GlaxoSmithKline Hiring for RNA Biology Lead at Waltham, MA  Full Time

About the Role

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced RNA Biology Director to join our Vaccines R&D team. The successful candidate will lead strategies to answer scientific questions pertaining to mRNA vaccines mechanism of action and performance at the molecular, biochemical, cellular and tissue level to establish structure-activity information. The candidate will act as a liaison across research and technical development global teams within platform and research areas groups to advance platform and vaccine programs. In close partnership with cross-functional teams, the candidate will set strategies and sponsor cutting-edge technologies to characterize existing and novel RNA vaccines modalities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanistic profiling of RNA vaccines
• Provide scientific leadership to deploy a multiparametric approach for the evaluation of RNA vaccines modalities to identify relationships between structure, biological function and activity
• Provide scientific leadership and work cross-functionally to determine quality of immune responses upon RNA vaccine administration
• Have a thorough understanding of RNA delivery and translation with an emphasis on addressing endosomal escape, RNA stability, translation and innate sensing
• Setting strategy and delivering new solutions to improve non-clinical screening of RNA backbones and LNPs
• Lead a matrix team of multi-discipline experts including biology, immunology, safety assessment, computational sciences, clinical scientists, translational scientists, and others
• Set discovery strategy, objectives and priorities that are aligned with portfolio deliverables, and ensure timely program advancement
• Establish and/or key collaborations with internal and external partners
• Provide strong scientific leadership in RNA biology and collaborate with key internal stakeholders, including Vaccine Development Leads (VDLs), Discovery Project Leads (DPLs), R&D Leadership teams, Regulatory, Global Patents, Legal and Business Development Leaders, and external stakeholders
• Take a key role in preparation of internal documents and external patent applications, regulatory submissions, scientific papers, and other communications

Basic Qualifications

• Ph.D. in immunology, RNA biology, cell biology, or a scientific field
• 5+ years of experience in RNA vaccines/therapeutics discovery at pharmaceutical or biotech industry, with working knowledge of both scientific and non-scientific aspects
• 5+ years’ experience with characterization of RNA driven innate immune responses
• 5+ years’ experience in RNA biology and function, with proven experience in the RNA field
• 5+ years’ experience with cell biology and immunology
• 2+ years’ experience leading a matrix team, presenting research and strategy

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands on experience with the development and utilization of in vitro and cell-based assays to characterize mRNA expression and innate sensing
• Working knowledge of innate and adaptive immune responses to RNA vaccines

Why GSK?

We’re combining the power of genetic and genomic insights into what causes disease, with the speed and scale of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) to make better predictions about who a treatment might work for, and why. We believe this powerful combination of data and technology holds the key to fundamentally transforming medical discovery for the better, improving R&D success rates and shaping how even the most challenging diseases, like neurological conditions and cancer, can be both prevented and treated.

In 2021 we delivered four major product approvals: Cabenuva for HIV, Jemperli for endometrial cancer, Xevudy for COVID-19 and Apretude, our new long-acting medicine for HIV prevention.

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Why Us?

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 organization where people can thrive. Getting ahead means preventing disease as well as treating it, and we aim to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of 2030.

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 workplace where everyone can feel a sense of belonging and thrive as set out in our Equal and Inclusive Treatment of Employees policy. We’re committed to being more proactive at all levels so that our workforce reflects the communities we work and hire in, and our GSK leadership reflects our GSK workforce.

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