Principal Scientist

Principle Scientist

This is a site-based role at Stevenage.

We are looking for a highly motivated, flexible and experienced scientist to join the Cellular Biomarkers Flow Cytometry team within Biomarker & Bioanalytical Platforms in the Precision Medicine department located in Stevenage, UK.

The team is responsible for the development and validation of complex multi-parameter flow cytometry panels and subsequent application of these panels to clinical trial sample analysis. The deep immunophenotyping data generated by these biomarker panels helps us to evaluate disease heterogeneity, drug-target engagement, drug mechanism of action and patient responses.

The successful candidate will have a deep understanding of immunology and will act as a flow cytometry technical expert, supporting high parameter deep immunophenotyping of immune cell subsets as well as receptor occupancy endpoints. This is a lab-based role and will include all aspects of flow cytometry method development and optimization, validation and sample analysis for clinical studies across the entire GSK portfolio.

This role will be responsible for completion of all aspects of assay workflow including reagent selection, sample preparation, sample acquisition, data analysis, interpretation and presentation. In addition, this role will ensure all work is conducted in compliance with GCP regulations including adherence to the appropriate SOPs.

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

In this role you will:

Generate high quality data to support clinical studies by spectral flow cytometry (Cytek Aurora) Conduct and oversee all aspects of method development, troubleshooting, validation and sample analysis for clinical studies. Handle human biological samples and perform experimental work in accordance with GCP regulations, safety assessments and data integrity guidelines. Deliver, interpret and communicate complex scientific data to project/program teams within agreed timelines whilst managing multiple projects concurrently. Help lead efforts to investigate novel cytometry and data analysis platforms and embed them within the organisation. Function well in a team and possess a good balance of creative and analytical skills. Be willing to develop and train others as required.

Qualifications & Skills:

We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals: This role requires a PhD in Immunology or a related field with some post-PhD experience in immunology, cell biology, biomedical science, or related disciplines. Or strong experience in Industry in a similar field having gained an undergraduate degree in one of the disciplines named above.

Strong immunological knowledge enabling phenotyping of multiple cell lineages with in-depth theoretical and practical understanding of flow cytometry (experience in design and execution of 14+ colour flow cytometry panels) Strong laboratory experience and expertise working with a variety of sample types including whole blood, PBMC and single-cell tissue suspensions which may be infected with blood borne pathogens such as HBV. Considerable experience in the use of flow cytometry analysis software (OMIQ preferred) with good attention to detail, excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to maintain a disciplined approach, ensuring a relentless focus on quality, compliance, and operational excellence even when flexing between multiple projects. Be a highly motivated team player with the ability to interact effectively within a multi-disciplinary team but also the confidence to work independently to tight deadlines. Good judgment and decision making, especially for prioritising multiple requests with the ability to problem solve and troubleshoot.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

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

A good understanding of the drug development process Experience in design and execution of 22+ colour flow cytometry panels, including receptor occupancy assays. Strong laboratory experience and understanding of clinical and non-clinical flow cytometry biomarker assay development, validation and implementation with firsthand practical experience with the Cytek Aurora. Direct experience with high-dimensional data analysis (e.g. tSNE, UMAP, CITRUS, FlowSOM). Experience of technology transfer of flow cytometry assays to Contract Research Organisations. Experience of writing SOPs and other regulated documents.

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.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are open to all talent. In the US, we also adhere to Affirmative Action principles. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to neurodiversity, race/ethnicity, colour, national origin, religion, gender, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, disability, genetic information, military service, covered/protected veteran status or any other federal, state or local protected class*(*US only).

We believe in an agile working culture for all our roles. If flexibility is important to you, we encourage you to explore with our hiring team what the opportunities are.

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