Head of MSAT Process Science Marburg (m/f/d)

GlaxoSmithKline LLC; Marburg; Hybrid; EUR 109,000 - 181,000; Full time

Job summary

GlaxoSmithKline LLC in Marburg, Germany, seeks Head of MSAT Process Science to lead the Marburg laboratories, develop capabilities and support products from development through lifecycle. The role combines strategic direction with hands-on laboratory oversight and cross-functional collaboration.

You will guide process science priorities, allocate resources, and ensure quality, safety and compliance across GMP operations in a complex site environment. Fluency in German and English is required.

Qualifications

• We are looking for MSc‑level scientists or engineers with pharma/biopharma exposure.
• Significant experience leading MSAT or GMP lab teams in regulated environments.
• Strong knowledge of vaccine manufacturing and process transfer, validation and lifecycle.
• Experience applying risk assessment, DOE, statistics and process modelling.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for MSAT Process Science laboratories in Marburg.
• Support manufacturing operations and drive proactive process improvements.
• Lead, coach and develop the laboratory team and budgets.
• Ensure compliance with GLP, data integrity and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee technology transfers and portfolio governance for manufacturing tech.

Skills

MSc in science/engineering

R&D in pharma/biopharma

Process development & MSAT leadership

Vaccine manufacturing knowledge

DOE (design of experiments)

Statistics & data analysis

Python or C++ coding

Agile/change management

German & English fluency

Education

MSc in science/engineering

PhD in related field

Tools

Python

C++

Statistical software

Job description

Business Introduction

We manufacture and supply reliable, high-quality medicines and vaccines to meet patients’ needs and drive our performance.

Our network of 37 medicines and vaccines manufacturing sites delivered 1.7 billion packs of medicines and 409 million vaccine doses in 2024 to help make a positive impact on the health of millions of people. Our supply chain is not just core to our operations; it’s vital to bringing our innovations to patients as quickly, efficiently and effectively as possible. Technology is transforming how we manufacture medicines and vaccines, enabling us to increase the speed, quality and scale of product supply.

We need the very best minds and capability to help us on our journey to make more complex products, harnessing the power of smart manufacturing technologies including robotics, digital solutions and artificial intelligence to deliver for patients.

Position Summary

As Head of MSAT Process Science, you will lead the MSAT Process Science laboratories in Marburg. You will provide scientific and people leadership, support manufacturing operations, drive proactive process improvements through laboratory studies, and investigate and resolve complex manufacturing challenges.

You will strengthen Process Science capabilities across four pillars: process knowledge; people competency and capacity; laboratory infrastructure; and internal and external networking capability. You will ensure that laboratory priorities, resources and capabilities remain aligned with product and platform portfolio needs.

In this role, your key responsibilities will include:

• Fulfil the employer’s occupational health and safety duties for MSAT Process Science, including preventing work-related accidents and diseases and implementing necessary health measures.
• Provide long-term strategic direction and technical input to Manufacturing Support Teams, local MSAT communities and Molecule Steward groups to support product lifecycle decisions across the relevant portfolio, including viral vaccines such as measles, mumps and rubella, recombinant proteins for Bexsero, and conjugate vaccines.
• Ensure technical and scientific support for commercial manufacturing technology transfers, including comprehensive product technical assessments and the sharing of data, product knowledge and process expertise.
• Lead technical and laboratory resources to deliver product-related projects and changes.
• Lead, coach and develop a multidisciplinary laboratory team; establish clear objectives, succession and capability plans, and an inclusive, accountable culture.
• Own laboratory strategy, capacity planning, resource prioritization and budget stewardship, including equipment lifecycle, maintenance, qualification and future capability investments.
• Ensure laboratory activities, methods, documentation, data and computerized systems comply with applicable GLP, data integrity, quality and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee scientifically rigorous study design, execution, interpretation and reporting, applying risk assessment, design of experiments, statistical analysis and process modelling where appropriate.
• Provide technical leadership on governance committees and decision-making bodies.
• Manage the portfolio of manufacturing technologies and innovations.
• Provide technical oversight and leadership for manufacturing operations, commercial contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) and manufacturing partners to help achieve business objectives.
• Develop and govern harmonized business processes and tools for technical manufacturing support, technology transfer, product lifecycle management and innovation management.
• Build effective technical relationships across Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, R&D, Engineering, Digital/Data, other MSAT teams, external partners and sites.
• Ensure appropriate GSP, housekeeping and safety standards within your areas of responsibility, in accordance with company requirements and applicable national and international regulations.

Additional information

• Reporting line: Biologics Platform Technologies Head
• Position level: Director
• People management: approximately 16 direct reports
• Primary location: Marburg Main Site (Germany)
• Secondary location: N/A
• Working arrangement: hybrid
• Business travel: limited
• Languages: fluent German and English, spoken and written

Why You?

