Job description
Site Name: UK - Hertfordshire - Stevenage
Posted Date: Mar 12 2026
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(Senior) Principal Scientist, Extracellular Targeted Cancer Therapeutics
The Extracellular Targeted Cancer Therapeutics (ETCT) Biology Unit within the Oncology Research Unit is seeking an experienced Principal Scientist/Senior Principal Scientist to contribute to programs in pre-clinical and early clinical phases in the targeted biologics portfolio focusing on antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and T cell engagers (TCEs). The candidate will work within multi-disciplinary program teams by contributing to and leading biology strategy, delivering molecule mechanism of action and potency data and providing input into other functions such as pharmacokinetics, non-clinical safety, biomarkers and clinical development. The successful applicant will have prior experience managing cross-functional biologics matrix teams with oversight of critical path biology in the preclinical development of novel biologics for cancer therapy, such as ADCs and TCEs.
In this role you will…
* Design and deliver basic and translational critical path biology work packages as matrix team leader to support pre-clinical and early clinical biologics programs.
* As biology lead, represent the ETCT Biology Unit within programme matrix teams and engage with stakeholders across the organization to deliver the biology strategy
* Work independently to design and execute impactful experiments which influence the direction of assets in the ETCT BU portfolio. Experiments include potency and mechanism of action studies to deliver decision-driving data for biologics programmes.
* Champion innovative experimental techniques/technologies internally and at CROs.
* Build communication networks across the Research organization.
* Train and mentor junior scientists and complementary workers.
Why you?
Basic Qualifications:
We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:
* BSc. or higher degree in Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Immunology or related fields with significant pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry research and leadership experience.
* Deep expertise in cancer biology, good interpersonal skills and an ability to work independently.
* Experience in progressing cancer therapies from target ID to candidate selection and supporting critical path mechanistic biology with simple and complex disease models.
* Experience leading cross-functional drug discovery project teams to develop novel therapeutic platforms for biologics targets.
* Attention to detail and proficient reasoning skills in experimental design, data analysis, statistical methods and interpretation.
* Independence, problem-solving abilities, self-motivation, resourcefulness, and the ability to work in a fast-paced team environment.
* Demonstrated technical expertise in cell culture, general lab instrumentation, cell-based assays such as proliferation, cytotoxicity, immunoassays such as ELISA and experience with Flow Cytometry.
Preferred Qualifications:
If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus:
* MS or PhD in Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Immunology or related fields with demonstrated of post-doctoral training or pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry research and leadership experience.
* Experience with the design and testing of biologics.
* Direct and/or management experience for a range of biologists including biochemists, cellular/molecular biologists and cell-based assay developers and flow cytometry experts.
* Strong peer-reviewed publication, public speaking / presentation and/or inventorship record.
Closing Date for Applications – 22nd March 2026
Please take a copy of the Job Description, as this will not be available post closure of the advert.
When applying for this role, please use the ‘cover letter’ of the online application or your CV to describe how you meet the competencies for this role, as outlined in the job requirements above. The information that you have provided in your cover letter and CV will be used to assess your application.
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Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.
GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We aim to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade, as a successful, growing company where people can thrive.
We get ahead of disease by preventing and treating it with innovation in specialty medicines and vaccines. We focus on four therapeutic areas: respiratory, immunology and inflammation; oncology; HIV; and infectious diseases – to impact health at scale.
People and patients around the world count on the medicines and vaccines we make, so we’re committed to creating an environment where our people can thrive and focus on what matters most. Our culture of being ambitious for patients, accountable for impact and doing the right thing is the foundation for how, together, we deliver for patients, shareholders and our people.
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