Reporting to Vice President of Translational Sciences, Respiratory, Immunology and Inflammation Translational Unit (RIITU), the Senior Director, Biomarker Discovery, Translational Sciences will be responsible for leading laboratory teams in RIITU, delivering innovation in biomarker discovery, ensuring biomarkers are developed for transition to clinical biomarker teams as well generating experimental data to support translational evidence at disease and clinical asset level. A key aspect of this role will be to further develop biomarker insights from high-dimensional omics and genetic approaches generated in the teams at GSK and bring this insight into biomarker innovation and development.
The successful candidate will work closely with the other members of the RIITU leadership team and the overarching research unit leadership teams, GSK matrix and external partners and will represent RIITU at governance level.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Translational Biomarker Discovery Leadership:
Lead, inspire, and scale a high-performing Biomarker discovery and assay team of ~20 scientists across US and UK, creating a culture of scientific rigor, innovation, and continuous improvement. Mentor and empower team members to reach their full potential, fostering a collaborative environment that maximizes the team’s collective impact on GSK’s R&D objectives.
Oversee the biomarker assay development supporting translational science and biomarker discovery, ensuring operational excellence across assay development, context-of-use validation, and sample analysis.
Drive the alignment with the biomarker assay group in Development organization on assay platforms and quality expectations to ensure successful assay transitions from preclinical and translational science to clinical study support.
Drive the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and methodologies in biomarker identification and measurements; implement new approaches to enhance the quality and throughput of biomarker assays through the application of insights from resources such as the Human Cell Atlas, disease tissue multi-omics data and genetic resources (external or proprietary).
2. Disease Biomarker Strategy Development:
Partner with the Disease Teams, Research Technologies and the Development organisation to identify, establish disease biomarkers for decision making throughout clinical development phases and aligned with the overall research and development goals. This will include the identification, prioritisation and validation of disease relevant biomarkers, mechanistic/surrogate biomarkers, patient stratification, and differentiated response prediction through to their deployment into clinical studies.
3. Cross-functional Collaboration:
Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including the Translational, Disease Teams, Human Genetics & Genomics, biology groups, biomarker platforms, Medicine Development Teams, HBSM, data-sciences, regulatory affairs, business development and commercial to ensure seamless integration of translational research and biomarker strategies across the drug development lifecycle.
4. External Partnerships:
Establish and maintain strategic collaborations with academic institutions, contract research organizations (CROs), and other external partners to access cutting-edge technologies, tools, reagents, biosamples, biomarker expertise, and research capabilities.
Foster a network of external experts and key opinion leaders to stay at the forefront of translational science and biomarker advancements across the industry.
Contribute to evaluation and diligence of business development opportunities.
5. Matrix Leadership:
Provide mentorship, guidance, and professional development opportunities to ensure a high-performing and motivated team.
Manage disease and project level resources, budgets, and timelines to ensure the successful execution of projects and achievement of milestones and RIITU objectives.
Why you?
Basic Qualifications:
6. Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., Cell/Molecular Biology, Genetics, Pharmacology, Physical Chemistry or related field)
7. Extensive experience in translational science and biomarker development within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry with broad knowledge in technologies and methods used in translational research.
8. Recognised translational biomarker expert in scientific community through publications and contributions to the field.
9. Track record of developing novel biomarkers working with multi-omics evidence
10. Knowledge of regulatory requirements, industry standards, best practices and compliance considerations in Translational Research and biomarker development and validation.
11. Broad knowledge in technologies and methods used in translational research.
12. Proven track record of program decision making through implementing biomarker strategies and delivering translational science insights in support of drug progression through clinical transition milestones.
13. Experience leading/managing external collaborations and evaluation of business development opportunities.
14. Strong executive management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects to meet timelines while maintaining attention to detail and high-performance standards.
15. Excellent inclusive matrix leadership skills, with the ability to create psychological safety, inspire and motivate a team towards achieving common goals.
16. Ability to adapt to a fast-paced and evolving research environment, with strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
17. Awareness of bioinformatic / computational methods supporting integrated analysis and interpretation of translational and biomarker-related data sets.
Work Location:
This role is based in the United Kingdom or United States and will require on-site presence with flexibility for hybrid working arrangements.
Why GSK?
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.
GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.
We believe in an agile working culture for all our roles. If flexibility is important to you, we encourage you to explore with our hiring team what the opportunities are.