GSK
Team: Biology Group 3
Team Focus: Correcting dysfunction at the barrier immune interface and prosecuting B-cell mechanisms in disease
Manager: David Michalovich
Job Profile Name Biology Director 5
Job Profile Summary
Background
Adaptive Immunity relies on the coordination and expansion of specific adaptive immune cells. Immune memory follows the adaptive response, when mature adaptive cells, highly specific to the original pathogen, are retained for later use. Currently, there are a wealth of pathway and target opportunities to modulate the adaptive immune system, this is set to rapidly increase with technological advances afforded by immunophenotyping and single cell functional genomics. The Adaptive Immunity Research Unit is positioned to optimise our opportunities in this exciting area of research.
Within this context and building on GSK’s capabilities in B-cell therapeutics, there is an opportunity for a Director level scientist to identify new targets and drive new B-cell therapies through to early clinical assessment. This will lead to the building of a better understanding of the role B-cells play in disease processes and expand our portfolio of B cell- targeted medicines, exemplified by Benlysta, the current standard of care for treating systemic lupus erythematosus. The Adaptive Immunity RU team will have access to unprecedented genetic resources through GSK’s collaboration with 23andMe, FinnGen and Open Targets combined with cell specific epigenetic datasets and functional genomic screens to identify pathogenic cell types, pathways and targets. The team will prosecute current target programmes aligned to the above area of biology and progress new targets and disease mechanisms identified through access to large genetic datasets and output from functional genomic screens. Using our genetic and mechanistic understanding we will seek to align our therapeutic opportunities to the best clinical indications.
Your Responsibilities:
In this Director level leadership role, you will be accountable for establishing and leading a team focused on identifying new therapeutic opportunities relating to the modulation of B-cell function in disease. You will report into to one of the Senior Biology Directors in the Adaptive Immunology RU at GSK Stevenage.
Your demonstrated expertise in B-cell immunology coupled with an understanding of state of the art immunophenotyping, genetic and genomic approaches to understand cellular phenotypes and gene function (scRNAseq, CRISPR) will enable you and the team to characterise B-cell function in disease and initiate integrated target discovery and validation programmes.
As a leader you will be expected to interact productively and in an enterprise fashion with teams across the Adaptive Immunology Research Unit as well as with partners in Human Genetics, Functional Genomic and Molecular Design teams at GSK. The role will also involve establishing external collaborations and representing the organisation externally in this field. To this end you will be a strong communicator and you will be able to work and drive positive collaborative interactions with your peers and encourage similar behaviours in your team.
Your background will include academic accomplishments in this field relating to understanding the role that B-cell subtypes play in human disease. This could be gained through a career in academia and/or expertise developed in industry. You will have had experience of leading a group of scientists to develop new disease understanding using state of the art cellular and molecular techniques and ideally have experience of driving therapeutic approaches in this area.
Key Responsibilities:
- Accountable for leading the B-cell research strategy in the Adaptive RU, liaising with the Adaptive Immunity Research Unit Leadership Team
- Accountable for the leadership of a team of experienced discovery scientists
- Co-ordinating the integration of immunophenotyping, genetic and genomic approaches to drive target discovery and validation initiatives relating to B-cell function.
- Responsible for supporting discovery programme progression from hit to lead, lead optimisation, through to candidate selection and Phase 1 clinical studies
- Liaising with external experts and collaborators
- Responsible for ensuring quality, consistency and best practice within line
- Accountable for scientific development and mentoring of scientists within line
- Fostering a culture of scientific rigour and continuous improvement in line with the Innovation Performance and Trust (IPT) strategy at GSK
- Ensuring compliance with GSK Values and Policies.
Basic Qualifications
- PhD in Immunology
- Experience in immunology in academia or industry
- Demonstrable track record of working on B-cell biology, disease mechanisms and/or targets
- Track record of managing complex technical, scientific and operational activities
- Track record of leading, developing and motivating teams in a matrix of reporting line
- Exhibits strong IPT behaviours and expectations
- Strong leadership skills demonstrating vision and strategy and effective leadership
- Proven ability to work routinely across boundaries and establish cross functional matrix groups
- Proven ability to coach/mentor, develop and performance manage staff
Preferred Qualifications
Extensive experience in immunology in academia or industry
- Experience of driving new therapeutic hypotheses in the field of B-cell function
- Experience of applying state of the art immunophenotyping, genetic and genomic approaches to understanding immune cell function
