We create a place where people can grow, be their best, be safe, and feel welcome, valued and included. We offer a competitive salary, an annual bonus based on company performance, healthcare and wellbeing programmes, pension plan membership, and shares and savings programme.

We embrace modern work practises; our Performance with Choice programme offers a hybrid working model, empowering you to find the optimal balance between remote and in-office work.

Job Description

GSK is a focused biopharma company with strong momentum and big ambitions, 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. Our R&D focuses on four therapeutic areas – respiratory, immunology and inflammation; oncology; HIV; and infectious diseases.

A unique opportunity has arisen for a 1-year position to cover the role of Director, Chemical Biology. This is an exciting opportunity to drive harmonisation, productivity and innovation within GSK’s Target Discovery organisation.

Job Purpose

In this role you will collaborate closely with platform scientists and disease biology experts to shape and execute target identification and validation strategy, driving enhanced pipeline value and overall organisational success.

• Collaborate closely with platform scientists and disease biology experts to shape and execute target identification and validation strategy, driving enhanced pipeline value and overall organisational success.
• Lead GSK’s global chemogenomics matrix team, with accountability for evolution of this capability to ensure it is best positioned for successful delivery.
• Lead and develop a high performing chemical biology team based in Stevenage, UK.
• Influence the strategic direction and application of other chemical biology platforms in support of bespoke target validation activities and in line with global strategy.
• Develop strong and effective partnerships with key stakeholders including, but not limited to, therapeutic Research Units, Human Biology and Molecular Modalities Discovery.
• Represent the chemical biology department in project and portfolio reviews, engaging with senior stakeholders to align departmental objectives and drive continuous improvement.

Requirements

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

• PhD/DPhil or equivalent experience in chemical biology or related fields such as biochemistry, molecular pharmacology or molecular cell biology.
• Significant experience in drug discovery which should encompass people leadership: managing, training and developing scientific talent.
• Experience in pharmacology or mechanistic biology with tangible examples of reaching successful scientific milestones.
• Experience of working collaboratively across the interface of scientific disciplines such as chemistry, screening, mechanistic biology/pharmacology and ‘omics technology platforms, with examples of influencing scientific decision making.
• Experience of setting and prioritising measurable research goals at a department level, accompanied by a strong track record of delivering against these goals.
• Strong communication skills coupled with an ability to think strategically in order to influence stakeholders and stimulate organisational challenge.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

Please note the following skills are not necessary, just preferred, if you do not have them, please still apply:

• Experience of developing and/or contributing to research programs where chemical biology is integral to the proposal.
• Experience of working with large datasets, including approaches for data integration and visualisation at scale.
• Knowledge of chemical biology techniques and related technologies that support target identification, engagement and validation.

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.