Associate Director, Human Samples and Data Access

JOB PURPOSE

The Respiratory and Immunology Translational Unit (RITU) at GSK applies cell atlassing and multi-modal capabilities to bolster human translational confidence for the Biology Research Unit (RIRU). Our efforts focus on discovering biomarkers, identifying additional indications and combinations, and facilitating patient stratification.

Reporting to the Director for Human Samples and Data Access in RITU, the Associate Director will be instrumental in implementing the human sample and data access strategy. This role involves collaborating across the full RIRU and GSK matrix environment, including Human Genetics and Genomics (HGG). The Associate Director will identify, acquire and manage human-derived samples and foundational /translational data. Their responsibilities will include evaluating novel partners, techniques, and technologies, and ensuring sample and data use meets our scientific requirements, ultimately enhancing the probability of success across the portfolio.

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

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Translational Leadership: Provide leadership and guidance to disease and project teams, and other key stakeholders of RITU, enabling the development, execution and evaluation of the human sample and data access strategy to support the discovery and development of novel differentiated therapeutics.
• Translational Innovation: Working across the matrix environment, evaluate novel techniques and technologies to inform the human sample and data access strategy.
• Sample and Data Sourcing: Identify, evaluate and secure sources of human-derived samples and foundational/translational data (e.g. transcriptomics) relevant to RIRU disease areas including respiratory, hepatology and neurology.
• External Partnerships: Establish and maintain relationships with external partners such as academic institutions and contract research organizations (CROs) for sample and data acquisition.
• Stakeholder Management: Stay updated with repositories for samples and data in areas of RIRU interest through close interactions with project and disease area teams as well as HBSM central.
• HBSM life cycle management: Working with GSK partner organisations, coordinate the acquisition, shipping, receipt, and storage of human-derived samples ensuring integrity and traceability in accordance with established protocols and procedures.
• Compliance and Documentation: Ensure compliance with relevant protocols, standard operating procedures and regulatory requirements related to sample and data management. Identify and address ethical, legal or compliance considerations related to sample and data acquisition and use.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, & EXPERIENCE:

• Experience in sourcing, acquiring, and using human samples and translational data.
• Extensive post-Ph.D./Masters experience in bioscience research, with some lab experience.
• Experience leading, contracting and managing external collaborations and third-party vendors.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage projects to meet timelines while maintaining attention to detail and high-performance standards.
• Strategic thinking and ability to work effectively in a matrixed environment while managing competing initiatives simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex scientific concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences in a balanced, clear and precise manner.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, & EXPERIENCE:

• Ph.D. in biology, genetics, genomics or related discipline.
• Knowledge of ethical and regulatory requirements when working with human samples.
• Basic understanding of drug discovery and development.
• Specialist knowledge in at least one of the following disease areas: respiratory, immunology, hepatology.
• Knowledge and experience of emerging technologies such as single cell imaging, spatial transcriptomics or genomics.

Closing Date for Applications – 8th December 2024 (COB)

Please take a copy of the Job Description, as this will not be available post closure of the advert.
When applying for this role, please use the ‘cover letter’ of the online application or your CV to describe how you meet the competencies for this role, as outlined in the job requirements above. The information that you have provided in your cover letter and CV will be used to assess your application.

At GSK, we have bold ambitions for patients, aiming to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people over the next 10 years. R&D is committed to discovering and delivering transformational vaccines and medicines to prevent and change the course of disease. Science and technology are coming together in a way they never have before, and we have strong tech-enabled capabilities that allow us to build a deeper understanding of the patient, human biology and disease mechanisms, and transform medical discovery. We are revolutionising the way we do R&D. We’re uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

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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).

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