Exosome DNA/Protein Specialist

Site Name: UK - Hertfordshire - Stevenage

Posted Date: Apr 4 2023

Exosome DNA / Protein Specialist

We are seeking for a highly motivated scientist with experience in extracellular vesicles (i.e. exosome) isolation and characterization to join the Digital Biology Twin (DBT) lab in GSK. DBT has been newly set up in order to help clinical development for further pipelines and to contribute to preclinical development programmes within GSK. The successful candidate will work as part of a team that, exploiting patient-derived organoids, is developing and implementing cutting-edge cellular, genomic and molecular techniques with a multimodality analytic approach, plus machine learning models to improve cancer patient risk stratification as well as to predict future targeted and/or immuno-therapy susceptibilities.

These positions within the Digital Biological Twin (DBT) laboratory in GSK are created to assist clinical development of drug pipelines and to contribute to preclinical development programmes within GSK. Exploiting patient-derived organoids, the DBT lab will apply a multimodality analytic approach, plus machine learning models which are coupled with paired patient-derived data feedback, to provide mechanistic markers/novel pharmacodynamic readout, improve cancer patient risk stratification as well as to predict future targeted and/or immuno-therapy susceptibilities. The DBT lab is part of a new Unit (DBT) which has existing functional and strategic linkages with the other units on common Oncology related projects e.g. AI/ML, EMU, Genomic Science (GS), Clinical Imaging (CPEM) and Bio-imaging (IVIVT), etc.

Join our challenge to get ahead of disease together

In this role, you will also ensure synergy and collaboration between this new unit and KCL scientists within the GSK-King's College London (KCL) Translational Oncology Research Hub ), an exclusive research collaboration between GSK and the Comprehensive Cancer Centre at KCL.

In addition, you will interact with experts in other subject areas e.g. AI/ML, EMU, Development (e.g. Oncology team EDL & MDL), various Oncology-relevant Research Units (RU), functional genomics (FxG), proteomics, Clinical Imaging, etc., working together towards improving patient stratification of clinical treatments using GSK assets, alone or in combination with standard of care treatment.

In this role you will

• Setting up cell protocols for exosomes isolation and characterization from patient-derived organoids and immune cells
• Purify exosomes from the cell culture medium using ultracentrifugation or related method, and related process development and optimization
• Developing protocols and conducting experiments for analysis of RNA, DNA length and DNA preparation for sequencing
• Developing protocols and conducting experiments for analysis of proteins isolated from exosomes (dot-blot, flow cytometry assay, proteomics including mass spectrometry, Reverse-phase protein array (RPPA))
• Collecting and reporting data to the lab head.
• Interacting with and managing the other (more junior) team members to define the panel of multimodality (DNA/RNA/Protein) markers to be evaluated, in accordance with the mechanisms of action.
• Executing and delivering data of the project
• Solving technical issues operate as part of a cross-functional project team
• Collaborating with KCL scientists within the GSK-KCL Translational Oncology Research Hub, an exclusive research collaboration between GSK and the Comprehensive Cancer Centre at KCL.

Why you?

Qualifications & Skills:

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

• PhD in Biology, Oncology, Biosciences, Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology or related
• A multidisciplinary mix of training/expertise in cellular biology, oncology as well as integrative data analysis.
• Significant experience in extracellular vesicles and in particular exosomes characterization.
• Cellular Biology skills: extracellular vesicle isolation and characterization; cultures of normal and tumour cells from primary samples or immortalized cell lines.
• Molecular biology skills: nucleic acid extraction; in vitro cell assay (western blot, MTT, cell titre glow, protein quantification); sequencing (gene and/or protein) related to extracellular vesicles.
• Experience with Extracellular Vesicles research
• A strong track record of scientific Publications in the relevant area
• Ability to communicate with team members from different backgrounds by training/discipline, as well as senior members of the GSK stakeholders/research partner units
• Ability to deliver high quality, consistent results in a timely fashion with a positive can-do and result oriented attitude
• Prior experience of managing or supervising (more) junior members in a laboratory

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

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

• Experience of flow cytometry
• Experience in collaboration with biopharma

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 2022

Closing Date for Applications: Tuesday 18th April 2023 (COB)

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#LI-GSK

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 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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