Senior Director, Head of US Immunology

Company: GlaxoSmithKline
Location: Rockville
Posted on: May 26, 2023

Job Description:

Site Name: USA - Maryland - RockvillePosted Date: May 19 2023Head of ImmunologyThe Preclinical R&D department, including the Immunology group, works in a matrix environment to support Project Teams developing a rich pipeline of new vaccine assets that meet important medical needs. In addition, Preclinical R&D is at the forefront of vaccine discovery, by using and establishing state of the art technological capabilities. Within Preclinical R&D, the Function Head, Immunology, will provide leadership, direction and vision to a multidisciplinary team of highly skilled scientists and technicians deciphering immune responses linked to vaccination. The candidate is expected to demonstrate significant expertise in disciplines that underpin modern vaccine development, including but not limited to:

• Analysis of cell-mediated immunity (innate and adaptive)
• Serological assays for measurement of antibody responses (binding and functional antibodies, systems serology), cytokines and other analytes
• Cell-based assays
• High parametric flow cytometry
• Assay development and qualification
• In vivo studiesThe Function Head, Immunology, will guide the team on the development of experimental designs and analysis/interpretation of the results. In addition, he/she will be accountable for overseeing the preparation and review of relevant documents related to discovery and development (e.g., study and assay reports, regulatory documents, scientific publication, and others).In the scope of work, he/she will be responsible for creating and maintaining a network of collaborations with world-class scientists who will bring cutting-edge technology and ideas to bear on difficult vaccine development problems, thereby attracting external funding, and accelerating the availability of important new vaccine solutions.Additionally, this individual will lead and engage in productive cross-functional relationships with various teams within the organization such as the corresponding teams in the other R&D centers, Discovery and Development teams, Clinical teams, Regulatory platforms, Business Development and Global Patents.
  • Ensure timely delivery of high quality pre-clinical immunology data for Vaccines discovery and development teams, regulatory files, global patents, governing bodies and peer reviewed scientific journals.
  • Ensure high scientific & ethical standards throughout the unit, remain abreast of latest development and state of the art in own area of expertise to deliver best preclinical data packages to projects, according to project/R&D priorities.
  • Provide effective and inspiring leadership of the Immunology teams, ensure support to professional development and qualification of staff, while reinforcing wellbeing within the organization.
  • Act as leader and mentor, providing positive and constructive feedbacks to team members. Ability to handle difficult situations and seek resolution.
  • Plan and ensure appropriate internal and external resource allocation and prioritization to projects, according to GSK strategy.
  • Strong scientific leadership to ensure interface with key scientific internal and external stakeholders or interactions with external partner in the context of outsourcing of activities.
  • Foster collaboration with other Preclinical R&D members, as well as those from other partnering GSK departments, through sharing of knowledge, expertise and best practices.
  • Provide expert supports to filing of patents and submission of manuscripts to peer reviewed journals.Foster identification and leveraging of external (funding or scientific) opportunities allowing to support and accelerate preclinical discovery and development of new vaccines.Why you?Basic Qualifications: We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:
    • Ph.D. degree in life sciences, MD or DVM with scientific track record and 5-year experience in Vaccine industryPreferred Qualifications:If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus:
      • Advanced training (e.g., post-doc) in infectious diseases (virology, bacteriology, parasitology) and 10-year experience in Vaccine industry
      • Management skills and leadership qualities are an essential requirement, including strategic vision, integrity, flexibility and innovative/creative approach to problem solving
      • Cellular immunology, assay development, ligand binding assays, functional assays, cell-based assays, animal models, flow cytometry
      • Lead simultaneously research and development projects within the area of expertise.
      • Experience in managing scientific teams with multiple hierarchical levels.
      • Lead projects and implement strategies at high level within a complex matrix organization.
      • Track record in assay validation and qualification, and establishment of animal models.
      • Results-oriented work ethic, "can-do" and continuous improvement attitude
      • Decision making ability, and ability to convincingly communicate the strategy, recommendations and decisions within the respective area, to Governing Bodies and to Senior Management. Must be able to clearly articulate the strategy and rationale to the staff within own unit.
      • Create a work environment that attracts and retains the best people and delivers outstanding performance
      • Must foster a large, complex, yet efficient network across a global multi-cultural organization and demonstrate highly developed management and strategic influencing skills.
      • Expected to deliver accurate and credible scientific communication outside GSK, requiring a solid scientific reputation and a comprehensive network outside the organization.
      • Outside communication includes scientific peer reviewed publications, conference presentations and contacts with other stakeholders including media
      • Basic statistics training; fluent in EnglishGSK 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 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.If you require an accommodation or other assistance to apply for a job at GSK, please contact the GSK Service Centre at 1-877-694-7547 (US Toll Free) or +1 801 567 5155 (outside US).GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer and, in the US, we adhere to Affirmative Action principles. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, 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.Important notice to Employment businesses/ AgenciesGSK does not accept referrals from employment businesses and/or employment agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site. All employment businesses/agencies are required to contact GSK's commercial and general procurement/human resources department to obtain prior written authorization before referring any candidates to GSK. The obtaining of prior written authorization is a condition precedent to any agreement (verbal or written) between the employment business/ agency and GSK. In the absence of such written authorization being obtained any actions undertaken by the employment business/agency shall be deemed to have been performed without the consent or contractual agreement of GSK. GSK shall therefore not be liable for any fees arising from such actions or any fees arising from any referrals by employment businesses/agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site.Please note that if you are a US Licensed Healthcare Professional or Healthcare Professional as defined by the laws of the state issuing your license, GSK may be required to capture and report expenses GSK incurs, on your behalf, in the event you are afforded an interview for employment. This capture of applicable transfers of value is necessary to ensure GSK's compliance to all federal and state US Transparency requirements. For more information, please visit GSK's Transparency Reporting site.

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