Scientific Investigator
We are seeking a highly motivated Scientific Investigator to work on new treatments to address the threat of infectious diseases by joining our growing Infectious Diseases Research Unit (IDRU). The IDRU is one of the Research Units within GSK’s R&D organisation and is responsible for the discovery of novel approaches and targets to treat human infectious diseases and progressing them to early clinical development studies. The Research Unit has an impactful portfolio of projects in Hepatitis B, bacterial infections and viral respiratory infections (including COVID-19), as well as collaborations with Vir Biotechnology and 23andMe.
In this lab-based position, you will conceive, plan and conduct research to identify and validate new host therapeutic targets for the treatment of infections. You will work in a multidisciplinary, collaborative, and scientifically driven environment, interacting with scientists across the Research Unit and the broader R&D organization. Your demonstrated expertise in experimental biology, coupled with an understanding of infectious diseases, will enable you to progress innovative host targets and research projects in this area.
You will be expected to interact productively and in an enterprise fashion with teams across the Research Unit as well as with other GSK functions like Genomic Sciences, Discovery Medicine and Medicine Design and our external alliance partners. To this end, you will need to be a strong communicator and able to work and drive positive collaborative interactions with your peers.
This role will provide YOU the opportunity to lead key activities to progress YOUR career, these responsibilities include some of the following…
- Designing and executing biological studies to evaluate novel human targets for infectious diseases and to discover new therapeutics for the treatment or prevention of infection.
- Recording and analysing experimental data and communicating results to key stakeholders to enable Go / No Go decision-making.
- Developing and validating assays and implementing new technologies to enable target validation and discovery research, as well as to expand the technical capabilities of the Research Unit.
- Developing the company’s intellectual property portfolio by assisting with the preparation and filing of patent applications.
- Engaging the external community by participating in scientific conferences and publishing papers.
- Collaborating with academic partners and contract research organizations to accelerate the discovery and development of new medicines.
- Ensuring quality and compliance with GSK values and policies.
- Building a culture of scientific rigour and continuous improvement in line with the Innovation Performance and Trust (IPT) strategy at GSK.
Why you?
Basic Qualifications:
We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:
- Ph.D. in a relevant discipline with 3+ years of postdoctoral research experience, or a Master’s degree with 6+ years of research experience in an academic or industry laboratory.
- Experience in mammalian cell culture and cell-based assays.
- Experience in target validation techniques such as functional genomics (e.g., CRISPR, siRNA), expression analysis (e.g., qPCR, Western), and phenotypic profiling (ELISA, MSD, bioimaging).
- Experience in handling pathogenic microorganisms, preferably bacteria or viruses.
Preferred Qualifications:
If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus:
- Ph.D. in Microbiology, Immunology, or a related subject with at least three years of relevant postdoctoral research experience.
- Track-record of peer-reviewed publications, scientific conference presentations or patents.
- R&D experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
- Prior experience in drug target identification and validation.
- Expertise in experimental models of infection (preferably bacterial or viral).
- New assay development and validation experience.
- Experience of researching host targets for infectious diseases or the host response to infection.
- Strong self-motivation, capable of multi-tasking but with attention to detail, and delivering objectives on time and to budget.
- Ability independently to design and prosecute experiments, interpret data, and report results.
- Experience of implementing new scientific approaches, innovative technologies, and experimental techniques.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, and a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams.
Why GSK?
At GSK, we have already delivered unprecedented change over the past four years, improving R&D, becoming a leader in Consumer Health, strengthening our leadership, and transforming our commercial execution. Now, we’re making the biggest changes we’ve made to our business in over 20 years. We’re on track to separate and create two new companies in 2022: New GSK with a leading portfolio of vaccines and specialty medicines as well as R&D based on immune system and genetics science;and a new world-leading consumer healthcare company of loved and trusted brands.
With new ambition comes new purpose. For New GSK, this is to unite science, talent and technology to get ahead of disease together– all with the clear ambition of delivering human health impact; stronger and more sustainable shareholder returns; and as a new GSK where outstanding people thrive.
Getting ahead means preventing disease as well as treating it. How we do all this is through our people and our culture. A culture that is ambitious for patients – so we deliver what matters better and faster; accountable for impact – with clear ownership of goals and support to succeed; and where we do the right thing. So, if you’re ready to improve the lives of billions, join us at this exciting moment in our journey. Join our challenge to get Ahead Together.
*LI-GSK