Basic Qualifications

We are looking for professionals with the following skills and qualifications:

• MSc, preferably in science, engineering or pharmaceutical technology, or equivalent experience
• Substantial experience in pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical R&D, Process Development, MSAT or commercial manufacturing in a regulated environment
• Demonstrated experience leading process‑science or laboratory teams and delivering through cross-functional and matrix organizations
• Strong operational leadership, people development, resource prioritization and stakeholder-influence experience at senior level
• Strong scientific knowledge of vaccine manufacturing, process characterization, analytical testing, technology transfer, validation and product lifecycle management
• Experience applying risk management, root‑cause analysis, design of experiments, process modelling and statistics to manufacturing and laboratory challenges
• Experience with statistical and data‑analysis software; coding experience in Python, C++ or similar tools is an advantage
• Understanding of complex transformation and change management projects
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and apply an agile mindset in a complex site environment
• Digital fluency, with a strong understanding of data integrity and the use of digital tools in a regulated laboratory environment
• Fluency in German and English, spoken and written (mandatory requirement)

Preferred Qualifications

The following qualifications and attributes would be an advantage:

• PhD in pharmacy, pharmaceutical technology, chemical or biochemical engineering, chemistry, life sciences, or a related discipline
• Significant experience leading a GMP laboratory, process‑science function or comparable technical organization, ideally supporting vaccines or biologics
• Ability to influence a wide range of stakeholders, communicate clearly and demonstrate resilience
• A proactive, agile and independent approach, with a strong focus on delivering results
• Ability to offer objective perspectives and practical solutions to challenges across functions and business areas
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

What you will bring

You will bring scientific expertise, a collaborative leadership approach and a commitment to safe, high-quality manufacturing. You will connect teams across sites, translate process knowledge into practical improvements and strengthen the capabilities needed to support reliable product supply.

Application end date

Sunday, 6 December 2026, end of day CET

Skills

Digital Fluency, German Language, Manufacturing Processes, Manufacturing Production, Manufacturing Technologies, People Leadership, People Management, Research and Development, Technology Transfer

Germany Salary Range / Gehaltsbandbreiten Deutschland: EUR 108,750 to EUR 181,250The annual gross base salary range for new hires in this position is listed above for each applicable location. These ranges take into account a number of factors including the candidate’s skills, experience, education level and the market rate for the role. In addition, this position may offer an annual bonus and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program which is dependent on the level of the role. More detailed information on the total benefits package will be supplied during the recruitment process. This role is available for applicants from multiple locations, and therefore salary ranges for certain locations are also shown. Salary ranges for other locations are shown because some markets have pay transparency laws that require salary information on job postings, and those locations are potential job sites for this role. If salary ranges are not displayed in the job posting for a specific location or country, the relevant compensation will be discussed during the recruitment process. Please note salaries vary by country based on the candidate’s skills, experience, education level and the market rate for the role. Offers are typically made within the advertised range based on the candidate’s skills, experience and qualifications, with the upper end generally reserved for highly experienced candidates or other exceptional circumstances aligned with these criteria.Der jährliche Brutto - Grundgehaltsrahmen für Neueinstellungen in dieser Position ist oben für jeden relevanten Standort ausgewiesen. Diese Gehaltsspannen berücksichtigen eine Reihe von Faktoren, basierend auf den Fähigkeiten, der Berufserfahrung, der Ausbildung und Qualifikation der Kandidatinnen sowie der marktüblichen Vergütung für diese Rolle. Zusätzlich kann diese Position u.a. einen jährlichen Bonus, Urlaubsgeld, eine betriebliche Altersvorsorge sowie die Berechtigung zur Teilnahme an unserem aktienbasierten Long-Term Incentive-Programm beinhalten; dies ist abhängig von der Rolle. Detailliertere Informationen zum gesamten Vergütungspaket werden während des Rekrutierungsprozesses bereitgestellt. Wenn eine Position an mehreren Standorten bzw. in mehreren Ländern ausgeübt werden kann, werden die entsprechenden Gehaltsspannen für diese Länder/Standorte angezeigt. Zusätzlich können weitere Gehaltsspannen eingeblendet werden, wenn für bestimmte Märkte gesetzliche Vorgaben zur Entgelttransparenz gelten und diese Standorte als mögliche Einsatzorte für die Rolle in Betracht kommen. Wenn für einen bestimmten Standort oder ein bestimmtes Land in der Stellenausschreibung keine Gehaltsspannen angegeben sind, wird die entsprechende Vergütung im Rahmen des Rekrutierungsprozesses individuell besprochen. Bitte beachten Sie, dass die Gehälter je nach Land auf Grundlage der Fähigkeiten, Berufserfahrung, der Ausbildung und der Qualifikation der Kandidatinnen sowie der marktüblichen Vergütung für diese Rolle variieren. Angebote erfolgen in der Regel innerhalb der veröffentlichten Spanne unter Berücksichtigung der oben genannten Kriterien, wobei das obere Ende der Spanne im Allgemeinen sehr erfahrenen Kandidat*innen oder anderen außergewöhnlichen Konstellationen vorbehalten ist.

Why GSK?

Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We aim to positively impact the