Director Translational Science Lead Respiratory
GlaxoSmithKline, Durham, NC, United States
Director, Translational Science Lead - Respiratory
R&D Translational Sciences, part of the newly formed Translational & Developmental Sciences (TDS), is accountable for end‑to‑end disease area translational science to inform therapy area and program level biomarker strategies (from preclinical to launch) to increase the probability of success from preclinical to clinical transitions and enable earlier and higher confidence asset related decisions. This includes generation of foundational data as well as disease biomarker development and validation that allow timely deployment of tools/biomarkers to support Proof of Mechanism, signs of clinical efficacy, Proof of Concept, and pairing Mechanisms of Action with patient subtypes to predict responder populations. We are looking for a dynamic individual to excel in the following responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities Disease Biomarker Strategy Development and Delivery
Partner with the Clinical Teams, R&D Technologies and the RIIRU Early Pipeline Unit to identify, establish 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, their deployment into clinical studies and interpretation of data/results.
Translational Leadership
Provide strategic leadership contributing to deep understanding of disease areas enabling the development and execution of translational research disease strategies to support the discovery and development of novel differentiated therapeutics including evaluation and diligence of business development opportunities.
Translational Innovation
Evaluate novel techniques and technologies (i.e. spatial transcriptomics) to inform translational initiatives, biomarker development and validation working in collaboration with platform teams and within a multi‑functional matrix environment.
Identify and guide validation of human assays (cells, tissues and organs) to enhance human translation and predictive value through the application of resources such as the Human Cell Atlas, disease tissue multi‑omics data and genetic resources (external or proprietary).
Cross‑functional Collaboration
Collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams including the Translational Disease Teams, 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.
External Partnerships
Establish and maintain strategic collaborations with academic institutions, contract research organisations (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.
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 R&D Translational Science objectives.
Represent Translational Science at portfolio governance reviews providing critical input to pipeline and investment decision making.
Basic Qualifications
Ph.D. in a Scientific / Life Science discipline (e.g., Cell/Molecular Biology, Genetics, Pharmacology, Physical Chemistry or related field).
Extensive experience in translational science and biomarker development ideally within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
Recognised translational/biomarker expert in the scientific community through publications and contributions to the field.
Experience of translation and biomarker implementation in Respiratory indications.
Experience of working in a clinical trial setting, working as part of a clinical study and experience of authoring and oversight of clinical and regulatory documents.
Experience / working knowledge of regulatory requirements, industry standards, best practices and compliance considerations in Translational Research and biomarker development and validation.
Experience in technologies and methods used in translational research.
Proven track record of programme decision making through implementing biomarker strategies and delivering translational science insights in support of drug progression through clinical transition milestones.
Experience leading/managing external collaborations and evaluation of business development opportunities.
Experienced matrix leader with the ability to create psychological safety, inspire and motivate a team towards achieving common goals.
Preferred Qualifications
Awareness of bioinformatic / computational methods supporting integrated analysis and interpretation of translational and biomarker‑related data sets.
Strong management skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple objectives to meet timelines while maintaining attention to detail and high‑performance standards.
Experience adapting to fast‑paced and evolving research environments, with strong problem‑solving and critical‑thinking skills.
Work Location: This role is based in the United Kingdom or the United States and offers a hybrid working model, combining on‑site and remote work flexibility.
Salary: If you are based in Cambridge, MA; Waltham, MA; Rockville, MD; or San Francisco, CA, the annual base salary for new hires in this position ranges $189,750 to $316,250. Salary ranges take into account work location within the US market, the candidate’s skills, experience, education level and market rate for the role.
Benefits include health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave. The position also offers an annual bonus and eligibility to participate in a share‑based long‑term incentive program.
GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, 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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Key Responsibilities Disease Biomarker Strategy Development and Delivery
Partner with the Clinical Teams, R&D Technologies and the RIIRU Early Pipeline Unit to identify, establish 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, their deployment into clinical studies and interpretation of data/results.
Translational Leadership
Provide strategic leadership contributing to deep understanding of disease areas enabling the development and execution of translational research disease strategies to support the discovery and development of novel differentiated therapeutics including evaluation and diligence of business development opportunities.
Translational Innovation
Evaluate novel techniques and technologies (i.e. spatial transcriptomics) to inform translational initiatives, biomarker development and validation working in collaboration with platform teams and within a multi‑functional matrix environment.
Identify and guide validation of human assays (cells, tissues and organs) to enhance human translation and predictive value through the application of resources such as the Human Cell Atlas, disease tissue multi‑omics data and genetic resources (external or proprietary).
Cross‑functional Collaboration
Collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams including the Translational Disease Teams, 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.
External Partnerships
Establish and maintain strategic collaborations with academic institutions, contract research organisations (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.
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 R&D Translational Science objectives.
Represent Translational Science at portfolio governance reviews providing critical input to pipeline and investment decision making.
Basic Qualifications
Ph.D. in a Scientific / Life Science discipline (e.g., Cell/Molecular Biology, Genetics, Pharmacology, Physical Chemistry or related field).
Extensive experience in translational science and biomarker development ideally within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
Recognised translational/biomarker expert in the scientific community through publications and contributions to the field.
Experience of translation and biomarker implementation in Respiratory indications.
Experience of working in a clinical trial setting, working as part of a clinical study and experience of authoring and oversight of clinical and regulatory documents.
Experience / working knowledge of regulatory requirements, industry standards, best practices and compliance considerations in Translational Research and biomarker development and validation.
Experience in technologies and methods used in translational research.
Proven track record of programme decision making through implementing biomarker strategies and delivering translational science insights in support of drug progression through clinical transition milestones.
Experience leading/managing external collaborations and evaluation of business development opportunities.
Experienced matrix leader with the ability to create psychological safety, inspire and motivate a team towards achieving common goals.
Preferred Qualifications
Awareness of bioinformatic / computational methods supporting integrated analysis and interpretation of translational and biomarker‑related data sets.
Strong management skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple objectives to meet timelines while maintaining attention to detail and high‑performance standards.
Experience adapting to fast‑paced and evolving research environments, with strong problem‑solving and critical‑thinking skills.
Work Location: This role is based in the United Kingdom or the United States and offers a hybrid working model, combining on‑site and remote work flexibility.
Salary: If you are based in Cambridge, MA; Waltham, MA; Rockville, MD; or San Francisco, CA, the annual base salary for new hires in this position ranges $189,750 to $316,250. Salary ranges take into account work location within the US market, the candidate’s skills, experience, education level and market rate for the role.
Benefits include health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave. The position also offers an annual bonus and eligibility to participate in a share‑based long‑term incentive program.
GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, 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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