focus on complex in vitro models in neuro, liver, or immune-related diseases.

The successful candidate will have deep knowledge and subject matter expertise in both 2D and 3D complex in vitro models and cellular imaging to focus and drive drug discovery. This role will have responsibility for directly managing, mentoring, and leading a team of laboratory scientists, and developing/driving strategy for disease-relevant, translational complex in vitro models for neurodegenerative diseases, steatotic liver disease, and osteoarthritis. The candidate will have strong communication and problem-solving skills, work collaboratively with other line leaders in the group, with portfolio project teams, matrix partners, and external collaborators to drive translational biology in drug discovery. Strong awareness of the external landscape in complex in vitro models is important.

An individual who is ambitious, aspires to learn about disease and technology, works collaboratively, demonstrates enterprising behavior, puts patients first, is courageous, reveres teamwork, assumes personal accountability, makes robust study designs and data-driven decisions, is open-minded, transparent, and an advocate of career development (self and others) will succeed in this role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, mentor, and support the technical and personal development of a team of 6-7 biologists.

• Serve as a subject matter expert in 2D and 3D complex in vitro models for neurology, hepatology, and osteoarthritis within and outside GSK.

• Join the leadership team to define and execute drug discovery strategy for the group.

• Generate innovative ideas by identifying emerging technologies and areas of science and convert those concepts into new translational biology approaches.

• Lead innovative technologies via internal development and/or through external partnerships including due diligence and managing contracts (e.g., CROs, biotech partners, academic investigators).

• Accelerate progress in drug discovery projects through effective interpersonal skills while collaborating with key stakeholders across disciplines internally and externally.

• Communicate effectively in daily work and in documents and presentations.

• Follow SOPs, policies, and provide oversight in internal and external studies to assure compliance and integrity.

• Promote scientific excellence and advancement as an inspiring, influential, and highly respected leader.

• Function as a strong ambassador for GSK to influence potential external partners.

About RIIBU: The Respiratory, Immunology & Inflammation Research Unit (RIIRU) was formed in 2024 to identify and advance novel molecular targets with human genetic associations to disease based on the foundational observation that targets with human genetic evidence supporting their causal role in the intended indication improves clinical success by two-fold. The biology unit within RIIRU (aka RIIBU) works across multiple therapy areas including neurodegenerative, metabolic, renal, immune, and respiratory disease. The neurodegenerative disease portfolio includes projects in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and ALS. The hepatology disease portfolio includes projects in MASH and ALD. The remit of RIIRU is to identify novel targets based on human genetics, develop assets for clinical studies, and perform up to Phase 2 studies in clinic. This goal is enabled through strategic external and GSK-internal partnerships.

Why you?

We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:

• Advanced degree (PhD or MD/PhD) in biological sciences with 8+ years experience in complex in vitro models applied to disease, demonstrated by a history of translational research in drug discovery in the biopharmaceutical industry.

• Extensive experience in cellular/molecular biology and imaging as well as practical experience in physiology and pharmacology are required.

• Recognized intellectual leader in the field of translational biology evidenced by publications in high quality peer reviewed scientific journals and/or patents.

• 5+ years demonstrated translational expertise in applying current state-of-the-art technologies such as iPSC-derived or primary human cell 2D and 3D complex in vitro models including with gene variants, omics analysis, and cellular phenotypic assays.

• 5+ years experience in partnering externally, performing robust peer reviews and due diligence, engaging internal and external partners.

• Experience in disease-relevant and target engagement biomarkers and corresponding patient populations.

• In-depth application experience of robust study design and analytical techniques (e.g., statistical, imaging).

• Demonstrated experience working across targets, therapeutic areas (neurology, liver, or immune-related diseases), and technologies for the benefit of drug discovery programs.

• 5+ years experience of direct line management including planning and managing resources.

• Project/biology leadership experience in drug discovery.

If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus:

• Independent, energetic, resourceful, and initiative-taking with excellent interpersonal skills.

• Profound awareness and interest in venturing into new emerging areas of research.

• Ability to assess the gaps in translational biology in drug discovery projects and guide identification and critical evaluation and validation of disease-relevant complex in vitro model to provide strategic direction in projects.

• Prior experience in a director-level role in pharmaceutical and/or Biotech drug discovery, leading a group of biologists.

• Strong self-motivation, capable of multi-tasking but with attention to detail, working on multiple projects in distinct phases of research, and delivering objectives on time/on budget.

• Ability to inspire, lead and develop a team of biologists with a breadth of skills to foster a culture of innovation, teamwork, performance, and trust.

• Strong influencing skills and resourcefulness to facilitate collaboration across GSK and with external partners.

• Ability to adapt to changing priorities.

• Experience in strategic planning and implementation for new models/technology.

• Knowledge and experience working in various drug modalities (e.g., small molecules, biologics, ASO).

• Demonstrated examples of proposing new ideas and opportunities for complex models applied to drug discovery.

Please visit GSK US Benefits Summary to learn more about the comprehensive benefits program GSK offers US employees.

Why GSK?

Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

GSK is a global biopharma company with a special purpose - to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together - so we can positively impact the health of billions of people and deliver stronger, more sustainable shareholder returns - as an organisation where people can thrive. We prevent and treat disease with vaccines, specialty and general medicines. We focus on the science of the immune system and the use of new platform and data technologies, investing in four core therapeutic areas (infectious diseases, HIV, respiratory/ immunology and oncology).

Our success absolutely depends on our people. While getting ahead of disease together is about our ambition for patients and shareholders, it's also about making GSK a place where people can thrive. We want GSK to be a place where people feel inspired, encouraged and challenged to be the best they can be. A place where they can be themselves - feeling welcome, valued, and included. Where they can keep growing and look after their wellbeing. So, if you share our ambition, join us at this exciting moment in our journey to get Ahead Together.

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