Job Description

The Preclinical R&D department, including the Immunology group, works in a matrix environment to support Project Teams developing a rich pipeline of new vaccine assets that meet important medical needs. In addition, Preclinical R&D is at the forefront of vaccine discovery, by using and establishing state of the art technological capabilities.

Within Preclinical R&D, the Function Head, Immunology, will provide leadership, direction and vision to a multidisciplinary team of highly skilled scientists and technicians deciphering immune responses linked to vaccination. The candidate is expected to demonstrate significant expertise in disciplines that underpin modern vaccine development, including but not limited to:

Analysis of cell-mediated immunity (innate and adaptive)
Serological assays for measurement of antibody responses (binding and functional antibodies, systems serology), cytokines and other analytes
Cell-based assays
High parametric flow cytometry
Assay development and qualification
In vivo studies

The Function Head, Immunology, will guide the team on the development of experimental designs and analysis/interpretation of the results. In addition, he/she will be accountable for overseeing the preparation and review of relevant documents related to discovery and development (e.g., study and assay reports, regulatory documents, scientific publication, and others).

In the scope of work, he/she will be responsible for creating and maintaining a network of collaborations with world-class scientists who will bring cutting-edge technology and ideas to bear on difficult vaccine development problems, thereby attracting external funding, and accelerating the availability of important new vaccine solutions.

Additionally, this individual will lead and engage in productive cross-functional relationships with various teams within the organization such as the corresponding teams in the other R&D centers, Discovery and Development teams, Clinical teams, Regulatory platforms, Business Development and Global Patents.

Ensure timely delivery of high quality pre-clinical immunology data for Vaccines discovery and development teams, regulatory files, global patents, governing bodies and peer reviewed scientific journals.
Ensure high scientific & ethical standards throughout the unit, remain abreast of latest development and state of the art in own area of expertise to deliver best preclinical data packages to projects, according to project/R&D priorities.
Provide effective and inspiring leadership of the Immunology teams, ensure support to professional development and qualification of staff, while reinforcing wellbeing within the organization.
Act as leader and mentor, providing positive and constructive feedbacks to team members. Ability to handle difficult situations and seek resolution.
Plan and ensure appropriate internal and external resource allocation and prioritization to projects, according to GSK strategy.
Strong scientific leadership to ensure interface with key scientific internal and external stakeholders or interactions with external partner in the context of outsourcing of activities.
Foster collaboration with other Preclinical R&D members, as well as those from other partnering GSK departments, through sharing of knowledge, expertise and best practices.
Provide expert supports to filing of patents and submission of manuscripts to peer reviewed journals.

Foster identification and leveraging of external (funding or scientific) opportunities allowing to support and accelerate preclinical discovery and development of new vaccines.

Why you?

Basic Qualifications:

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

Ph.D. degree in life sciences, MD or DVM with scientific track record and 5-year experience in Vaccine industry

Preferred Qualifications:

If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus:

Advanced training (e.g., post-doc) in infectious diseases (virology, bacteriology, parasitology) and 10-year experience in Vaccine industry

Management skills and leadership qualities are an essential requirement, including strategic vision, integrity, flexibility and innovative/creative approach to problem solving

Cellular immunology, assay development, ligand binding assays, functional assays, cell-based assays, animal models, flow cytometry

Lead simultaneously research and development projects within the area of expertise.

Experience in managing scientific teams with multiple hierarchical levels.

Lead projects and implement strategies at high level within a complex matrix organization.

Track record in assay validation and qualification, and establishment of animal models.

Results-oriented work ethic, “can-do” and continuous improvement attitude

Decision making ability, and ability to convincingly communicate the strategy, recommendations and decisions within the respective area, to Governing Bodies and to Senior Management. Must be able to clearly articulate the strategy and rationale to the staff within own unit.

Create a work environment that attracts and retains the best people and delivers outstanding performance

Must foster a large, complex, yet efficient network across a global multi-cultural organization and demonstrate highly developed management and strategic influencing skills.

Expected to deliver accurate and credible scientific communication outside GSK, requiring a solid scientific reputation and a comprehensive network outside the organization.

Outside communication includes scientific peer reviewed publications, conference presentations and contacts with other stakeholders including media

Basic statistics training; fluent in English