Lab Head, RNA and Vector Biology

GSK Vaccines - Lab Head, RNA and Vector 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. R&D is committed to discovering and delivering transformational vaccines and medicines to prevent and change the course of disease.

We believe the Greater Boston area is an important hub for the biotech and pharma industry, which is why we've invested in growing our footprint and expanding our R&D space in Cambridge, with a primary focus on additional state-of-the-art lab space. Here, we will bring together talent and expertise, building upon GSK's long history of vaccine development, to create globally leading viral capabilities and cutting-edge vaccines technologies, as we add to our robust portfolio targeting infectious diseases at every stage of life.

In the plan to create a new hub for mRNA-based vaccine discovery in Cambridge, we are building new laboratories that will be focused on the development of state-of-the-art methods that will be supporting deep product understanding, process, and product development, as well as testing of pre-clinical and clinical samples for new mRNA-based vaccines.

The RNA & Vector Biology group at the US Research and Development Center, GSK Vaccines, is seeking a highly motivated and visionary leader to spearhead efforts in designing, producing, and characterizing mRNA vaccine candidates. This team is at the forefront of understanding RNA biology, biochemistry, and RNA/protein interactions, playing a crucial role in advancing GSK's mRNA technology platform and supporting GSK Vaccines projects in preclinical and discovery phases.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide expertise in RNA biology and biochemistry to direct the selection of novel mRNA vaccine designs and platforms.
• Lead a diverse team of molecular biologists to apply engineering principles to RNA sequence elements, including chemistry, structure, localization, translation, degradation, and processing.

• Develop and refine experimental protocols, utilizing cutting-edge molecular biology and biochemistry techniques to innovate and characterize new mRNA modalities, advancing preclinical development of mRNA-based vaccine platforms.
• Employ state-of-the-art DNA cloning, in vitro RNA transcription, and cell-based assays for the generation and evaluation of RNA vaccines.
• Regularly assess external advances in mRNA medicines, integrating novel capabilities at GSK as the field evolves.
• Provide inspiring leadership with an enterprise mindset, fostering professional development and qualifications among staff.
• Ensure the team utilizes cutting-edge technologies to provide top-tier preclinical expertise for GSK vaccine projects, from discovery through lifecycle management.
• Align team objectives with R&D and business priorities, ensuring activities are structured and delivered according to project needs.
• Take full accountability for managing team tasks, meeting data integrity and quality standards, and innovating technology in the lab for enhanced data quality and resource utilization.
• Engage in strong scientific leadership to facilitate collaboration with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Participate in intellectual property and regulatory filings and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals.
• Supervise a team of 5-10 scientists, including PhD students and postdoctoral fellows where necessary.
• Oversee lab management, ensuring compliance with GSK's Environment, Health, and Safety standards as a fundamental aspect of operations and culture.

Basic Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology or a related field with a minimum of 5 years of experience.
• Five or more years of experience in RNA design, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, high-throughput technologies, and screening.
• Two or more years of experience in leading a team of RNA scientists and building collaborations within a matrix organization.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a pharmaceutical research environment developing nucleic acid therapeutics.
• Familiarity with bioinformatics tools and computational biology approaches for RNA design.
• Prior experience with high-throughput cloning, RNA synthesis, and cell-based screening platforms.
• Deep domain expertise in eukaryotic post-transcriptional gene expression.
• Strong track record of scientific publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
• Fluency in English, both spoken and written.

#Vx-Cam

#Li-GSK

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 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.

If you require an accommodation or other assistance to apply for a job at GSK, please contact the GSK Service Centre at 1-877-694-7547 (US Toll Free) or +1 801 567 5155 (outside US).

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.

Important notice to Employment businesses/ Agencies

GSK does not accept referrals from employment businesses and/or employment agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site. All employment businesses/agencies are required to contact GSK's commercial and general procurement/human resources department to obtain prior written authorization before referring any candidates to GSK. The obtaining of prior written authorization is a condition precedent to any agreement (verbal or written) between the employment business/ agency and GSK. In the absence of such written authorization being obtained any actions undertaken by the employment business/agency shall be deemed to have been performed without the consent or contractual agreement of GSK. GSK shall therefore not be liable for any fees arising from such actions or any fees arising from any referrals by employment businesses/agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site.

Please note that if you are a US Licensed Healthcare Professional or Healthcare Professional as defined by the laws of the state issuing your license, GSK may be required to capture and report expenses GSK incurs, on your behalf, in the event you are afforded an interview for employment. This capture of applicable transfers of value is necessary to ensure GSK's compliance to all federal and state US Transparency requirements. For more information, please visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website at https://openpaymentsdata.cms.gov/