Antibody Engineering Team Leader

Biopharm Discovery is a department dedicated to the discovery of novel and effective biopharmaceutical medicines. This department comprises several complementary functions focused on the progression of a portfolio of biopharmaceuticals from initial antibody discovery, expression and characterisation, to molecular engineering and biological and physiochemical profiling. 

Within Biopharm Discovery, the Molecular Design and Engineering (MDE) group takes accountability for the engineering and development of single and multi-specific antibodies with enhanced functionalities as well as developability profiling prior to candidate selection, to transform leads into enhanced potential therapeutics.

An opportunity has arisen for an Antibody Engineering Team Leader to lead a group responsible for all aspects of antibody engineering including molecular biology, protein design to improve molecule quality and bespoke engineering.  This includes engineering across a range of developability criteria, including chemical and physical stability, immunogenicity, bioavailability etc. They will work closely with other groups including Bioinformatics in applying rational design approaches to continuously improve molecule quality prior to candidate selection, and to build capabilities that will bring novel automated workflows to our processes.

The Antibody Engineering Team Leader will report to the Head of Biopharm Molecular Design and Engineering and be an integral member of the MDE Leadership Team. They will be expected to play a role in developing and executing the strategy of the unit and translating this into key deliverables and capability development initiatives for the group. They will lead and inspire a high-performing team of 5-6 people that actively engages across the organization and has the necessary capabilities and capacity to deliver the pipeline.

Key Responsibilities:

• Demonstration of strong scientific leadership in antibody engineering
• Accountability for plasmid generation, antibody humanisations and bespoke engineering within the MDE group
• Building capability around antibody protein design and engineering
• Maintaining strong relationships with other groups in Biopharm Discovery and Development
• Jointly accountable as member of the MDE leadership team for delivering the portfolio and developing and executing the strategy of the group
• Inspiring and motivating a team of 5-6 scientists; supporting and identifying development opportunities to allow individuals to realise their full potential

Closing Date for Applications: 16th November 2022 (COB)

During the course of your application, you will be requested to complete voluntary information which will be used in monitoring the effectiveness of our equality and diversity policies. Your information will be treated as confidential and will not be used in any part of the selection process.  If you require a reasonable adjustment to the application / selection process to enable you to demonstrate your ability to perform the job requirements, please contact 0808 234 234 4391. This will help us to understand any modifications we may need to make to support you throughout our selection process.

*LI-GSK

Why you?

Basic Qualifications & Experience:

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

• PhD or equivalent and extensive experience in antibody engineering, molecular biology, structural biology or related discipline
• Highly experienced scientist with a deep understanding of molecular design, developability criteria, and antibody sequence/structure-function relationships
• Demonstrated understanding of the antibody discovery process and critical quality attributes of biopharmaceuticals
• Experience of working with and prioritising a portfolio of activities
• Excellent track record of critiquing scientific data with the ability to identify and resolve challenging scientific questions
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams with excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

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

• Demonstrated line/matrix leadership skills
• Experience in structural biology
• Passion for the application of automation and/or data solutions to molecular biology/design processes

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. Getting ahead means preventing disease as well as treating it, and we aim to impact the health of 2.5 billion people around the world in the next 10 years.

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.

Find out more: 

Annual Report 2021