Director, Translational Lead

Site Name: UK - Hertfordshire - Stevenage, USA - Pennsylvania - Upper Providence Posted Date: Nov 27 2024 Reporting to Executive Director of Translational Respiratory Immunology Translational Unit (RITU), the Director, Translational Lead will be responsible for innovative disease area translational initiatives to inform therapy area and programme biomarker strategies to increase the probability of success of preclinical to clinical transitions and allow for earlier and higher confidence project-related decision makings.
This will include generation of foundational data as well as disease biomarkers development and validation that allow timely deployment of tools/biomarkers that can support detection of Proof of Mechanism (PoM), signs of clinical efficacy, Proof of Concept (PoC), and pairing Mechanisms of Action (MoAs) with patient subtypes to predict rapid or complete responder populations in respiratory, immunology, or emerging specialities.
As a leader in RITU you will work closely across translational & biology lines, with GSK matrix partners, and external collaborators.
The individual will spearhead initiatives to increase portfolio value through the application of cutting-edge single cell technologies, techniques and analytics aligned to; complex in vitro models, tissues, biopsies and organs, to develop deeper disease knowledge to inform target pathways and candidate molecule packages/rationales rooted in human disease pathological relevance.
Key Responsibilities: Translational Leadership: Provide strategic leadership contributing to deep understanding of Disease areas enabling the development and execution of translational research disease strategies to support the discovery and development of novel differentiated therapeutics.
Translational innovation: Evaluate novel techniques and technologies (i.e.
spatial transcriptomics) to inform translational initiatives, biomarker development and validation working in collaboration with platform teams and within a multi-functional matrix environment.
Identify and guide validation of human assays (cells, tissues and organs) to enhance human translation and predictive value through the application of resources such as the Human Cell Atlas, disease tissue multi-omics data and genetic resources (external or proprietary).
Disease Biomarker Strategy Development: Partner with the Disease Teams, Research Technologies and Precision Medicine to identify, establish disease biomarkers for decision making throughout clinical development phases and aligned with the overall research and development goals.
This will include the identification, prioritisation and validation of disease relevant biomarkers, mechanistic/surrogate biomarkers, patient stratification, and differentiated response prediction.
Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Translational, Disease Teams, Human Genetics & Genomics, biology groups, platforms, HBSM, Precision Medicine, Data-Sciences, Regulatory Affairs, and Business Development and Commercial to ensure seamless integration of translational research and biomarker strategies across the drug development lifecycle.
External Partnerships: Establish and maintain strategic collaborations with academic institutions, contract research organizations (CROs), and other external partners to access cutting-edge technologies, tools, reagents, bio-samples, biomarker expertise, and research capabilities.
Foster a network of external experts and key opinion leaders to stay at the forefront of translational science and biomarker advancements, particularly competitors.
Contribute to evaluation and diligence of business development opportunities.
Matrix Leadership: Provide mentorship, guidance, and professional development opportunities to ensure a high-performing and motivated team.
Manage disease and project level resources, budgets, and timelines to ensure the successful execution of projects and achievement of milestones and RITU objectives.
Why you?
Basic Qualifications: We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals: Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., Cell/Molecular Biology, Genetics, Pharmacology, Physical Chemistry or related field) with extensive experience in translational science and biomarker development within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry Disease level understanding and knowledge in translational science/research and biomarkers demonstrated through publications and contributions to the field.
Technology expertise supporting the design and interpretation of data from several of the following methods/assays: DNA and RNA sequencing technologies, spatial histology or transcriptomics, single cell sequencing, and other emerging technologies and commercial platforms.
Proven track record of program decision making through implementing biomarker strategies and delivering translational science insights in support of drug progression through clinical transition milestones.
Experience leading/managing external collaborations.
Strong project and disease area management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage projects to meet timelines while maintaining attention to detail and high-performance standards.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex scientific concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences in a balanced, clear and precise manner, including effective stakeholder management.
Excellent inclusive leadership skills, with the ability to create psychological safety, inspire and motivate a multidisciplinary team of scientists towards achieving common goals.
Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, plus the ability to adapt to a fast-paced and evolving research environment.
Preferred Qualifications: If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus: Awareness of bioinformatic / computational methods supporting integrated analysis and interpretation of translational and biomarker-related data sets.
Knowledge of regulatory requirements, industry standards, best practices and compliance considerations in Translational Research and biomarker development and validation.
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