Director, Chemical Biology, US

Director, US Site lead, Chemical Biology

At GSK, we have bold ambitions for patients, aiming to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade. Our R&D focuses on discovering and delivering vaccines and medicines, combining our understanding of the immune system with cutting-edge technology to transform people’s lives. GSK fosters a culture which is ambitious for patients, accountable for impact, and committed to doing the right thing, making sure that we focus our efforts on accelerating significant assets that meet patients’ needs and have the highest probability of success. We’re uniting science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together.

Position Summary

You will lead the chemical biology team in Upper Providence (UP) and will report directly to the global head of Chemical Biology. The Chemical Biology team is accountable for the identification and characterisation of tool molecules, which support target identification and validation in complex in vitro models and inform modality selection for early discovery programs.

We value clear scientific judgement, collaborative leadership, curiosity, and a focus on improving patient outcomes. This role offers growth, meaningful impact and the chance to shape strategy, deliver scientific platforms, and mentor a team. You will have accountability for a team of approximately 15 people whose skillsets span chemistry, chemical biology and molecular cell biology. You will create an inclusive environment where different perspectives are heard and valued, and balance scientific rigor with pace to deliver clear impact for patients.

Key Responsibilities

This role will provide YOU the opportunity to lead key activities to progress YOUR career, these responsibilities include the following:

• Develop and lead a high-performing chemical biology team at our UP site, foster a culture of collaboration and continuous learning and grow capabilities in line with global strategy.
• Work as part of the chemical biology global leadership team to set scientific strategies, establish prioritization and resource plans aligned to program goals and drive delivery of chemical biology capabilities to support discovery programs.
• Provide strong scientific leadership and be accountable for managing team execution, ensuring reproducible, well-controlled experiments with clear data interpretation.
• Collaborate effectively across functions, including in a project team setting, to translate biological understanding into robust target nominations.
• Communicate progress, risks and recommendations clearly to stakeholders and governance bodies and represent Chemical Biology in technical review meetings.
• Monitor technology development in the external environment and, where appropriate, bring technology into GSK or facilitate technology development in house.

Why you?

Basic Qualifications

We are seeking professionals with the following required skills and qualifications to help us achieve our goals:

• Advanced degree (PhD preferred) in chemical biology or related discipline, such as chemistry, biochemistry or molecular cell biology.

• At least 10 years of relevant industry experience in chemical biology, drug discovery or related research.
• Experience of project and people leadership including hiring, mentoring and developing talent.
• Experience with chemical probe development and target deconvolution.
• Experience of collaborating across scientific/technical disciplines and/or organizational divisions and influencing senior stakeholders and/or higher organizational strategy

• Track record of scientific publications or contributions to peer-reviewed literature.

Preferred Qualifications
If you have some of the following characteristics, it would be a plus:

• Experience of pharmacology and mechanistic biology, including but not limited to the study of covalent binders, degraders and antibody-drug conjugates.
• Excellent communication skills for developing/articulating scientific strategy, risk mitigation plans, and milestones which can be exemplified through presentations at stakeholder meetings.
• Experience of high-content biology approaches, such as imaging, proteomics/transcriptomics.
• Experience of target identification and/or validation.

Please visit GSK US Benefits Summary to learn more about the comprehensive benefits program GSK offers US employees.

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.

Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us at [email protected] where you can also request a call.

Please note should your inquiry not relate to adjustments, we will not be able to support you through these channels. However, we have created a Recruitment FAQ guide. Click the link where you will find answers to multiple questions we receive

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.

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