Director, Translational Lead (Haematology/Oncology)

We are seeking a highly motivated scientist with experience in haematology to join the Oncology Translational Research team in GSK Oncology. The successful candidate will work as part of a broad team that applies translational model systems through both internal and external partnerships to enable cancer patient risk stratification, identify biomarkers and predict future targeted and/or immuno-therapy susceptibilities.

Key responsibilities:

• Leveraging deep expertise of the haematology field and clinical landscape, represent Oncology Translational Research by acting as a haematology translational leader in cross-functional (global) matrix teams.

• Independently create translational research plans, implemented/delivered through both matrix and line leadership, to enable deep profiling of patient samples in order to address key asset team questions around mechanism, resistance and combination opportunities.

• Engage with external HCPs/Investigators in UK, Europe and USA through translational alliances to design and lead efforts for deep profiling of existing clinical cohorts/biobank material that will generate insights to guide future clinical studies.

• Act as a translational advisor to pre-clinical project teams to enable early biomarker discovery/evaluation, support indication selection and identify pathways for differentiation vs competitive landscape.

• Lead the external and internal technology evaluation of novel ex vivo haematology models to address key mechanistic questions aligned with the asset(s) you are supporting. Take responsibility for study design, validation and experimental implementation of the selected approaches.

• This role requires strong leadership skills along with deep translational research expertise as it is expected that the person will have decision making accountability for defining what translational work is conducted on the projects/alliances to which they are assigned, as well as the ability to communicate these translational plans in a clear, confident and succinct manner to cross functional matrix teams.

• Whilst the intention is for this role to be aligned with our haematology activities, you may also be asked to support translational activities in the solid tumor space.

• Demonstrate exceptional interpersonal skills to build relationships with internal Oncology Translational Research teams and with cross-functional partners in disciplines (such as AI/ML, Precision Medicine, Oncology Project Leaders, Oncology Biology Units and Oncology Clinical Development etc.) to lead the conduct of translational studies and improve mechanistic understanding of our haematology assets.

• Must be able to manage multiple projects and workstreams, including assessment of workload and resourcing requirements to deliver the team’s objectives.

• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the clinical landscape of the haematology indications you are representing as a translational leader.

• Report to and partner with the Executive Director to deliver the strategy for the patient derived explant team. Manage a small lab team to deliver critical experimental work, including complex co-culture optimization, for these translational activities.

Why you?

Basic Qualifications:

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

• PhD or equivalent in oncology/immunology/haematology with significant experience of oncology/haematology research.
• Experience of leading translational research in a matrix team environment.
• Experienced matrix leader, with prior exposure to industry drug discovery and clinical development teams.
• Prior demonstration of having cross functional knowledge of cancer biomarker discovery.
• Extensive experience in the use of non-clinical translational experimental approaches to address key mechanistic questions with an ability to lead and manage a team to deliver on these activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

• Demonstrates flexibility and ability to work well with ambiguity and in intense situations.
• Proactive, ‘can-do’ mindset that bridges ideas to realizable and deliverable solutions to solve problems.
• As you may be asked to contribute to regulatory documents, the candidate will need to be highly organised with good attention to detail.
• Strong influencing, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Sense of urgency, flexibility, integrity and accountability.

Interested in Joining the Team?

Please apply via our online portal providing your CV and Cover Letter.

(Please take a personal copy of the Job Description, as this will not be available online post closure of the advert)

Closing Date: COP 27th September 2024

We create a place where people can grow, be their best, be safe, and feel welcome, valued and included. We offer a competitive salary, an annual bonus based on company performance, healthcare and wellbeing programmes, pension plan membership, and shares and savings programme.

We embrace modern work practises; our Performance with Choice programme offers a hybrid working model, empowering you to find the optimal balance between remote and in-office work.

Discover more about our company wide benefits and life at GSK on our webpage Life at GSK | GSK

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Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

GSK is a global biopharma company with a special purpose – to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together – so we can positively impact the health of billions of people and deliver stronger, more sustainable shareholder returns – as an organisation where people can thrive. We prevent and treat disease with vaccines, specialty and general medicines. We focus on the science of the immune system and the use of new platform and data technologies, investing in four core therapeutic areas (infectious diseases, HIV, respiratory/ immunology and oncology).

Our success absolutely depends on our people. While getting ahead of disease together is about our ambition for patients and shareholders, it’s also about making GSK a place where people can thrive. We want GSK to be a place where people feel inspired, encouraged and challenged to be the best they can be. A place where they can be themselves – feeling welcome, valued, and included. Where they can keep growing and look after their wellbeing. So, if you share our ambition, join us at this exciting moment in our journey to get Ahead Together.

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